Ballard hired as senior boys basketball coach

Buffalo Island Central Coach Brandon Ballard will be adding the senior high boys basketball to his list of coaching duties.

Ballard is familiar with the BIC program as he worked as a volunteer assistant coach at BIC for two years before being hired last year to coach the boys seventh grade and junior high, and serve as senior assistant coach.

In a special board meeting held March 23 Ballard was hired unanimously to coach the seventh grade, junior high and senior high boys basketball and senior high baseball for the 2017-2018 school year. Ballard will be on a 12-month contract starting July 1.

During his years at BIC he said he has learned from two coaches.

"I have learned from two styles of coaching," Ballard said. "Both have been helpful to me and will impact on how I want to run my team. There may be some similarities."

The 2005 BIC graduate and member of the Mustang State Champion team, Ballard called coaching at BIC his dream job.

"I had always hoped to be at BIC as coach," he said. "I hope to be here a long time."

Ballard is excited and ready to begin.

"Most of our senior high team will be returning next year," he said. "We only have two seniors this year. We have a group of very talented ninth graders moving up."

Ballard grew up in Leachville and was a four year starter for the Buffalo Island Central Mustangs. He average 21.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists as a senior. His senior year the Mustangs won the Class AA State Championship. He also lettered at Arkansas State as a freshman.

He expressed his appreciation to the administration and school board for giving him this opportunity.