Boys Prep Basketball Preview: Fighting Falcons Bigger, Deeper

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[With hopes of improving on last season's one-win campaign, Elverado High School's Boys Basketball team starts its 2009-2010 grind at the always-tough Trico Pioneers Invitational Tournament.

The Fighting Falcons- coached by John Harrison and Mark Riley- battle Red Bud, predicted to be one of the south's better Class 2A teams, at 5:30 Monday as the tourney begins.

During the week, Elverado will also play Egyptian, Shawnee, Steeleville and the host Pioneers.

"We will hopefully be an improved team this year," said Harrison. "We should be bigger and have more depth than we've had in the past."

Leading scorer Kyle Kempfer (6'2, sr., 10.1 ppg.) is one of two returning starters for Elverado. Herby Sandlin, a 5'10 senior guard, netted about four points per game also returns. Landry Arnett (5'10) and Landon Stewart (6'0) make-up the four player senior class. Both return plenty of experience. A pair of juniors, Ben Kempfer (6'0) and Dalton Hasty (5'8) are being counted on, along with sophomore guards Bryce Mathis (5'7) and Dalton Porter (5'9).

A pair of freshmen- 6'1 Jake Lipe and Kyle Whittington (5'9)- will round out the Fighting Falcons rotation.

"I've got a better outlook for this year," Harrison said. "If we can just get a few victories and be more competitive."

Elverado's first home game is Dec. 11 vs. Zeigler-Royalton

Elverado Falcons

2009-2010 Basketball Roster

Head coach: John Harrison (third year)

Assistant coach: Mark Riley

SENIORS- Kyle Kempfer 6-2, F; Landry Arnett 5-10, G; Herby Sandlin 5-10, G; Landon Stewart 6-0, F.

JUNIORS- Ben Kempfer 6-0, F; Dalton Hasty, 5'8, G.

SOPHOMORES- Bryce Mathis 5-7, G; Dalton Porter, 5-9, G.

FRESHMEN- Jake Lipe 6-1, F; Kyle Whittington, 5-9, G.