Tip time

Tip time

Little Rock Hall invades Lehr Arena on Monday night

WM School District It may be unseasonably warm outside, but that winter sport we love is on the precipice.

The West Memphis Blue Devil basketball teams will give fans a preview of their 2016-17 prospects on Monday night at 7 at Lehr Arena as both clubs take on Little Rock Hall.

The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night, but it conflicted with election night.

Tip-off for the girls game is set for 6 p.m., followed immediately after by the boys contest.

The AWM boys, with Larry Bray at the coaching helm and assisted by Marcus Brown, expect to be contenders in both conference and state play this season.

'We feel like we're ready to go,' said Bray. 'We've put a lot of work in. I'm sure there will be some nerves present, but we've got some kids who are anxious about getting out on the floor and playing.'

The Blue Devils, 17-12 last season in advancing to the quarterfinals of the Class 7A state tournament, return a few key pieces from last year's team in junior Zachary Byrd and senior Demarious Hudson.

But it's the newcomers who are creating much of the excitement in the preseason. Ninth-grade talent Chris Moore is being moved up to the varsity and is expected to start on opening night.

Sophomore point guard Cavin Paige has stood out in preseason practice and is making a strong bid to run the Blue Devil show this season and there are three juniors who competed on the JV team last year that are expected to be strong this season in Kelsey Hubbard, Curtis Washington and Sidney Stinson.

The Lady Devils, 15-11 last season, are also excited about their upcoming season.

'We've got 10 seniors back,' said Lady Devils head coach Shelia Burns.

'We're experienced and we've set our goals high for this year. With this many leaders who've been through the fire, we're hoping this is their year to break through.'

By Billy Woods