Izard County wants to win it all this season

The Izard County Consolidated Cougars were oh so close to winning the Class 1A state championship a year ago. And that is sticking with them this year. Izard County, which finished 37-4 a year ago, led Guy-Perkins 26-18 after one quarter and 31-19 early in the second quarter. After a late run in the second quarter by Guy-Perkins, the Cougars led 37-36 at halftime and 54-52 after three quarters before the Thunderbirds rallied to win the state title 71-66 in what would be the final game for Guy-Perkins Hall of Fame coach John Hutchcraft. The Cougars are coached by former Izard County star Kyle McCandlis, and he is assisted by Tim Massey. “We had a great summer,” McCandlis said. “The boys did a lot of weight training and agility work.” The Cougars played games all summer in preparation for this season. “We played some high-level competition at camps and competed very well,” McCandlis said. “I feel like the way last season ended left us with a fuel tank of fire. The boys worked extremely hard day in and day out. They got a taste of the Finals, and now it’s time to feast.” Izard County returns a host of players from last year’s squad, including 2017-2018 Three Rivers Edition Boys Basketball Player of the Year Justus Cooper. Cooper, a junior, averaged 24 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 assists per game during last season’s run to the state-title game. “I’m very fortunate to have a player like that,” McCandlis said, referring to Cooper, who is 6-5 and can play inside or outside. “It’s like I told someone: There may never be another one like him. He’s special. Throughout the year, he was stepping out and hating the 3 or posting up. During the state tournament, he could just overpower everybody 15 feet and in.” Also returning is sophomore Caleb Faulkner, who averaged 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists per game last year. “He’s got a great personality and plays so mature on the floor,” McCandlis said. “He’s another one who is so much fun to coach.” Other returning players include seniors Mike Ueker and Dalton Dillard; junior Dylan Tharp; and sophomores Coby Everett, Chase Orf and Noah Everett. McCandlis said his team’s strengths include speed, size and strength. “On defense, we want to be more aggressive and also draw more charges,” McCandlis said. “Offensively, we want to get to the free-throw line more and shoot a higher percentage than last season.” McCandlis said several players are getting interest from college coaches. Cooper holds offers from Harding University in Searcy; Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi; and Lyon College in Batesville. He’s also getting interest from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee; the University of Missouri-Kansas City; Rice University in Houston; and Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. McCandlis said the ultimate goal is the state championship this season. “We plan on exceeding last season’s success,” he said. “Our focus is sharper than it has been, and the determination can be seen in each of their faces.”