Mustangs seeking improvement in coach’s second year
Bradley Spencer’s second Central Arkansas Christian squad hopes to improve on last season’s 10-14 finish that left the Mustangs out of the postseason. “Our goal is to exceed what we were able to accomplish last year,” Spencer said. “We have more length on the perimeter than last year that will, hopefully, allow us to be better on the defensive end.” The Mustangs’ season ended last year in the quarterfinals of the 4A-2 district tournament against Baptist Prep, which went on to win the Class 4A state tournament. Just one starter returns at Mustang Mountain, but he’s a good one, Spencer said. Kam Vick, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 18 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds per game as a junior. “He is our best outside player,” Spencer said. “Kam has the ability to take defenders off the bounce on the perimeter and also stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability.” Spencer said he thinks Vick could play collegiately. “I believe he has the ability to continue playing at the next level,” the coach said. “He has a very competitive work ethic.” Inside, the Mustangs will look to Jacob Hale, a 6-3 junior forward. “Jacob is our best inside player,” Spencer said. “He is long and athletic. He is our most athletic player and has a high motor to create opportunities at the glass for us this year.” The major team strength, the coach said, will be versatility. “We can use multiple people in different positions,” he said. The Mustangs’ major weakness is a lack of height. “We plan to overcome this weakness by trying to force turnovers on the perimeter with pressure,” Spencer said. CAC plays in the 4A-2 against Baptist Prep, Little Rock e-Stem, Heber Springs, Helena-West Helena Central, Lonoke, Riverview, Southside Batesville and Stuttgart. Only Baptist Prep reached the state tournament last year. The Eagles won the 4A-2. Helena-West Helena Central was second, with eStem third and Lonoke fourth, but those three failed to come out of the Class 4A East Regional. The Mustangs will also play in combined classification 3A-4A District 9 with Baptist Prep, Bauxite, Episcopal Collegiate, eStem, LISA Academy, Lonoke, Mayflower and Little Rock Joe T. Robinson. “Every game is a game to watch because you never know what could happen,” Spencer said. “Every opponent we face is our toughest opponent. We never want to overlook or overestimate our opponent.” So what can fans expect of the Mustangs this season? “Expect to see a young team that enjoys playing with one another,” Spencer said. “This team is willing to work hard for each other and lay it on the line for one another. We will have to play through some young growing pains, but once we figure out how to grow from our youth, we will create a nice product.” CAC will open the season at Class 7A Little Rock Catholic on Nov. 14.
Our goal is to exceed what we were able to accomplish last year.”
BRADLEY SPENCER CAC BOYS COACH