2017-18 season to be building year for Trojans

With nearly half of the team graduating after the 2016-17 season, this year looks to be one defined by a younger team with a lot to learn. The Hot Springs Trojans may be young this season, but coach Rodney Echols still sees and is encouraged by the potential in this group, he said. Last year’s Trojans finished the season with an overall 22-13 record. Their season ended in a 47-52 loss against Little Rock Mills in the 5A boys basketball 2017 semifinals. “We’re looking to build off of last year’s semifinalist team,” Echols said. While the Trojans may be lacking in experience overall, Echols said, they’ll be able to make up for it with athleticism and quickness. Returning starters for the 2017-18 Trojans include sophomore Santiair Thomas, senior Curtis Frierson, senior Payton Hayes and junior Ramello Cason. Echols said Thomas averaged 12 points per game during the 5A South conference tournament last season. Hayes, being one of the Trojans’ best outside players, shot 43 percent from the 3-point line last season. Both Thomas and Hayes may be college prospects when the time comes, Echols said. Two sets of games when the Trojans will face their toughest opponents are the Fayetteville Tournament and the Paris Holiday Tournament, Echols said. Still, even looking at the schedule and the roster, Echols is optimistic about having a successful 2017-18 season. “This is a younger group that has a lot of potential,” Echols said. “They will be tested early and hope to build on the year for a conference championship run.”