Bald Knob expected to improve with experience

The Bald Knob Bulldogs ended the 2017-18 season with an 18-13 record, but fifthyear coach Matt Ragsdale said this year’s team will use last season’s experience as a springboard for success in 2018-19. “We will exceed our success from last year,” he said. “We were very young last year and had to grow up quick. That experience will pay huge dividends this year.” Leadership, experience and scoring are the three big team strengths for the Bulldogs, Ragsdale said, and his returning starters are going to be key this year. The Bulldogs’ returning starters include allstate junior Stetson Smithson, all-conference junior Peyton Jones and senior Jeremy Tharp. “Jeremy Tharp will be a three-year starter this year and is the toughest and hardest-working player I’ve ever coached. He is a beast on the glass, with his strength, and has worked hard on improving his offensive game as well,” Ragsdale said. “Stetson Smithson, one of the top shooters/ players in the state, has a great range from outside and has really worked hard to add to his arsenal a variety of moves to attack the rim. “Peyton Jones is a very explosive scorer. When he gets going, he is impossible to stop, and he has worked hard to continue to improve his outside shot.” Other key outside players are Matthew Arnold, Johnson Capps and Blain Willard, coach said. “Matthew Arnold will be a name people will know because of his shooting ability,” Ragsdale

said. “Johnson Capps will have a huge role on both the offensive and defensive ends this year. He shoots it very well and can guard anyone on the floor. Blain Willard will be one of the best defenders in our league this year.” Jahem Washington and Elias Mean will also make an impact on the court, the coach said. “Jahem Washington’s leadership attributes and basketball IQ, along with his ability to stretch the floor, will log him big minutes this year,” Ragsdale said. “Elias Mean is an explosive athlete who can block a lot of shots, rebound very well and has the ability to step out and shoot with range.” The experience of this year’s Bulldogs basketball team will far outweigh the youth represented on the bench, Ragsdale said. “Most of our core are juniors this year but played very important roles on last year’s team. I believe this is the most talented group we have had here in a while,” he said. “Losing in the regionals last year has really lit a fire under these guys, and we have made it a point to compete harder every day to make sure that doesn’t happen again. “This team is as close and as competitive as I’ve ever seen, which makes for a team that is tough to beat.”