LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Last season the Little Rock Christian boys won their first basketball state title since 2005, and now they're the ones with the target on their backs
"We're the hunted now. We got to be the hunted now [because] everybody's after us and so we've got to bring it, " said LRCA Head Coach Kyle Pennington.
This is the team's second year under head coach Pennington.
This year's team includes talented newcomers and veterans like Louisiana Tech signee Landren Blocker who was the game MVP in last year's 4A state championship game.
"We put in a lot of work here in the gym. We just want to go out there and rely on what we work on and get the results and learn from it and keep going," Blocker explained.
The Warriors lead the 4A-5 conference with a 13-1 record and they are 20-7 overall.
Six of LRCA's losses have been to teams outside the state of Arkansas or in the 6A class, which proves that Little Rock Christian is a competitive group.
"We have a lot of young guys here and it's a lot of fun. It helps the older guys really chill and relax, but also know when to get serious. It helps to really step into that leader role. It's been a fun journey, " Blocker said.
"The mentality is let's just finish strong here. We've already sewn up the conference championship, so we need to just finish strong and get guys ready to play. Next week, it's the regional tournament and we call it winning time," Pennington said. "During winning time, everything's heightened. You know, everybody gets a little bit tighter and so it's the best part of the year for basketball."
Up next the Little Rock Christian Warriors will play at Heber Springs on Friday, February 16.