Wildcats have experience, size on their side

The Harding Academy Wildcats hope to make it to the state tournament this year, and with a little consistency, coach Brad Francis said, he believes it’s a possibility. Francis, who is in the midst of his 11th season as head coach at Harding Academy, said the 3A-2 Conference team had a record of 18-9 last year. Returning starters include senior Travis Turley, senior Pate Fullerton, senior Peydon Harlow and junior Davis Morgan. “Travis Turley [is] 6-4, runs and moves very well, and also has the ability to step out on knockdown shots from the perimeter,” the coach said. “Pate Fullerton is probably our best outside shooter but is very athletic and can get to the rim also. Davis Morgan is 6-5 and very versatile, and he has the potential to score in several ways,” Francis said. “Peydon Harlow sees the floor well and can find the open man — he has the quickness and size to get to the rim and finish with enough of an outside shot that you can’t leave him open on the perimeter.” Team strengths include size, height and overall experience, he said, but the team’s lack of an experienced point guard is a definite weakness. The Wildcats have been working to improve in that area and develop over the summer, the coach said. Francis said games to watch will be Tuckerman, Southside Batesville, Riverview and Bald Knob. “[Tuckerman was] the 3A state runner-up last year and returns almost its entire team,” he said. “Batesville Southside was a very talented young team last year, and they return all of those players and will add a 6-8 player who was ineligible last season. “Riverview and Bald Knob are both talented teams, and their proximity to HA always adds an extra level of intensity in those games.” Francis said his team is focused on building on last season’s experience. “We have three talented and experienced seniors in Travis Turley, Pate Fullerton and Peydon Harlow, who should lead us, along with junior Davis Morgan,” the coach said. “Senior Jordan Ashmore brings great energy to the team, and Cole Myers has come out for his senior season and added depth to our inside game. “Our goal each year is to get to the state tournament and see what we can do from there. To accomplish this goal, we will need to be more consistent on offense and take better care of the basketball. Some of our less experienced players will need to develop quickly to provide some depth.”