The 2016-17 basketball season at Bryant High School gets underway in earnest tonight as Greenbrier pays a visit to the Hornets Nest . The varsity girls game begins at 6 with the varsity boys starting around 7:15 or 7:30.
The Hornets return four starters from a team that reached the Class 7A State Tournament semifinals last year, losing in overtime to eventual champion Cabot on their home floor. Senior guards Calvin Allen and Romen Martin have been playing with the varsity since they were moved up as freshmen. Lowell Washington and Braylen Steen also started last year on the Hornets’ front line.
Though the expectations are high, head coach Mike Abrahamson has compiled a rugged pre-conference schedule to prepare the Hornets for an even tougher league slate in the revised 7A-Central Conference and in hopes of another strong run at the State tourney.
The Hornets earned an impressive win over Maumelle, expected to be another top team in the state, 61-53, on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Meanwhile, the Lady Hornets are trying to pull together with a revamped lineup that includes just one full-time returning starter in senior point guard Kendal Rogers. Juniors Raven Loveless and Kelly Williams also saw varsity action last year but the Lady Hornets’ top three scorers from a year ago are no longer around.
Head coach Brad Matthews worked deep into his bench to help turn back Maumelle, 39-24.
Tonight’s game was originally scheduled for Greenbrier but was moved to Bryant’s face-lifted gym earlier this fall.
