Many questions still loom for untested Hornets
Bryant seniors Sam Chumley and Deron Canada spent four months accomplishing an almost impossible goal — making 10,000 shots before the start of the new school year. “I issued that challenge to the team as a whole,” Bryant head coach Mike Abrahamson said. “Those are the only two that got it done. It is a huge challenge because it’s making, not taking. “They were in here all the way up to that first week of school. I had some other guys who were on track to get it done, but with their schedule, they weren’t able to finish it out. “I like the work ethic of this group and their character.” Bryant finished last season 18-11, making it to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Fort Smith Northside. Chumley is the only starter coming back from last year. “We lost eight seniors to graduation,” Abrahamson said. “We’ve got a whole brandnew team. “We only have one starter returning — but he didn’t start most games but started toward the end — in Sam Chumley.” Chumley and Canada are in their third year playing for Abrahamson. “They’ve heard the same messages,” the coach said. “They are the best leaders we’ve had in the preseason in quite some time, maybe as a duo. “They are doing a good job of helping new players learn the way we play. That helps a lot. They have a comfort level with what we are trying to do. It is like having two more assistant coaches.” Abrahamson said the duo have put in a lot of time over the offseason. “They’ve grown stronger,” he said. “They are doing everything we are asking them to do right now.” Junior Rodney Lamber played a little bit last year but has made a big jump in everything he does — from the way he practices to his strength, shooting and defensive effort,” Abrahamson said. “He’s really seemed to make a big jump this offseason. “He will be counted on a lot more this year.” Sophomore Khalen Robinson is a transfer from Episcopal Collegiate in Little Rock. “He is really good,” Abrahamson said. “We are happy to have him. He is an explosive guard and very athletic. “He has just fit right in and carries himself well. Not only is he a good player, but he is a great teammate, so it is enjoyable to have him so far.” Ninth-grader Camren Hunter will be moved up to varsity to start as a guard for the Hornets. “He is very skilled and has great court vision,” Abrahamson said. “He’s going to be a good player.” Sophomore Catrell Wallace is the tallest player on the team at 6-6 but is currently playing football. “He will be a difference maker for us
whenever we can get him,” the coach said. “Football looks like they are going to make a deep run, so we may not get him anytime soon, but that’s OK.” After those six, Abrahamson said, it is really up in the air who will see playing time. “We have a bunch of sophomores, and it is up to them who claims minutes,” he said. “We have several possibilities, but it is going to be up to them to show coaches and teammates that they can be trusted out there to do what they are supposed to do and contribute to success.” Abrahamson, who is in his eighth season as head coach, said it has been a very different preseason but also an enjoyable one. “Those top guys that I have mentioned to you, they are working hard and are very coachable,” Abrahamson said. “There is some talent there. On a daily basis, they really prove over and over again that they all want to be on the same page as me.” The coach said they are doing the things that he asked for them to do. “They communicate and give great effort and work on the details,” he said. “So those guys have been really fun to be around. “It is a challenge. It is a whole new team. I don’t have a clear picture of what it is going to be like because none of them has been in the situation we are now, but I do think that we have a chance to be a competitive team.” Bryant will open the season at Greenbrier on Nov. 28, then travel to Bentonville that weekend for a tournament. “There were a lot of question marks coming into this season,” Abrahamson said. “Now the question marks are not so much who I think will play, but how they are going to do when they get out there, in front of a crowd, against varsity competition. “I think we will handle it fine, but we will feel a lot better once we see it.”