Former player returns to coach Vilonia

Jeremy Simon is a new face on the Vilonia coaching staff, but he’s a familiar face in the community, where he grew up. “This is my first season here with the Vilonia Eagles, and I am excited to be back in my hometown and coaching the team I used to play on,” Simon said. “I have a lot of pride for this school, and I want to see the Eagles basketball program succeed. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication from our players.” Last season, the Eagles were 13-14 in the 5A West. Simon, who has compiled a record of 314-93 at Sacred Heart and Wonderview combined, will be assisted by Heath Hagan, Lenny Cooper and Josh McEntire. “I am excited about the team we have this year,” Simon said, “and I think we have some guys up here right now who are capable of doing really good things.” Two of those guys are returning starters: Caleb Barrow is a 6-3 senior. Barrow led the team in rebounding last season with 4.9 rebounds per game, and he also averaged 7 points per game. Trey Kelley, a 6-4 senior, led the team last year in scoring, averaging 9 points per game. He also averaged 4 rebounds per game. Kelley will play on the inside for the Eagles this season, the coach said. “He is very strong around the rim and knows how to use his body to gain position,” Simon said. “He has a soft touch and can shoot it well outside if needed. Trey is a great leader for this team on and off the floor, and I look for him to do great things for us this season.” Barrow will play several positions, Simon said, “but I think his strength will be scoring around the rim. He is very good at penetrating and can also score by posting up with his back to the basket. He is a streaky shooter, but when he is on, he can be tough to guard. When our offense is not clicking, I will look for him to make something happen. He is a very confident player that I am counting on to lead this team.” Simon also highlighted other players. Josh Albat, a 6-1 senior, is a “very physical basketball player on both ends of the floor” and a “tough defensive player” who is good at posting up around the rim and finding a way to score, Simon said, adding that the team will rely on Albat in big games. Austin Koonce, a 6-3 junior, is “one of the best athletes on the team,” the coach said. Koonce can play a variety of positions. “Austin is a very explosive player and is looking to make a big impact on this year’s team,” Simon said. “He is capable of being the best player on the floor on any given night.” Austin Wader, a 6-5 left-handed junior, is one of two players on the team who will rebound on every shot, Simon said. “He is that guy who will get many rebound stick-backs and extra possessions for this team,” the coach said. “We need more guys who hit the boards as hard as Austin does if we want to be successful this year.” Corbin Watson, a 6-3 junior, has the drive that coaches love, Simon said. “Corbin is a guy who will run through the wall if you want him to,” the coach said. “Like Austin Wader — he is the other guy who will rebound on every shot. Corbin is tough as nails and is a very physical player on both ends of the floor. Go-to guys on the perimeter include Landon Hill, a 6-1 junior, who will likely play the second guard position, Simon said. “He is a good shooter right now and will, hopefully, be a great shooter before the end of the year,” Simon said. “He is capable of pulling up off the dribble or driving to the rim.” Tyler Moran, a 6-0 junior, will likely run the point-guard position, the coach said. “He is a player who is capable of taking over a game,” Simon said. “He is very shifty and knows how to get to the rim. He is a good shooter and will likely have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. He is that guy who will make everyone around him better.” Simon said he’s excited about Gram Middleton, a 6-6 sophomore.

“He is a good shooter, and he sees the floor as good as anyone on the team,” the coach said. “Gram is capable of playing many positions and, with his size, could create some bad matchup situations for our opponents. Gram has great court awareness and knows the game.” Jordan Britton, a 5-11 senior, “is a lockdown defensive player and will likely play the role of guarding the other team’s best player,” Simon said. “He plays with determination, and I look for him to have a big impact on this team. “The team’s strengths include depth and height, from 6-3 to 6-6, which bodes well for rebounding.” Last season, the Eagles averaged 31 rebounds a game to their opponents’ 28. “One of the things we are focusing on right now is our shooting and our shot selection,” Simon said. “This team shot the ball poorly last season,” with 64 percent from the free-throw line and 26 percent from the 3-point line. “Another thing we will have to do better at this season is ball control,” Simon said. “The Eagles averaged 14 turnovers a game last season, so we have to make better decisions with the ball and take care of it if we want to be successful.” Simon expects a packed house for the Jan. 8 home game against Beebe and for Greenbrier at home on Jan. 12. Tough nonconference matchups include Maumelle and West Memphis, he said. “None of our players has had a taste of the state tournament, so that would be a big accomplishment for us,” Simon said. “My goal right now is to get these guys to the 5A state tournament.”