Cards set new goals behind new face
HASKELL — The 2020-21 Harmony Grove Cardinals (2-0) have a new face in the head chair this season, but he is no stranger to Saline County basketball.
Head Coach Andy Brakebill spent a total of seven seasons at Bauxite — five as head coach — before spending the previous two years at Poyen.
“It has been really good, so far,” Brakebill said. “I love it here. The administration is great. Everybody I work with has been really good and supportive. I am enjoying my time being back in Saline County and looking forward to trying to rebuild this basketball program.”
The Cardinals finished 7-20 overall last season and only 2-12 in conference play a year ago. Harmony Grove has not had a winning season since 2014-15 when it finished 14-12 overall.
Thus far this season, Harmony Grove is off to a strong start, winning its first two ballgames, including a 53-25 victory over Southwest Christian on Friday.
Senior Trey Miller and junior Carson Withers led the Cardinals with 17 each in the victory.
“Monday, before our first game, I lost five kids to quarantine,” Brakebill said. “This whole week we have been down in numbers, but the
kids have stepped up and they are having to jump in there and fill spots and plug in the best we can.
“But these kids are hard workers and come in every day. I don’t have to coach effort too much. They are buying in to what I am trying to teach them. They come in every day willing to work and compete.”
Brakebill said the flip side to this year’s Cardinals team is experience. With only two returning that have a number of game hours under their belts, Brakebill is working to strengthen that aspect.
“You are talking about two guys that have maybe a lot of experience,” Brakebill said. “That being Carson and Trey, but all those other kids, they don’t have a lot of high school experience.”
Brakebill said his team should be able to shoot the ball really well.
Sophomore Blake Ammons is a key part of the Cardinals possible success, standing 6-7 inside.
“He could definitely provide scoring inside,” Brakebill said.
He added that Cash Parker and newcomer Lucas Seely could add to the inside attack for Harmony Grove as well.
“It is going to be hard to tell,” Brakebill added. “With everything so rocky right now with kids out and trying to figure out lineups and gelling and all of that stuff.”
Any time there is a new head coach, systems being put in place force an adjustment period. That is the same with Brakebill.
“They have had to learn some new terminology,” Brakebill said. “I have some different expectations for them. I tell them we have to show up every day and a work hard. They are buying into that culture and are working hard every day.
“Trying to implement a toughness with them every day as well. That comes from the defensive end of the floor. We are trying to be pretty multiple on defense at times. They are buying in and working and are great kids. They want to win and have success.”
Looking ahead to the Cardinals schedule this year, two nonconference games stick out for Brakebill personally as he will lead his team against both Poyen and Bauxite, two rivals for Harmony Grove, but also programs Brakebill once led.
The Cardinals travel to Poyen on Nov. 30 before hosting Bauxite later the same week.
In conference, Prescott and Centerpoint, along with Ashdown, could be teams to beat, according to the new head Cardinal.
“The favorite in our league is going to be Prescott,” Brakebill said. “They are super athletic and they have a lot of players. Then you have Centerpoint and Ashdown. Both have been basketball schools and have had a lot of success.”
Ashdown won the 2019 3A state championship, running through its competition on the way before defeating Drew Central 69-40 in the final. Two games prior that season, the Panthers took down the then-defending champion Baptist Prep 68-66.
“They are very athletic,” Brakebill said. “I don’t know much about the other teams. But the thing is when we get into league play, we are going to have to show up and play. It is going to be a battle every night. We are one of those teams that could do really well and finish in the top four. It is going to depend on success and how much they buy in.
“The big thing is how they respond when adversity hits.”
Harmony Grove will continue its 2020-21 campaign with a home battle against Christian Ministries Academy on Tuesday. Opening tip is set for 8 p.m.