Wolves prep Spradlin for coaching career
PEARCY — Armed with an advanced basketball IQ and a willingness to work hard, Lake Hamilton senior forward Jacob Spradlin has long been considered an additional coach on the court for the Wolves.
Lake Hamilton coach Scotty Pennington called Spradlin the defensive leader for his team earlier this season.
“The other guys, some nights they have a good night and some nights they don’t, but he has really solidified himself,” Pennington said after a win over Arkadelphia on Dec. 28. “You know every single night what he’s going to do.”
As he closes out his final season with the Wolves, the senior is preparing to take his knowledge to the bench, having accepted a position as a student manager for Arkansas Tech University’s men’s basketball team beginning next season.
“It’s kind of like a coaching assistant, and it counts as my experience towards becoming a coach,” Spradlin said. “I’ve talked to the coaches there and gotten to know them pretty well. Tech is close to home and it’s a good price for a four-year university, so I’m looking forward to being there.”
Advancing to the Class 6A tournament in each of the past two seasons with Lake Hamilton, Spradlin is accustomed to success and the high expectations that come with it. He said he looks forward to joining an Arkansas Tech program with similar aspirations.
The Wonder Boys claimed Great American Conference tournament championships in 2012 and 2015, a GAC regular season title in 2014 and have qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament in eight of the last 10 seasons.
“It’s unbelievable to have an experience around a winning program like that,” said Spradlin. “I’m glad the coaches are giving me an opportunity like this to share in those moments with them. I’m just excited to be there and get to work.”
Spradlin said he began considering a potential coaching career as a sophomore during his first varsity season with the Wolves.
“I realized I wasn’t going to play college ball, but I love the game so much and I can’t get away from it,” he said. “I’ve always had a good understanding of basketball, so I just wanted to stay with it as long as I could. There’s nothing else I could see myself doing.”
Playing alongside all-state performers Jordan Harper and Larenz Nero in his sophomore and junior season, as well as all-state hopeful Mondo Watkins this season, Spradlin has never been tasked with shouldering the scoring load for the Wolves.
Rather, the senior has spent rigorous time honing his craft as a rebounding and defensive whiz, while providing an extra set of eyes for the offense.
Spradlin averaged a team-high seven rebounds per game last season while also drawing more than two charges per game on the defensive end.
“I’m not really an offensive player but I feel like I’m out there to lead the team and direct everybody,” Spradlin said. “I can see most of the floor when I’m at the center spot, and that helps me coach everybody through the game plan.”
Playing under Pennington for the last three seasons, Spradlin has been absorbing knowledge from a fellow student of the game.
The son of Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Famer Jim Pennington, Scotty Pennington served as head coach at Union High School and Hot Springs High School before taking over for Jamie Bridges at Lake Hamilton in 2013.
Spradlin said Pennington has been instrumental in his development as a player and future coach.
“I’ve learned a lot from coach Pennington, and I look at him as a role model,” he said. “I’ve always said I want to be like him when I get older. He has shown me the importance of getting to know your players and not just getting paid to coach, but loving the game and loving the kids you coach.”
As his playing career comes to an end, Spradlin still has unfinished business with the Wolves as they strive for their first state championship since 1963.
Ranked No. 6 in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Class 6A super six poll, Lake Hamilton boasts a 15-3 record, 6-1 in 6A/5A-6 conference play, entering Tuesday’s contest at Texarkana (9-5, 4-4).
“Our main goal is to win a conference tournament and make it as far as we can in the state tournament,” Spradlin said. “We just need to keep practicing hard and keep ourselves from getting a big head. If we play to our full potential every game, we should be pretty good the rest of the way.”