By Chris Parker
Southwest boys basketball has a new head coach in Jeff Treat this season. He was head coach at Macks Creek each of the past two seasons.
Both proximity to home and the quality of the Southwest program made the job right for Treat.
“I wanted to closer to home which is in Arkansas, what attracted to me to Southwest is the recent success the boys program has had,” Treat said. “Coach Roe has done a great job with the program, and I am looking forward to continue the success of the program.”
He takes over a program coming off back-to-back district titles and 20-win seasons.
“For us to have a chance at another district title, we are going to need everyone to buy in and younger players to step up,” Treat said. “We have an energetic sophomore class that is going to help us. We also need our seniors that return to continue to get better. We are going to play fast this year, and we are going to need to be unique in our playing style.”
Kasen Holder returns as a two-time all-conference player.
“Kasen greatest asset is his ability to read and react to defense, he is never sped up and he has the ability to score at all three levels,” Treat said. “He will need to be more of a vocal leader, and he is going to be expected to score and make plays for us this year. He is going to have to make everybody better.”
Also returning are Tyler Meek (senior guard), Brady Brinkman (senior guard), Brayden Rose (senior center), Hunter Cain (senior guard), Skyler Reines (sophomore point guard), Lane Hendrix (sophomore forward) and Elijah Keeney (sophomore guard) all return.
Treat on Meek: “He is a returning starter that is going to continue to make 3’s for us this year and has been improving as a defender. He is going to help us a lot when teams go to zone against us.”
Treat on Brinkman: “He is a returning sixth man. He is going to bring toughness to our team and going to be able hit a bunch of 3’s for us.”
Treat on Rose: “Returning big man that came off the bench last year. He is going help us on defense and on the boards. Very physical player.
Treat on Cain: “Returning varsity player. He is going to help us have more depth on our team. He has worked hard this off season and is going to continue to improve.”
Treat on Reines: “Returning varsity player. Skyler is going to handle the ball for us a lot this year. Very scrappy player that is tough, going to be able to hit 3’s and make plays for others.”
Treat on Hendrix: “Returning varsity player. Lane is going to help us with inside scoring and help us on the defensive end.”
Treat on Kenney: “Returning varsity player. Elijah is going to handle the ball for us a lot this year as well. He is going to hit 3’s for us and be able to put pressure on other teams while he is guarding the ball.”
Junior guards Jacob Pierce and Dylan Frost will be newcomers to the varsity lineup.
Treat on Pierce: “Jacob is a transfer student. He is going to help us on the defensive end and also help us play fast this year.”
Treat on Frost: “Dylan is a former JV player. He is one of our most athletic players, and he going to help us on the defensive end.”
Guard depth and speed will be strengths.
“Our biggest strength this year is that we are going to be fast, and we will have depth at the guard position,” Treat said. “We are going to be up tempo and are going to try to out run teams.”
Southwest opens the season on Nov. 22 at Exeter.
“If we can keep improving throughout the year and we believe that we have a shot at another district championship we will consider that a successful season, but our main goal is to have the Southwest School District/community proud of our team,” Treat said. “I think it’s going to be another exciting year for the Southwest Boys Basketball team. We have new faces, and we have some youth, but these guys play very hard and they are going to be fun to watch.”
