Daredevils have depth, plan to mix it up

Wonderview’s boys finished just 2-6 in conference play last season, but the Daredevils ended the season by winning 15 of their last 20 games. Jerod Squires’ squad finished third in the 1A-5 North and took fourth in the Class 1A Region 3 Tournament. The Daredevils lost their statetournament opener to County Line, 58-57. “We look to build off the momentum we ended the season with last year when we won 15 of our last 20 and qualified for the state tournament,” Squires said. “This year’s team understands there are many challenges that lie ahead but has been working extremely hard since the first day of practice. “Our goals this year include competing for the conference, district and regional championships. If we are able to do that, we feel like we will be in a good position to make a deep run in the state tournament.” Returning starters include Trace Duvall, a 6-4 senior forward who averaged 8.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a junior; and Dayton Davidson, a 5-11 junior guard. Five other players who played at least 10 minutes per game last season also return: Colton Montgomery, a 5-10 senior guard; Jacob Gullett, a 5-10 senior guard; Jacob Reynolds, a 5-11 junior guard; Landon Jones, a 5-8 junior guard; and Lane Wells, a 5-8 sophomore guard.

“Trace Duvall has the length around the rim to be one of our best inside scorers,” Squires said. “Dayton Davidson, Eli Burrell and Chase Mount also look to be big contributors inside with their athleticism and strength.” Several players have the ability to be good outside players, the coach said, including Gullett, Montgomery, Jones, Reynolds, Wells, junior Jared Sponer and freshman Caleb Squires, who is the son of the coach. “I look for us to play 11 guys regularly this season, and we will be able to mix in a lot of different combinations, depending on the night and the opponent,” he said. “We should be able to be very versatile this year.” The major weakness will be a lack of overall height, the coach said.

“But we hope our quickness and depth will help offset the difference,” Squires said. He said that after the Arkansas Activities Association’s realignment, he expects every 1A-5 Conference game will be one to watch, with Timbo, Concord, West Side Greers Ferry, Sacred Heart, Mount Vernon-Enola and Guy-Perkins particularly tough. Intriguing nonconference games include those against Maumelle Charter on Monday and Nemo Vista on Feb. 5, the coach said. “I look for this season to be a fun team to watch play,” Squires said. “We have a good mixture of returning players with game experience, good guard play, speed/athleticism and toughness. “I believe we will play very hard, compete every night and play for each other.”