2016-17 basketball preview: Conway Boys

conway-boys-simpson

By John Miller

They may have a different makeup to their roster this year, but the Conway Bears’ expectations remain the same.

Last year, the team finished with a 19-9 record and made a nice run in the district tournament. The Bears upset top-seed Clever 55-42 before falling to two-seed Fair Grove 53-50 in the championship game.

But with three starters now graduated, it’s fair to say this year’s Conway team will look different than last.

“We are a different team this year than in seasons past,” Conway coach Jeff Cope said. “We do not have the offensive explosiveness and athletic ability, but we do have good players and lots of big game experience. We will look to dictate the offensive tempo and utilize our strengths. We have good solid post play and good guards. Shot selection and teamwork are at a premium for us.”

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Returning starters include guards Tayler Simpson and Cody Delcour. Simpson, a 5-foot-10 senior, has started since his sophomore season and seen varsity minutes since he was a freshman. “Tayler kind of flew under the radar the last two seasons with the teams we have had,” Cope said. “He’s got a nice all-around game. He can hit the 3-pointer or take you off the dribble. He plays stronger than he looks and always seems to rise to the occasion during big games. He will have to carry quite a bit of the scoring load this season for us, and I am sure that will be welcomed by him.”

Delcour, a 6-foot-2 junior, started last year as a sophomore and also saw a lot of playing time as a freshman for the Bears. “Cody will need to expand his game this season and become more well-rounded for us to be successful,” Cope said. “He is a very good 3-point shooter and tenacious defender. How quickly he adapts to his new role will help us have success more quickly. He will need to become more of a force for us defensively with a position change, as well.”

Along with Simpson and Delcour, the Bears return two bench players from last year in forward Tanner Pippins and guard Gunnar Berger.

Pippins, a 6-foot-4 junior, was a part-time starter last season and will see an increased role this year. “Tanner has the body and skill-set to be a valuable player for us this year,” Cope said. “He’s got good hands and a capable scoring ability. We will look to establish him in the paint early to help take some of the scoring load from our guards as they get used to the speed of the varsity game. The more comfortable Tanner is defensively, the better we will be.”

Berger, a 6-foot-3 junior, also started part-time last year and is a good scorer with a high basketball IQ. “Gunnar has a nice all-around offensive game,” Cope said. “He has very good range and driving ability, which will certainly draw quick attention from our opponents. A strong focus on the defensive end will only help him become the player I know he can be.”

Newcomers for Conway this year includes forwards Dylan Dampier and Hunter Wissbaum and junior Caleb Little.

Dampier, a 6-foot-4 senior, should help Pippins defend the rim inside. “He has a big body and is a very gifted rebounder who is also very adept at blocking shots,” Cope said. “He can also step out and hit a jumper or 3-point shot. As the season goes along, he will only get better and better for us.”

Wissbaum, a 6-foot-2 forward, has had a recent growth spurt, which should help his game. “He has a good feel for the sport and a knack for coming up with offensive rebounds and hustle plays,” Cope said. “Hunter is in line to provide us with a nice all-around game and play multiple positions for us.”

Little, a 5-foot-11 junior, has a quick first-step, which should help him beat his man and get to the rim. “He has a good ability to attack the opposing defender and get to the rim and finish or assist an open teammate,” Cope said. “An emerging perimeter shot will provide us with another guard who can log some valuable varsity minutes for us.”

While the Bears are excited about the talent level of their returners and newcomers, with so many new faces added to the mix, it may take some time for the team to gel.

“As the season goes along and our newcomers gain confidence and experience, we should be a tough team to beat,” Cope said. “Our ability to be a well-rounded offensive and defensive team will be our focus.”

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