Warhawks coach: ‘Don’t expect a drop-off’

Mount Vernon-Enola head coach Joshua Zarlingo said that while many around the state might believe the Warhawks will have a down year as a result of the loss of four seniors who graduated and a transfer to Quitman, Zarlingo said this group of guys should not be overlooked. “Last year, we made a great run with some extremely hard workers,” Zarlingo said. “Those were the type of guys that all the coach really had to do was drive the bus for. “We made it to the Final Four last year and got beat by Izard County Consolidated. This year’s group is just as fun to watch. They are in the gym a lot and do not like to lose. As a coach, I am expecting big things from them.” Senior guard Jacob Moix and junior forward Jasper Lasley are the only returning starters from last year’s 30-9 team. Moix averaged just under 10 points per game last year with almost 3 rebounds. Lasley averaged 7 points per game with 5 rebounds. “Both guys had 25-point nights last year and sacrificed a lot of their own wants for the team,” Zarlingo said. “I expect 15-plus for each of these guys this year.” He said Lasley has an array of post moves in the low and high post areas. “He is also a pretty good roper, and all the kids at basketball camp voted him our best worker/station,” the coach said. Moix lost a couple of teeth and broke his nose after passing out after donating blood at a blood drive at school last month, Zarlingo said, and will likely be out until Christmas. “His doctors put him back together, and he is as good as new,” Zarlingo said. “Jacob has a very good touch on the ball.” The coach said defense will definitely be something that “we will hang our hats on this year.” “Getting these guys to stay out of the gym for recovery is the only weakness that I can think of,” he said. “We have some guys who like to work, and sometimes they don’t think of a recovery day for their bodies as something that they need.” The coach said all of his guys played Amateur Athletic Union ball and have a lot of games under their belts. “I have high expectations for the team,” Zarlingo said. “Our guys off the bench will be 10th-graders and haven’t had any high school experience yet, but I feel like they will be fine once the conference starts.” Mount Vernon-Enola opened the season against Hillcrest on Oct. 16 in the ICC Classic. “There are so many great teams that we get to play throughout the year,” Zarlingo said. “[Guy-Perkins] is kind of our rival, so those games are always fun to watch. Wonderview will be good this year, and we go on the road to County Line, which is always right in it at the end of the year.”