4 starters back as Lions work for state-tourney return
England’s Lions reached the quarterfinals of the Class 2A State Tournament last season, and with four starters back this fall, they look to go further in 2018-19. “We have seven seniors out of our 15 on the roster,” coach Chris Houser said. “It’s an experienced group with seven of our top nine returning. Anything less than a win or two in the state tournament would be a disappointment.” The Lions finished 26-9 overall and 11-3 in conference play in Houser’s debut season at England last year. England was the third seed from the 4 East for the West/Central Regional, where the Lions beat Hackett, 54-43; lost to Quitman, winner of the 4 East, in the semifinals, 62-59; and knocked off Jacksonville Lighthouse, second from the 4 East, in the third-place game. In the state tournament, the Lions beat East Poinsett County in the opening round, 71-64, before falling to Parkers Chapel, top seed from the South, in the quarterfinals, 66-54. Returning starters include Warren Green, a 6-2 senior guard who finished in the top two in every statistical category last season; Kevante Davis, a 6-0 junior guard who led the Lions in assists, 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage; Tyler Woods, a 6-2 senior forward and defensive leader who was second in rebounding and third in scoring as a junior; and 5-5 senior guard Richard Johnson, “a good secondary ball-handler, tough defender and deadly from the 3-point line when he is set up for the shot,” Houser said. The coach said wing players Davis and Green should prove difficult for teams to contain. “Both can shoot the 3 well and attack off the dribble and get to the basket,” Houser said, adding that both are college prospects. “Warren has a nice all-around skill set, can shoot the 3, handle the ball, rebound, pass and play D. He’s the total package and would make a nice 1 or 2 guard in college. “Kevante is our top shooter from 3, but he can also get to the basket and finish whenever he wants. He’s a lockdown, on-ball defender and led the team in assists and assist/turnover ratio last season.” Tamarous Dodson, a 6-3 forward who earned eligibility in January last year, was a major factor in the state-tournament win over EPC. “He can dominate inside this season with a full season to play and much-needed experience gained from last season,” Houser said. Team strengths? “Length, quickness and balance,” the coach said. “We have a good combination of outside shooters, guys who can attack the rim and a post presence. Defense should always be a strength for us again this year as well.” But Houser said the Lions need to overcome slow starts, which he said have seemed to be an issue. “We have to work on coming out ready to play from the opening tip and not letting teams hang around until the second half before we put them away,” Houser said. Carlisle makes the move from the 2A-3 to the 2A-5 South this season against Bigelow, Cutter Morning Star, England, Hazen, Magnet Cove, Maumelle Charter and Poyen. “Cutter Morning Star, Maumelle Charter and Bigelow will be our toughest challenges within our conference,” Houser said. “Clarendon, Stuttgart and Jessieville will all be big tests for us in nonconference [play]. “We’ve had a nice rivalry going with Clarendon and Stuttgart the past couple of years.” Houser said he was optimistic on the eve of the new season. “Only losing one starter from last year and the improvement of Dodson inside should give us a good chance,” he said.