Conway, Ark.- As the temperature drops and the leaves fall, basketball season approaches, creating a buzz around Thad McCracken’s squad. The Warrior basketball team is generating excitement as they bring back all of their starters from the previous season, along with much of their bench. The only loss from last year’s squad is locker room leader Jason Gibson.
“I am truly excited for this season. Although we are still a young team, we have plenty of experience from last season,” says Coach McCracken. “The guys have shown dedication to improving their skills and physical fitness over the summer, and they have been working extremely hard in practice.”
When asked about the team’s biggest challenges for the season, Coach McCracken responded, “Staying healthy is obviously crucial for our success, but I am confident in our players and how well they work together. We have depth in every position, and our main challenge will be ensuring that the players embrace and excel in their individual roles.”
The Warriors welcome back three players who earned All-SAA recognition last year, led by Senior Tyler Deithloff, a second-team All-SAA selection who averaged 13 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The team is also excited to have Colten Berry return, the leading rebounder with 7 per game and an average of 9.3 points per game. Caleb Squires looks to build off his strong freshman campaign, finishing second on the team in scoring with an average of 9.8 points per game and shooting an impressive 92.2% from the free-throw line, which ranks second all-time in school history.
Last season, Daniel Cobb made his debut appearance, playing in 17 games and starting in 10 of them. He finished the season shooting 36% from the field and 39.7% from beyond the arc. Darvis Rasberry Jr. is eager to return to the court after missing last season due to injury.
The Warriors have also added five new players to the team this year, including transfer guard Max Chenault from Southeastern Oklahoma State, as well as Addison Shelton, Micah Gibbs, Ali Rasheed, and Zach Nolan.
The Warriors will begin their season at Grove Gymnasium against the Ozark Eagles. The two teams split their series last season, with each team claiming victory on their home court. Daniel Cobb led the Warriors to a win against the Eagles last season, scoring 17 points and making the game-winning three-pointer. Colten Berry had a game-high 11 rebounds and three blocks in that game. The matchup featured nine lead changes and four tied scores.
The game is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8th at 8:00 PM at Grove Gymnasium. Fans can catch the action on the Warrior Sports Network.
