Warriors Basketball Season Opener
Anticipation in the Air
Conway, Arkansas - As the temperature cools and leaves gracefully fall, it's a clear sign that basketball season is just around the corner. The excitement is palpable within Thad McCracken's team, as they gear up for a promising season. The Warrior basketball squad has everyone buzzing, boasting the return of all their starters from the previous season, in addition to most of their bench players. The only notable absence is the former locker room leader, Jason Gibson, who graduated from last year's team.
Coach McCracken's Confidence
A Youthful Yet Experienced Team
Basketball coach McCracken shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, saying, "I am really excited for this season. We are still a pretty young team, but we have a good bit of experience back from last season. The guys all seemed to have put in a lot of effort on their games as well as their bodies over the summer and have really been working hard so far in practice."
Challenges on the Horizon
Balancing Health and Roles
When asked about the season's potential challenges, Coach McCracken responded, "Obviously, staying healthy will be an important key for us, but I like our pieces, and I like how they have been coming together. We have a good bit of depth at every position, and our biggest challenge will be with respect to how guys handle and accept their individual roles."
Returning All-Stars
Key Players to Watch
The Warriors boast three returning players who earned All-SAA honors last year. Leading the charge is Senior Tyler Deithloff, a 2nd Team All-SAA selection who averaged an impressive 13 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Warriors also welcome back the big man, Colten Berry, who led the team in rebounds with an average of 7 per game and contributed 9.3 points per game. Caleb Squires, building on his promising freshman season, ended last year as the team's second-highest scorer, with an average of 9.8 points per game and an exceptional free-throw shooting percentage of 92.2%, ranking second all-time in school history.
New Additions to the Team
Fresh Faces and Talent
Last season, Daniel Cobb finally had his debut appearance, playing in 17 games and starting in 10 of them. Cobb finished the year with a 36% field goal shooting rate and a notable 39.7% success rate from behind the three-point line. The team is also looking forward to having Darvis Rasberry Jr. back on the court after he missed last season due to injury.
The Warriors have added five new players to their roster this year, including transfer guard Max Chenault, who previously played at Southeastern Oklahoma State. The other additions are Addison Shelton, Micah Gibbs, Ali Rasheed, and Zach Nolan.
The Warriors have added five new players to their roster this year, including transfer guard Max Chenault, who previously played at Southeastern Oklahoma State. The other additions are Addison Shelton, Micah Gibbs, Ali Rasheed, and Zach Nolan.
The Season Opener
A Rematch with the Ozark Eagles
The Warriors will kick off their season at Grove Gymnasium, facing the Ozark Eagles. Last season, the two teams split the series, each securing a win on their home court. In their victory against the Eagles, Daniel Cobb played a crucial role, scoring 17 points and sealing the win with a three-pointer. Colten Berry had an outstanding game with a game-high 11 rebounds and three blocks. The game featured nine lead changes and four tied scores.
Save the Date
Don't Miss the Action
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 8th, at 8:00 PM when the Warriors take on the Ozarks at Grove Gymnasium. You can catch all the action on the Warrior Sports Network.
