Expectations high for Panther basketball
Expectations aren’t changing for the Siloam Springs boys basketball program, no matter how many points and starters the Panthers have to replace.
Siloam Springs opens its 201617 season on Tuesday by hosting first-year Class 7A school Bentonville West at the Panther Activity Center, and several Panthers will be seeing their first extensive varsity action.
As a team, Siloam Springs scored 1,551 points last season and this year’s returning players only scored 181 of that total.
The Panthers have big shoes to fill all over the floor, but sixthyear head coach Tim Stewart likes what he’s seen so far.
“It’s a fun group,” Stewart said. “Our seniors have really stepped up and taken a leadership role. They know — we all know — we lost a lot of starters last year. It’s a new group coming. They’ve stepped up and taken ownership of the team and we’ve been impressed with their growth. It’s been fun for the coaches to see that growth.”
To ask the Panthers to duplicate their 17-12 season state quarterfinalist season from a year ago seems like a difficult task, but Stewart said the foundation of the program is not changing.
“The standard is what they bring to the floor, energy and effort and selfless team play,” Stewart said. “Our determination of success isn’t just based on wins and losses. Last year’s team was a great example. They kept improving through their career. The expectation is this group is going to do the same thing.”
The Panthers return only one starter from last year’s team in senior forward Noah Karp (6foot-3, 205 pounds). Karp averaged 5.0 points per game last year, but showed flashes of brilliance at times, like a 16-point outburst at Alma.
Karp and senior forwards Harrison Kretzer (6-4, 200) and Josh Hunt (6-5, 205) have the most varsity experience and will be depended on heavily.
“They’re the big three,” Stewart said. “They’re going to be asked to play a lot of different positions and carry a lot of different hats for us.”
All three can shoot the 3-point shot and can handle the ball some.
Karp is the team’s best player, while Kretzer is a close second but also unproven. Hunt, meanwhile is the team’s best shooter based on practice drills and has improved his strength and toughness, Stewart said.
“Noah, Harrison and Josh Hunt, they realize they’re going to have to carry a big load replacing (Kyle) Snavely, Carlson (Wakefield) and some of those forwards,” Stewart said. “They’ve really stepped up to the plate. We’re super proud of them.”
Seniors Omar Vazquez (5-10, 160) and Charlie Jones (5-11, 155) will start at the guard positions for the Panthers.
Vazquez will operate at the point guard spot while Jones will play a shooting guard.
“There’s a lot asked out of those two and they’ve put in the work and we think they’re going to do a good job competing,” Stewart said.
Vazquez is ultra-competitive and hard-nosed, Stewart said, while Jones is a great passer and shooter.
“I think he’s one that will shock some people this year,” Stewart said.
Junior guard Spencer Lashley (6-2, 190) will play some guard and forward and could wind up earning a starting position, Stewart said.
“He’s grown stronger and can play a lot of positions for us,” Stewart said.
Junor Diego Flores (5-10, 140) will come off the bench and handle the ball for the Panthers, as will sophomore Murphy Perkins (5-11, 165) and junior Tyler Pettit (5-9, 165).
The Panthers also expecting some big contributions from senior Josh Heinrichs (6-0, 165) at a forward spot.
Senior Aaron Garst is a terrific team leader and junior Sam Everett, and sophomores Karson Clement, Kaiden Thrailkill, Jacob Wakefield, Micah Eldridge, Coleman Honea, Trey Jackson, L.T. Ellis and Logan Kleckner will look to get plenty of action in junior varsity games.