Leopards hope young base can propel team
Senior Demias Jimerson is known for his exploits on the football field. In sixth grade, the Madre Hill rule was invoked because of his prowess. The rule, named for the former Malvern Leopard and Oakland Raider, limits the number of touchdowns a single player can make when a team is ahead. The versatile Jimerson also stars on the basketball team, but he can’t do it alone. A young Leopards team is poised to improve on their 13-11 record from a year ago with help from the youth on the team. Jimerson averages 11 points and 4.6 rebounds a game at the guard position. Behind him, a young nucleus of players provides much-needed depth. “New year, different group of kids,” coach
Chris Meseke said. “We are always looking forward and setting new goals. We work hard to reach them.” The Leopards play in the 4A-7 Conference, where they were cellar dwellers last year. Nashville won the conference but fell in its first playoff game a year ago. Meseke said the Leopards will rely on their shooting ability to sport a strong offense and will use their depth to make substitutions and keep fresh legs in on defense. The team lacks experience and size, but Meseke said he plans to play an uptempo style to help mask those weaknesses. Last year, the Leopards suffered three onepoint defeats in a row. Ashdown, Arkadelphia and Glen Rose all beat Malvern with the same score, 40-39. That losing skid came after a three-game winning streak to start the season. The Leopards chased .500 the rest of the season and finished two games over.