Trojans start era without West

Hot Springs' Derrick Hicks (10) chases after Nashville's Tayshaun Davis (24) during the Hot Springs Invitational Thursday at Trojan Arena. - Photo by Krishnan Collins of The Sentinel-Record
Hot Springs' Derrick Hicks (10) chases after Nashville's Tayshaun Davis (24) during the Hot Springs Invitational Thursday at Trojan Arena. - Photo by Krishnan Collins of The Sentinel-Record

Hot Springs began a new era when the Trojans tipped off against Nashville Thursday night.

Antoni Lasker's team graduated star Jabari West after last season, and the Trojans (1-0) started life without him in their first game of the season against the Scrappers (0-2) in the Hot Springs Invitational.

"They've stepped up huge," Lasker said. "Kendall Williams is one of our guys that's a vocal leader, and he also leads by example. He's done a great job filling that void as a junior. (Octavious Rhodes), you see what he did tonight. ... Nasir Hannah had about seven assists tonight. So he stepped up -- one of our senior leaders. It was just a good, solid team win."

Rhodes led the Trojans with 20 points, and he will be one of Hot Springs' most important players throughout the season with West gone.

"That's what I expected from O," Lasker said. "He had a great year in football. I told O that he needed to step up and fill the void or fill some of the void that Jabari left. He stepped up and did that."

Hot Springs advanced to the winners bracket in the tournament after the 58-36 victory over Nashville.

"I thought we were a little lackadaisical the first quarter and a half," Lasker said. "We picked it up at the last four to five minutes of the second quarter. We made a run to get up. Then we came out flat after halftime. But overall I think we had pretty good energy. We had good bench energy. We had good on court energy and we defended."

Lakser emphasized that he was happy his team kept Nashville under 40 points in the contest.

The Trojans competed in periods of the game where they were able to force plenty of turnovers.

"I think with our length and athleticism we'll be able to do that a lot," Lasker said. "I think it was definitely a plus because we didn't shoot the ball well. So we were able to get points off those turnovers. Which was really, really good, because if we don't get those turnovers I don't think we maybe score over 40."

While some Arkansas teams already have a few games under their belt this season, this was Lasker's first look at his team on the court in a competitive environment against an opponent this year.

"We have to be better conditioned," Lasker said. "We get tired after certain spurts. We've got to be better conditioned. We have to lock in and focus for longer periods of time. We've got to become a better shooting team. We stunk it up shooting the ball tonight. Guys have to sacrifice some time and get in the gym. We've got to become a much better shooting team."

Tayshaun Davis led Nashville with nine points, and Kyle Whiteman finished with eight for the Scrappers.

With a grueling season ahead for the Trojans, Lasker gave a shout out to assistant coach Trey Lenox.

"He's done a great job with those guys in the weight room and conditioning," Lasker said. "Even though I think our football guys have to get in a little better shape coming back from football season, I think overall he's done a great job with those guys' bodies. It showed today with how physical we were."

Hot Springs continues its quest for the Invitational title against Maumelle at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

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