Apaches hope to maximize potential, coach says

The Pottsville Apaches are coming off one of their best seasons since winning the Class 4A state title in 2013. Pottsville finished 28-6 last year, advancing to the Class 4A state semifinals, where the team lost to Pea Ridge 63-54. The Apaches return four starters from the 2016-17 squad. They are senior Jacob Chisum, junior Wesley Heikes, senior Samuel Dunlap and senior Landon Reed. Chisum averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game last season. Heikes averaged 12 points and 5 boards. Dunlap averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds, while Reed averaged 8.5 points per game. Sixth-year coach Shane Thurman said he was proud of his team’s accomplishments last year. “Our chemistry was a huge key to our success last year, and I think it will happen again,” Thurman said. “These guys really like each other and are fun to coach.” Thurman said his team’s best insides players are Dunlap, junior Carter Horton and Heikes. “Samuel is relentless when it comes to hustle plays,” Thurman said. “Carter is a our best true post-up player, and Wes [Heikes] led us in scoring last year and play inside or out.” The best outside players, Thurman said, are Chisum, Reed and junior Logan Porter. “Jacob is our floor general,” Thurman said. “Landon and Logan are our best perimeter shooters. Kyle Hudson, Marco Ybarra, Tyler Duvall and Blake Andrews provide depth and will compete for playing time. “Kyle and Blake are smart players who understand what we are trying to accomplish. Tyler is an explosive athlete who can swing the momentum of a game. Marco is a key addition to our team because of his strength and toughness. He moved in from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.” Thurman said his team’s depth and experience are its strengths. “We lack lateral quickness, so we have to work really hard at playing great team defense,” he said. Thurman said he thinks his team can have another great season this year. “Last year was a great one, but we have to focus on improving every day so we can maximize our potential,” he said. “We are an experienced group that had a successful season a year ago. We could make a run in the postseason if we stay healthy, work hard and play together as a team.” Thurman said Heikes is a college prospect. “He is a college prospect because of his size and versatility,” Thurman said. “We have a couple of others who might be if they continue to improve.” Thurman said games against Dover and Dardanelle are big. “They are rivalry games because of their proximity and because we have stayed in the same league for so long,” he said. Pottsville will play Dover at home Dec. 8 and at Dover on Jan. 23. The Apaches will play at Dardanelle on Dec. 15, then host the Sand Lizards on Jan. 25. Pottsville will play a challenging schedule this year. The Apaches are scheduled to open the season Nov. 11 at Lake Hamilton. “We are looking forward to playing in the Hoops for Hunger tournament in Russellville,” Thurman said. “We play Little Rock Episcopal in the first round and could play some bigger schools that we don’t usually see.”