Rebounding, shooting focus for Benton
On the offensive end, we have to shoot the ball better and shoot it at a higher level. That’s really been a major emphasis this past offseason and preseason.” DEXTER HENDRIX BENTON PANTHERS COACH
Following their loss to Pine Bluff in the state tournament, the staff of the Benton Panthers spent the offseason charting everything and looking at the numbers and the team’s room for improvement. “The biggest thing is we have to keep people out of the lane and the paint,” said Dexter Hendrix, who is going into his fifth season as head coach. “We have to get better position and rebound the basketball. Rebounding has been a huge emphasis. In the Pine Bluff game, we gave up 4 or 5 offensive rebounds, causing them to tip on in for the win. “On the offensive end, we have to shoot the ball better and shoot it at a higher level. That’s really been a major emphasis this past offseason and preseason.” Last year, Benton finished 20-10 overall and as runner-up in the conference, behind Lake Hamilton. Benton lost in the second round of the state tournament to Pine Bluff on a buzzer beater. The Panthers lost three starters to graduation, but Hendrix said the team is bringing back five seniors who all have a lot of experience. They include point guard Carson Cates, guard Sawyer Oulch, Grant Shelnut, Maleek McClendon and Carl Ross, all of whom started at some point a year ago. “Those guys bring a lot of experience,” Hendrix said. “They only averaged 5 to 6 points per game, but they did a lot that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet. “Sawyer is probably our best defender, but he also scored 30 points in the semifinals of our conference tournament. Carson shoots the basketball well, and Maleek dominates the boards and is able to get out on transition and cause some problems.” Junior Ethan Hilkert is a 6-3 post that moved to Benton this year and “will do a lot of good things for us,” the coach said. “Junior Marqelle Barnes is a really athletic guard and can get to the basket,” Hendrix said. “We also have freshman Cameron Harris, who will get a lot of minutes for us. It will be my first time looking at playing a freshman, but he is a special talent and has a ton of potential.” Harris’ older brother, Fred, played basketball at Benton, and Hendrix coached him all three years. “Cameron is really talented and played well during the summertime,” the coach said. “He did a lot of good things as an eighth-grader and is extremely unselfish.” Hendrix said one thing he especially likes about Harris is his basketball intelligence. “He didn’t get to play football this year due to injury, but he should be ready in time for basketball,” Hendrix said. “We will also have a good mix of sophomores and juniors, and we will be as competitive as we can.” Benton moves to the 5A South and will play schools such as Hot Springs, Hot Springs Lakeside, Sheridan, Lake Hamilton, Texarkana and El Dorado. “It is going to be an extremely competitive conference and really difficult to compete in,” Hendrix said. “We know it is going to be a big challenge, but a challenge we are excited about as well.” Benton will open the season against Beebe in a benefit game Nov. 6 but will start the regular season against Morrilton on Nov. 8.