Bison coach aims at getting team to the state tourney

The Carlisle Bison are coming off their best season in a decade, finishing 17-11 and qualifying for the state-sponsored postseason play for the first time since 2012. The 17 wins were the most since the 2012 season, with the team not having had double-digit victories in that 10-year time span.

Carlisle lost to Buffalo Island Central, 67-54, in the first round of the regional tournament last year.

“Our goal each year is to try to win a district championship and qualify for the regional tournament,” third-year Carlisle coach Jason Stewart said. Stewart previously coached at Hazen and DeValls Bluff before coming to Carlisle as an administrator. He got back into coaching prior to the start of the 2020-21 season.

“We hope to go one step further this year and qualify for the state tournament,” Stewart said.

The last time Carlisle played in the Class 2A State Tournament was 2010, the first year that Bison Arena was open and hosted the tournament.

Returning starters include senior guard David Hayes, who averaged 14 points per game last season, and senior center Braxton Cooney.

“David can shoot the 3, along with finishing at the rim,” Stewart said. “Braxton provides physical play inside and brings a level of toughness to the team.

“Our team strength is depth. We have several players who come off the bench that can help the team each night.”

Some of that depth includes senior Joseph Cook.

“He brings to the table all the intangibles of the court each night to help the team win,” Stewart said. “TJ Barnett and Dylan White will have to continue to bring defensive energy off the bench. We have several sophomore guards who will play extended minutes this year and provide depth and speed to the backcourt.”

Stewart said his team’s weakness is lack of experience at the guard spot.

“We have several young guards who are going to have to grow quickly this year,” Stewart said. “We lost three starting guards and two forwards to graduation last year.”

Carlisle will open the season Nov. 8 at home against the Bradford Eagles. The Bison will open 2A-6 Conference play Dec. 2 at home against Marianna.

“Barton and Marianna are the top teams in the conference once again,” Stewart said. “Palestine Wheatley has joined the conference, and the Patriots are well-coached and will be tough in the conference this year.”

Carlisle’s rivalry games with Des Arc and Hazen will be ones to watch, Stewart said.

The Bison will play in two tournaments during the regular season. They will host the Carlisle Invitational Nov. 28-Dec. 3 and play at Clarendon during Christmas break.

The Bison will play Des Arc at home Dec. 16 and at Des Arc on Jan. 25. They will play at Hazen on Dec. 13, then host the Hornets on Jan. 24.

“We are going to play hard each night, and we hope to improve throughout the year and be peaking around the district tournament,” Stewart said. “This team is a mixture of seniors who have experience and players who have not played much at the senior high level.”