Southerners look for next step in the tournament

Southside Batesville dominated the regular season last year, posting a 24-3 overall record and 17-1 in the conference, before falling to Little Rock eStem in the district tournament. Five starters return this year to give the team a chance to advance further in the postseason this go-round. Brad McGhee is in his 11th year at Southside. He returns starters Will Sitkowski, a junior guard; Alex Brogdon, a junior forward; Grant Patterson, a junior guard; and Koby Rich a junior guard; and part-time starter Matthew Holifield, a junior guard. Sitkowski, Brogdon and Patterson all averaged double-digit points per game last year. A newcomer could have just as much of an impact to the starting lineup, though. Tom Miholjcic is a 6-foot-10-inch post player who was ineligible to play last year but practiced with the team all year. “He has good size and length,” McGhee said. “He can score around the basket and shoot it out on the floor. He gives us good size in the paint on the offensive and defensive ends.” Brogdon should continue to be a force inside as well, at 6 feet 6 inches, the coach said. “He averaged double figures last year as a sophomore and was an all-conference selection,” McGhee said. “He has grown a couple inches since last year. He can play with his back to the basket, as well as step out on the floor and shoot it from the perimeter.” Sitkowski will be instrumental to the team’s success. He will bring the ball down the court and set up plays, the coach said. “He will run the point-guard position. He has great quickness and ball-handling skills,” McGhee said. “He is a passing and scoring point guard and was an all-conference selection last season.” The coach said Patterson is a scorer who can make things happen for other players. “He is an all-around offensive threat and can shoot it from the outside, as well as drive and score around the basket,” McGhee said. “He was an allconference selection last year.” Staying healthy may be the biggest key to success for the Southerners in 2017, McGhee said. The team is not deep, since only seven or eight players are in regular rotation. McGhee said he expects success from the young team, and several of the players have garnered interest from colleges. “We have good basketball skills, and our fundamentals are solid. They are a very competitive and driven group, and they continue to work hard to improve,” McGhee said.