SEARCY, Ar. (LP) – In preparation for this upcoming 2018-2019 season, the Searcy Lions Men’s Basketball Team are spending over half of their time getting stronger by staying in the weight room over fifty percent of the time. “We have been working on our shooting, ball handling, passing, and learning the new offensive system,” said Coach John White. Coach John White has now been the head coach for the Searcy Lions Basketball team for almost three years now. “Over half of my team is out due to football and other sports. Once we all come together as a team, I will feel a lot more confident.” A graduated Senior, Malik Branch had some advice to pass down to the future Searcy Lion Men’s Basketball team, “When your a senior or any player at that for the Searcy Lions, I advise you give it your all and play your heart out because you never know what could happen. Always give your 110%.” A new student from Oklahoma has recently joined the Searcy Lions Men’s Basketball team, Peyton Caldwell stands about six foot and is looking forward to helping the team out a lot this year. Although the boys had a tough conference and a tough season only winning nine games, they feel like this year will be much better. They had a few games where they were neck and neck with the opponent. Junior, Freddy Hicks, played a big part last year averaging two steals a game and almost ten points a game as a sophomore. Freddy Hicks also had two dunks last season which helped him team get a big win against the Batesville pioneers and Mountain Home.

Although the boys lost a few of their top senior, Coach White is pretty excited about this upcoming season and can’t wait to take on the Benton Panthers. Coach White states, “We will be facing some tough competition like West Memphis Blue Devils, the Marion Patriots, the Greene County Tech Golden Eagles, and the Jonesboro Golden Hurricanes. Although these will be some tough games to pull through, I believe we will come out on top.” Coach White is patiently waiting for football season to end so he will have a full team and start preparing more and more for season. The Searcy Lions game will follow after the Searcy Lions Lady Basketball women’s team at about seven o’clock. The Searcy Lions Men’s Basketball team will be coming ten times stronger and ready to take on anybody that comes their way.