. Expectations are high all around at Nettleton High School , and Coach Aaron Deaton and the Raiders are not backing away from it . Nettleton finished 24-7 last year , falling in the state quarterfinals to eventual champion Pine Bluff . The Raiders are excited by a mix of experience with several starters back , and an uber talented sophomore group to compliment the athletic returners . Three-year starter Taylor Smith leads the way for Nettleton . The senior scored 20 points a night to lead the Raiders a year ago . Smith is extremely athletic with great anticipation , ability to get to the rim , and knock down the outside shot . Fellow senior Jamaree Thomas returns at the point guard position . Thomas showed great ability to make plays boasting a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio . Inside , 6 ’ 7 senior De ’ Shun Jackson looks to be a force on both ends of the floor . Jackson recorded 78 blocks last year proving to be a formidable rim protector . Curtez Smith is back after missing most of last year because of a move . The senior is another athletic weapon who Coach Deaton calls his best defender . Smith ’ s return adds to the defensive prowess the Raiders hope to showcase throughout the season . Seniors Brandon Alexander and Darius Thompson also return . Alexander is a good on-ball defender , while Thompson is fearless and tough . Coach Deaton believes junior forward Kobe Jamison will have a breakout year offensively and be a key factor for Nettleton ’ s success . Sophomore TJ Brown played up with the senior high team last year , so he has experience already at the high school level . Brown plays hard and scores the ball very well . TJ Whitney is another sophomore that is super talented and is one of the best athletes on the team . Coach Deaton believes in this group and is preparing them for a late season run . “ We will play a brutal non-conference schedule . The goal is to be playing our best in late February . We want to win our league and set ourselves up for a run to Hot Springs ,” Deaton said . “ We haven ' t been able to close the deal versus the elite teams on our schedule the past few years . We must get over that hump this year .” With one of the most explosive rosters in the state , NEA Sports predicts the Nettleton Raiders will contend for the 5A East crown and be one of the favorites to cut down the nets in March .
The Nettleton Lady Raiders are looking to add to their recent history of excellence under the leadership of a new coach . Kevin Frisbee will take over as the new head coach after Tim Hawkins retired after the Lady Raiders finished 21-7 , won the NEA Tournament , earned a trip to the state tournament where they lost to eventual champion Greenwood in the first round . Coach Frisbee will rely on a very experienced group of returners and some talented young players to reach their goal of a conference championship and a state tournament run . Leading the way are senior post players Mckenzie Williams and Donna Douglas . Williams is a two-year starter that earned allstate honors last season averaging ten points and eight rebounds a game . Williams has great hands and footwork and is a strong presence on both ends of the floor . Post mate Douglas earned all-conference last season averaging eight points and seven rebounds a night showing high level athleticism . Douglas can run the floor and is a great rebounder . Rest assured , the twin towers will post a difficult task for opposing teams . Fellow senior Carmen McShan returns after suffering an ACL injury last season . McShan averaged eight points , two assists , and two steals while showing very good vision , good handles , and strong leadership . Senior transfer Shakira Brown is a welcome addition moving over from Paragould . The all-conference guard adds outside shooting and strong ball-handling and passing as well as being a solid defender . Aubrey Butler is a senior guard who is another good defender and outside shooter who gained valuable experience after McShan went down a year ago . Kiearra Brown is a senior forward who will bring hustle and toughness to the floor leading the team in charges taken last season . A couple of new faces will make major contributions for Nettleton this season in sophomore Ta ’ kylah Marshall and freshman Summer Morgan . Marshall is a guard with a high motor and great vision as a passer , while Morgan is a dynamic athlete who moves the ball very quickly in transition . Nettleton will be one of the favorites in the tough 5A East once again , but Coach Frisbee cites developing team chemistry with some of the new pieces as a determining factor in the Lady Raiders success this season . Coach knows he has a dynamic defensive squad with athletic guards and two post players as good as anyone in the state . He hopes to find some consistency knocking down some outside shots . NEA Sports predicts Nettleton to be in the mix for a conference championship and a deep run in the postseason .
825 E . Main St . Suite B . Blytheville , AR 72315 870-762-1234 www . staffmark . com