New Cyclones coach expects competitive season
As Trent Morgan enters his first year as head coach of the Russellville Cyclones, he expects his team to be competitive and a contender for a fifth 5A West Conference title.
The Cyclones, who finished the 202122 season with a 22-7 record and a fourth conference title, are returning only two players from last year’s varsity, while the rest of the team saw only junior-varsity playing time. Although the Cyclones might be young in terms of experience, Morgan believes that what they lack in experience, they make up for with toughness.
“Toughness is one of our strengths,” Morgan said. “Our kids worked really hard this summer and preseason, on and off the court. So we expect them to be in great shape and be physically and mentally tougher than our opponents.”
Morgan said his team is also senior-heavy, with Caleb Carter, 6-3, leading the way as a returning starter who averaged 4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist per game last season. Morgan added that Carter has been a vital part of the team for the past few years and will have a heavy presence again this year.
Junior Cam Frazier, 6-4, will also make a big impact for the Cyclones, the coach said. Frazier was a starter last season and averaged 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block per game. He also plays for the Arkansas Hawks on the Adidas circuit, making him a possible college prospect coming out of this season.
“Cam is so athletic and gets his hands on so many basketballs offensively and defensively,” Morgan said.
Fraizer will be joined on the inside by senior Jayden Berry, 6-6, and together, the two will be a force to be reckoned with, Morgan said. Berry “plays really hard” and has a “big body that enables him to be a solid post presence.”
On the perimeter, the Cyclones have 6-4 junior Akeilius Patterson, who Morgan said will be on the radar as another serious college prospect.
“[Patterson] can score the basketball on all three levels,” Morgan said. “He is long, lanky and superathletic. He can defend 1-4 at a high level.”
Senior Amare Ellis, 6-3, is expected to be a big shooter for the Cyclones, Morgan said, and 6-3 senior Dawson Shafer had a great summer of practice and will be a threat on the inside, as well as the outside. Junior Bryce Beavers, 5-8, has proven himself to be a “lockdown defender” who will “give opposing guards fits,” the coach said.
Heading into the season, Morgan said there are a lot of unknowns, as the group is “basically a whole new team.” However, he is excited to see what he and fellow coach CJ Chaten can do with an eager, senior-heavy team.
“My goal as a coach every year is for our team to reach their maximum potential on the court, and we will live with whatever that is,” Morgan said. “I expect this team to play extremely hard on both ends of the floor.”
Although a fifth conference championship is a definite goal, Morgan said there’s something else that his team has been working on — creating a strong team culture.
“We have started to create an unbelievable culture that is centered around our core values of toughness, trust, dedication, discipline and respect,” the coach said.
Morgan, who arrived at Russellville in April after having previously been the head coach at England High School, with his team winning a 2A state championship in 2020, has seen the Cyclones come a long way.
“They get pushed mentally and physically daily, so to see them respond like they have been is something really promising that every coach loves to see,” Morgan said. “At the end of the day, we want to win basketball games, but if all they learn in our program is basketball, then we are doing them a disservice. We want to teach them as many life lessons as possible that will follow them for the rest of their lives.”