LINCOLN -- Size is something the best of basketball coaches can't manufacture and factors into a team's capabilities.
Boys basketball rosters either have size or they don't. Overlisting a lineup only goes so far, but veteran Lincoln coach Tim Rich won't have to consider any tall tales when making out the final varsity lineup. The Wolves will have some genuine height on the 2016-2017 boys basketball roster. Rich will build around 6-0 guard Bryce Means and 6-1 forward Harrison Swayne, who has been quarterbacking the football team. Means can play either the point-guard or shooting guard spots, depending upon what the situation calls for.
"Right now, he's doing a good job of being a leader," Rich said. "He's one of our floor generals, getting people to where they need to be. I think he's going to have a great year in a leadership role."
Swayne is a competitor, who brings that football drive onto the basketball court.
"He's another one of our leaders," Rich said. "His is by example. He hustles, he never quits. He has great effort and attitude."
Last season, Lincoln opened with a 76-60 loss to Charleston, then forged a 3-game winning streak over a 10-day span to begin December with a 3-1 record. The Wolves advanced to the finals of the Decatur Holiday Hoops tournament before losing to Eureka Springs. They had a loss at home to Kingston, then posted a win over Elkins before finishing 2015 with four losses and falling to 5-8. Beyond that, conference play was tough with the Wolves managing a single win in 4A-1 play (44-37) over Prairie Grove on Jan. 19. Seven seniors graduated, including experienced point-guard Roni Castenada and post-player Garrett Blankenship along with forward/shooting guards Dalton Barnum and Noah Swayne, plus 6-4 Kevin Pomeroy, post Caleb Hill and forward Rodrigo Espinoza.
Yet, the players Lincoln does have returning are tall for the most part. Brance Sugg has grown. He was listed at 5-feet-11 as a sophomore, but now stands at 6-feet-2. He will play forward along with 6-4 Troy Sugg, giving more size to the Wolves' roster.
"They are both juniors, they're young, they got some experience last year," Rich said. "They are really working on developing their basketball skills, becoming better all-around players each day."
Dalton Lee is another player the Wolves have coming back, who Rich said will help with rebounding and saw some good playing time last season.
"He got some playing time last year," Rich said. "He's going to be one of our guys to have some size. He gets out there. He's physical. He helps out on the boards and definitely matching up with big post players."
Senior Brent Crews has the versatility to play either guard spot as well with Rich counting on his presence to allow Means to play off the ball or spot up when Means does handle the basketball.
"Hopefully, we'll get some good, quality time out of him," Rich said. "He will help everybody set up. He can really help with Bryce Means being either the one or two and vice versa. He can be the one or two (guard) himself."
Rich said the size will help with 6-feet-4 Caleb Hale and 6-feet-1 Sterling Morphis also in the mix.
"Caleb Hale, he took a good growth spurt over the summer," Rich said. "He's about 6-feet-4 now. We're not small by no means. We've got good height straight across."
The Wolves lost 70-47 at Berryville Nov. 15.
Sports on 11/23/2016