Skywalker Family Takes To Court

FARMINGTON BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Farmington senior Matt Wilson will be expected to carry the scoring load for the Cardinal varsity basketball team.
MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Farmington senior Matt Wilson will be expected to carry the scoring load for the Cardinal varsity basketball team.

FARMINGTON -- The force of gravity will be defied on a regular basis, if the "skywalker family" of Farmington basketball athletes has anything to say.

According to Farmington head boys basketball coach Beau Thompson, the 2016-2017 Cardinal varsity edition is comparable in size and ability as any team Farmington has sent out onto the hardwood.

"We're very excited about our team, we think we're as big and athletic as we've ever been," Thompson said.

Seniors, 6-2 guard Matt Wilson and 6-3 forward Cade Fenton, are returning starters and there is enough talent, Farmington won't be hurt as much as some think over the transfer of Matt Thomas (20.8 points-per-game last year) to Pea Ridge for his senior season. Thompson said Thomas' dad moved out of the district and while he would have liked to have Thomas on the roster, things appear to have worked out for the best.

"I think it was a good move for the kid, the kid's happy," Thompson said. "Sometimes change is good. I think it was best for the kid. He's an exceptionally good kid, but I think he'll have an exceptionally good year at Pea Ridge."

Thompson said the biggest change for the Cardinals will be relieving Wilson of the primary ball-handling duties.

"We're trying to take the ball out of Matt Wilson's hands and get him off the ball where he can play more of a scoring role," Thompson said.

Last year, Wilson averaged 18 points and 5.5 rebounds with an assist to turnover ratio that was dead-even, something Thompson said is good, considering the amount of pressure Wilson had to deal with. Fenton led the Cardinals in rebounding as a junior and will be counted on to take up some of the scoring slack in Thomas' absence.

"We're hoping he can score on the block for us," Thompson said.

Thompson makes no bones about the potential of a trio of juniors, all of whom contributed and started at one point last year as sophomores. Xavier Staten is around 6-4 or 6-5, Skyler Montez is 6-1 and Jacob Gray checks in at 6-3.

"The thing about all three of them is they all play way above the rim," Thompson said. "I would call them dynamic players. Staten and Montez can play inside or out."

Thompson is also pleased with the off-season efforts of three seniors, who have earned playing time. Point-guard Taylor Carbonel is 5-9 and will lead the Cardinals defensively at the point of attack in traps and full-court presses. Carbonel will also become the facilitator of the offense. At 6-3, Conner Hill is another athletic player, who plays above the rim. Shooting guard, 5-9 Carson Sharp will help keep defenses honest.

"These three players epitomize high school athletics," Thompson said. "They've worked their tail off every day in the weight room and in the gym since they were seventh-graders. Now, as seniors, they're going to get their chance to contribute."

Among 5A West teams, Thompson said they are all tough opponents. Harrison returns the bulk of their team from last year when the Goblins qualified for state.

"They may be the best team, they ever had," Thompson said.

Thompson notes Maumelle has been to the last two State 5A finals and has a strong program. As was the case in volleyball, Farmington will compete against 6A schools: Greenwood, Russellville and Siloam Springs in a blended conference for regular season play.

"This year, we're thrown in with the 6A schools," Thompson said. "Every team in both our blended league and our normal conference are big and strong. As big and strong as we are, we will just be average. That's just the way it is. We will play five or six kids, who can dunk it at all times."

The upside of competing against 6A schools is qualifying for the State 5A tournament will be determined through a conference tournament.

"That means for one night, regardless of record, everybody in the state is equal," Thompson said. "If we're healthy and we improve every game, and throw in that we've got a player like Wilson, who can control the ball and keep it away from the other team, we can be a pretty scary tournament team for anybody."

By the time the conference tournament tips off, Thompson foresees Montez and Staten, both of whom played football, will have a chance to become great basketball players. He is optimistic the Cardinals can become contenders come tournament time.

"If we put our nose to the grindstone and get better every day, then we'll have a shot to get there in the end."

Playing on consecutive nights last week, Farmington defeated rival Prairie Grove, 62-41, Nov. 28, then lost, 43-39, at Huntsville Nov. 29. Thompson said the Cardinals will benefit from the loss.

"We needed a close game so we can figure out what we need to work on."

Sports on 12/07/2016