Hornets to have all new starting lineup this season
Coming off an impressive 27-5 season while going 13-2 in conference play, the Maumelle Hornets will have to do some reworking of its lineup and ball movement, as the team lost all of their starters from a year ago. Maumelle graduated nine seniors, most of whom were over 6-2, and return only one player with any varsity experience. Those who graduated include senior guard Tremont Robinson, who was named the 2017 River Valley & Ozark Edition Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Robinson lead the team in scoring, averaging 15.7 points per game, while adding 3.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game. Despite the loss of experience and height for the Maumelle Hornets, the team does have a lot of athleticism and drive for the upcoming season. Sixth-year head coach Michael Shook, who has amassed an incredible 177-38 record at Maumelle, said the team will rely on sophomore forward Marchello Porter, 6-3, 180 pounds, and junior forward Bryant Bell, 6-5, 225, on the interior. Shook described Porter as a high-energy guy who runs the floor well and can rebound, while Bell is strong with good size and a good midrange shot and the ability to rebound. On the perimeter, the Hornets will have a plethora of options when it comes to scoring. Junior forward Brahm Harris, 6-3, 185, possesses a well-rounded inside-out game with the ability to shoot and be a leader on the floor. Junior guard Jabari Barnes, 5-10, 140, is described by Shook as being super quick and shifty, while seeing the floor well and playing as a great ball handler while finishing well around the basket. Sophomore guard Tre Flowers, 6-0, 155, boosts the team’s overall athleticism and can score in many ways. Shook said Flowers is a great competitor and can help the team with his leadership qualities. Senior guard Terrell Curtis, 6-0, 165, gives the Hornets yet another scoring option with his catch-and-shoot ability, while also being able to get to the basket. Curtis is a versatile player who could prove to be tough to guard. Sophomore guard Cortney Lawrence, 5-11, 145, helps Maumelle tremendously on the defensive end, while being able to get to the basket well on the offense end, too. Lawrence’s passing ability also helps to get the ball where it needs to go. Sophomore guard Jathen Mills, 6-0, 155, is said to have a high motor with leadership abilities, competitiveness and shooting ability, while doing all the little things right. Shook said the team is extremely hardworking, competitive, coachable and hungry, with good chemistry, solid depth and quickness. He added that the team will be lacking in experience but will try to combat that early in the season. “We will play a lot of guys early in the season to get experience and let us see who can produce the way we need,” he said. “We will try to use our quickness and play fast to counter the lack of size. We have been working hard in the weight room and will continue to do it because we have a long way to go.” Early games will be key for the Maumelle Hornets, including games against Morrilton, Vilonia and Greenbrier. These matchups will play a huge role in determining seeding for the conference tournament at the end of the season, Shook said. Other tough opponents include Parkview, who Shook said has “the best roster in the 5A again this year,” Little Rock Christian, Hall and Jacksonville. Watch Maumelle to potentially struggle early in the season as the team gets its footing. With Shook at the helm and the team possessing great athleticism, the Hornets should continue to be competitive in the 5A-West and 5A/6A Central blended conference. Maumelle should have no trouble getting up and down the floor while putting lots of points on the board. “It will be tough to top last year’s record or achievements, but this group is young and competitive,” Shook said. “They will work hard to prove a lot of doubters wrong. We are a young, hungry team. It’s a double-edged sword. The guys are so young, they don’t know they aren’t supposed to be as good as we have been over the years, but they are competitors who are going to leave it all on the court and surprise a lot of people.” Shook added that the group of players he has coming in this season are more than just good athletes. “They care about each other individually and the team as a whole,” he said. “They are high-character kids who are fun to be around. They are committed to working hard to continue building the program up here at Maumelle.” The Maumelle Hornets, with an all-new athletic, energetic and competitive starting lineup, will likely be a fun team to watch.
It will be tough to top last year’s record or achievements, but this group is young and competitive.”
MICHAEL SHOOK MAUMELLE BOYS COACH