Panthers plenty motivated

There's been no shortage of motivation the last few months for the Siloam Springs boys basketball team.

Ending the previous season with nine straight losses will have that kind of an effect.

"These seniors have been really motivated," said Tim Stewart, who is 62-47 entering his fifth season as head boys basketball coach at Siloam Springs. "They want to have a good experience and they've been putting the work in.

"We've been super proud of the work they've put in and we look for them to have a successful year."

Siloam Springs was one of the surprise teams in the first half of the 7A/6A-Central Conference season a year ago when they stood 11-7 and 3-2 in league play after beating Conway at the Panther Activity Center.

But the Panthers dropped a tough home loss to Alma the next time out and never could get back in sync and finished the season with an 11-16 record and 3-10 mark in conference play. The Panthers did advance to the Class 6A state tournament, which was held at Siloam Springs, but the Panthers were beaten by Little Rock Hall in the opening round.

The Panthers had a strong offseason despite losing a key player when guard Luke Loveless transferred to Providence Academy in the summer.

However, the Panthers have plenty of talent coming back that should be showcased when Siloam Springs opens its season Thursday night at Gravette.

Certainly the biggest piece for the Panthers is senior center Kyle Snavely, who at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, will be a focal point for the Panthers offensively and defensively.

"We've put in some offensive schemes to take advantage of his size," Stewart said. "Not only is he a great back-to-the-basket player, but he can step out and shoot the three."

Snavely led the Panthers in scoring and rebounding last year with 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Snavely shot the ball at a 68 percent mark.

"He's still our center and our best rebounding guy, but he's a lot more athletic and will step out some. He's a sponge. He works hard."

Stewart said Snavely will play college basketball next season.

"He'll play somewhere," Stewart said. "He's drawing a lot of small college interest, which is awesome."

At forward, the Panthers feel real good about a collection of juniors and seniors that are ready to step in and make a difference.

"We think we can really have some good mismatches because they can go inside and out, whether it be a big on a little or a little on a big," Stewart said.

Senior Kyle Comiskey (5-10, 187) is "in the best shape of his life and it's evident," Stewart said.

Junior Noah Karp (6-2, 180) has improved his athleticism and strength, Stewart said.

"He's everywhere and he can shoot it," he said.

Junior Harrison Kretzer (6-1, 170) is a battler, while senior Carlson Wakefield (6-2, 175) is an athletic small forward who has greatly improved his skill set, the coach said.

"He can score and shoot," Stewart said of Wakefield.

"We hope they are difference makers just because of the matchup possibilities," he said.

Junior Josh Hunt (6-4, 185) also could contribute at a forward position.

Senior Ethan Rush (6-5, 170) is another forward while sophomores Bairon Magana (6-2, 165) and Cervantez Martin (6-2, 160) should see minutes at forward in junior varsity games.

Senior Tyler Newton (6-0, 170) is penciled in as the Panthers' starting point guard after averaging 4.5 points per game last year.

"He's vastly improved," Stewart said of Newton. "His strength and conditioning has gotten better and his consistency is much improved."

Senior Jordan Norberg (6-1, 170) recently joined the team once football season ended. He'll play another guard position.

"He is a playmaker for us," Stewart said of Norberg. "He's been able to grow in some areas. He has the tools to be a playmaker and a leader for us."

Senior Caleb Lampton (6-1, 170) has also improved, his coach said.

"He has put in so much time and effort and is going to reap the rewards this year," Stewart said. "He's always been a great shooter, but he's physically turned into a great athlete and he's not just a shooter anymore. He brings his hard hat and comes to work every day."

Sophomore Marquan Sorrells (6-0, 150) saw key minutes as a freshman last year and should play a bigger role this year as a guard.

"He's obviously a playmaker and he's going to be a wrecking force on defense," Stewart said. "He can play all five positions because of his athleticism. He's not afraid to get physical and stick his nose in the mix and play with reckless abandon."

Senior Matthew McSpadden (5-10, 150) will get valuable minutes as well at guard.

"We've seen a vast improvement in his skill set," Stewart said.

Senior Gavin Efurd (6-0, 155), junior Charlie Jones (5-9, 137), junior Josh Heinrichs (6-0, 160), and junior Zach Eldridge will also be fighting for some varsity minutes at guard, and the underclassmen will play a lot of junior varsity as well.

Also playing junior varsity at guard will be junior Omar Vazquez (5-10, 150), and sophomore guards Diego Flores (5-10, 140), Garrett Self (5-9, 155), Sam Everett (5-8, 135), Spencer Lashley (6-2, 180) and Tyler Pettit (5-8, 150).

After playing Gravette on Thursday, the Panthers won't play again until Dec. 1 in the Republic (Mo.) Tournament. They'll then play in the Jerry Oquin Invitational in Inola, Okla., Dec. 7-12 before their first home against Tulsa (Okla.) Webster on Dec. 15.

The Panthers begin 7A/6A-Central Conference play on Jan. 8 against Little Rock Catholic.

NOTES: The Panthers defeated Huntsville 71-67 in an Arkansas Activities Association benefit game on Saturday at Charles Berry Gymnasium in Huntsville. Huntsville led 33-29 at halftime, but the Panthers took a 43-42 lead going into the fourth quarter. Kyle Snavely led five Panthers in double figures with 21 points. Kyle Comiskey scored 15 points, while Noah Karp, Jordan Norberg and Carlson Wakefield each had 11. ... The Panthers' boys basketball program was recently featured in the latest issue of Bigger, Faster, Stronger magazine. For more information, visit www.biggerfasterstronger.com.