Coach has high expectations for season
The Riverview boys basketball team was one possession away from competing in the 4A state championship last year. Six of the nine players from last year’s team are returning, and sixth-year head coach Tommy Coleman said he expects big things from this year’s team. “We lack size every year. It is nothing new for us,” Coleman said. “We scheme and gameplan around it if we think a team can hurt us with their size. “Also, our players have put in a lot of hard work in the offseason to get better and stronger to improve their physicality.” Riverview finished 28-7 last year, making it to the 4A state semifinals. Returning starters this year include junior Quinton Brown, who averaged 12 points per game; and junior Ashton Williams and senior Seth Vaughn, who both averaged 10 points per game last year. “Seth and Sincere Brookins are both seniors who know our scheme and will play anywhere on the court for us,” Coleman said. “They are strong and understand their role in the offense when we put them inside. “Vaughn is a guard but will go inside for us when we need him to.” The coach said Brown is very quick, has good size and strength, and has a very high motor. “He is a great finisher at the rim and a playmaker in transition,” Coleman said. “Junior Myles Arnett has a high basketball IQ, along with high basketball skills, including dribbling, passing and shooting,” Coleman said. “Myles has great court awareness and makes plays for others.” The coach said Williams is “quick, relentless and a tough player.” “He loves to compete at a high level,” Coleman said. “We have five guards who can dribble, pass and shoot very well. “They can create their own shot and put the ball in the hole.” The coach said the biggest game to watch this season will be on Nov. 12, when Riverview hosts Mountain Home. “This game will a very good nonconference game for us,” Coleman said. “Mountain Home will be patient on the offensive end, have a lot of size and be disciplined. This game will allow use to assess our team very early in the season and figure out where we need to make adjustments and improve.” Riverview will compete in a tournament in Brookland in November and will face teams such as Brookland, Baptist Prep, Wynne and Blytheville. “Any team we match up with in that tournament will be very tough,” Coleman said. “We got into this tournament in early November for the tough challenge. “All of the teams in the tournament have great players and compete at a high level every season.” He also said Riverview will face Jonesboro Westside on the road right before the district tournament. Westside returns their top two players from last season. “We scheduled this game to play against great guard play right before we enter into postseason play,” Coleman said. Coleman said Riverview is an experienced group that works hard to improve on a daily basis. “They are competitors, tough and have high basketball skill,” he said.