The Paragould Rams control their own destiny when it comes to advancing to the state tournament . The Rams have struggled mostly over the last few seasons although they have shown flashes of being very solid . The Rams play in a highly tough 5A East that is accustomed to sending teams to the state finals . It is possible that same scenario may happen again in the 2022-2023 season . One player that helps to control Paragould ’ s outcome is senior guard Gavin Hall . The lefty shooter averages over 20 points per game . He is a very good undersized scorer that continues to find his name in the morning newspaper .
While many Northeast Arkansas fans have casted doubt on Hall and his teammates , Gavin believes in the Rams . “ I don ’ t see myself as an underdog , although a lot of fans may disagree ,” explained the senior . “ I think as a team , we all want to prove that we belong with the talent that is in the 5A East .” Hall is confident they can shine with the rest of the conference but knows they have to give it 100 % in every aspect of the game . “( We have to do ) All of the little things . It ’ s no secret that we ’ re the smallest team in the conference . We have to rebound , take charges , make free throws , get 50 / 50 balls . Everything else will fall into place , but the little things give us that edge over our opponents .”
Coach Jace Watson has led the Rams for the last several years and has been there with Hall since day one . Watson had nothing but praise for his star studded senior . “ Gavin is a three-year starter for us . He has been the foundation of our program . He had to learn early how hard it is to play in this league . Nothing has come easy for him . He has spent more hours in the gym working on his game than anyone I have ever coached . He has also put time in watching and learning the game . His basketball IQ is off the charts . It ’ s like we have another coach out there on the floor playing . I ’ m just so happy to see all that hard work pay off . The numbers he is putting up this year are special , and I have the best seat in the house to watch him .”
Hall is vastly undersized for a guard playing in the 5A East . While Gavin is undersized , he is left handed which is something opponents are not used to guarding . That is something he has been able to use to his advantage . “ Being left handed is an advantage because , like you said , it ’ s not something you get used to seeing . I think it helps me because a lot of players are not used to guarding a left-handed player . My shooting ability comes from me being undersized . I have to be able to knock down jump shots to score in this conference . The biggest part of scoring as an undersized guard is understanding your strengths and weaknesses . Being