New Badgers head coach excited about what his team can accomplish

For the third time in three seasons, the Beebe Badgers have a different coach, but it is one who is familiar with the program. Austin Harrell, who coached the Beebe Junior High boys team last season, was promoted to head coach after the retirement of Roger Franks, who coached the team one year, taking over for former coach and current athletic director Ryan Marshall.

Harrell was previously the head coach at Des Arc and Rose Bud. He’s the son of former Lonoke, Greenwood and Camden Fairview coach Derek Harrell, who won two state titles at Lonoke.

“I’ve got a lot to look forward to,” Austin Harrell said when he was hired as the Beebe head coach.

A year ago under Franks, the Badgers finished 14-11 and tied for third in the 5A-Central Conference with Sylvan Hills and Jacksonville. However, the Badgers missed the state tournament because of losing a tiebreaker with the Bears and Titans.

The Badgers are also without former leading scorer and all-state performer Rylie Marshall, who graduated and is now playing at Harding University in Searcy. Marshall averaged 18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Beebe returns only one starter in senior guard Zack Brewer.

“Zack started for us last year before getting injured and missing the remainder of the season,” Harrell said. “He brings experience, toughness and leadership to the team.”

Brewer averaged 5 points per game before getting hurt.

Harrell said his best outside players are Brewer and seniors Landyn Gordon, Abram Chapman, Brayden Hall and Hunter Schettler.

“Each of these guys brings something to the table,” Harrell said. “Zack brings experience, toughness and leadership and can score for us. Landyn brings competitiveness and is able to score. Abram brings athleticism and is a good rebounder from the guard spot. Hunter will be able to help us as point guard this year and has a good feel for what we are trying to accomplish. Brayden is a crafty guard that is able to score offensively and get deflections as a longer defender for a guard.”

Despite having only one starter back, Harrell said, his team is an older group.

“They have been able to compete in practice the past couple of years with another veteran group who was successful here at Beebe,” Harrell said. “These guys understand what it will take for us to be successful. However, this is an older group but is also an inexperienced group. It is going to take all of us each night to be successful.” Harrell said every game this season will be tough. “We have a strong schedule,” he said. “Class 5A basketball is tough, regardless. We have to bring it every night.”

Harrell said his team should compete hard every game.

“We will be able to rotate several different guys into the lineup each night who will give maximum effort and play with toughness,” he said. “We are becoming a better team each day. I am excited for this season and to see what this team can accomplish.”

We have a strong schedule. Class 5A basketball is tough, regardless. We have to bring it every night.”

AUSTIN HARRELL BEEBE BADGERS HEAD COACH