Mountain View looking for chemistry in 2017
Mountain View’s Yellowjackets return three players with starting experience for 2017-18, but replacing another three from last year’s squad that finished 14-12 may be the key to the new season. “After losing three players, our success this year will depend on chemistry and staying healthy because of lack of depth at the guard position,” coach Jeff Morrow said. In 2016-17, the Yellowjackets finished 9-8 in conference play and saw their season end with a loss to Yellville-Summit, 59-51, in the opening round of the 3A-1 East district tournament. Returning starters from that team are Drew Adams, a 6-0 junior guard who averaged 5 points per game; Ryan Wilcox, a 5-10 senior guard who averaged 8.1 points per game; and Evan Isbell, a 6-4 senior post player who averaged 11.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Morrow said Isbell will lead the Yellowjackets inside. “He has a big body and good low-post skills with the ability to step outside,” the coach said. Outside, Wilcox will get the most attention. “He shoots it well,” Morrow said. “He is strong and can take it to the rack.” The Yellowjackets will play in the 3A-1 East Conference against Bergman, Clinton, Green Forest, Marshall, Melbourne, Valley Springs and Yellville-Summit. They will play their combined classification schedule in 3A-4A District 7 against Bald Knob, Cedar Ridge, Harding Academy, Heber Springs,
Newport, Riverview, Rose Bud, Southside Batesville and Tuckerman. “Our toughest opponents will be all the schools in our 3A-4A blended conference,” Morrow said. Last season, the Yellowjackets won combined conference games over Tuckerman, 57-54 and 53-40; Newport, 48-43 and 59-50; Cedar Ridge, 54-32 and 57-55; Bald Knob, 52-43; and Harding Academy, 55-52. Mountain View lost combined conference games to Rose Bud, 71-58 and 61-57; Southside Batesville, 65-42 and 60-38; Harding Academy, 40-30; Heber Springs, 56-46 and 66-42; Riverview, 42-38; and Bald Knob, 58-47. In 3A-1 East action, the Yellowjackets beat Melbourne in the season opener, 57-44; lost to Clinton, 37-25; and beat Melbourne again in December, 57-53. Mountain View will open the season Nov. 7 at Melbourne. The Yellowjackets will make their home debut Nov. 9 against Clinton. They’ll also travel to Southside Batesville on Nov. 14 and play host to Tuckerman on Nov. 16, Newport on Nov. 20 and Bald Knob on Nov. 21.