Basketball teams hit the court across county
December 11, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
With football season officially wrapped and the cold weather upon us, the time of year is here for indoor sports to shine. Boys basketball season began earlier this month with teams all over Barry County taking to the court.
The Barry County team with the current strongest record is Purdy High School. The team currently sits at an even three wins and three losses after a loss suffered at the hands of College Heights on Tuesday, December 10.
According to Purdy’s head basketball coach, Ryan Stokes, the team has had a solid showing thus far, and is beginning to find a rhythm on the court.
“It’s been up and down,” explained Stokes. “We’ve played okay, but our defense is our strength. We played the Pierce City Tournament, and that’s a tough tournament to play anyway, and that’s where Billings got us pretty good.”
Stokes went on to explain speed and work ethic are crucial to the team’s performance on the court.
“We’re pretty quick, but I think our biggest strength is our work ethic,” said Stokes. “When we get out there and put our minds to it, we can out work anyone out there on the court. When we decide to work hard, we haven’t lost.”
Standout players from the Purdy team include two who lead the team in rebounds, Scottie Henry and Ociel Aldalva.
“We rebound really well,” said Stokes. “I’ve got Scottie Henry, who is seven feet tall, and second in rebounds behind Ociel Aldava, who both lead the team right now. They really cause some problems for some people out there.”
Purdy’s next game will pit them against Exeter High at home on Friday, December 13. Exeter goes into the game with no wins and three losses.
Exeter’s head coach, Courtney Roth said the team’s early season record is due to some shifts in the roster causing some shake-ups among the team.
“We've had a rough start with a couple key players quitting and the team underperforming relative to our capabilities,” said Roth. “Our biggest obstacle has been our mindset. We don't seem to fully believe we can win. It feels like we expect to lose before the ball has been tipped. It's a battle with our subconscious mind. Our basketball-specific decision making is improving, but that has been one of our obstacles as well.”
Though the early roster issues have contributed to a winless record thus far, Roth remains determined that his team has the stuff to give the rest of their division a fight for the remainder of the season.
“Our best all-around player is sophomore guard Corey Hilburn,” explained Roth. “He has the potential to be one of Exeter's all-time best players. Consciously, we're committed to getting better. We keep fighting late in games that are out of reach. That's not easy to do.”
Down in southern Barry County, another team with an even record is steeling their own resolve to fight through the season. Southwest High’s basketball team currently holds a record of two wins and two losses.
According to head coach Rusty Roe, the team has put forth an exceptional effort this season despite a shortage of upperclassmen to pack the roster.
"We are very young, but there is a great group of talent that has really stepped up to the challenge of varsity basketball,” explained Roe. “We have two seniors and the remaining 15 players on our team are either freshman or sophomore."
The Southwest team may not have much in the way of upperclassmen, but according to Roe, the returning players on this year’s team are already turning up the heat on the competition.
"Cruz Marquez is a returning all conference player who has had an excellent season so far, including a career high 41 points in our tip off game,” boasted Roe. “Caden Uthe is a returning starter from last season and he has done a great job so far leading our team on offense and defense. Aubrey Cornell is the only other returning varsity player from last season. Aubrey is having a good senior year so far and is a much needed player for us on both ends of the floor.”
Southwest’s next matchup will be on Friday, December 13. It will be an away game against Marionville, a team also boasting an even 2-2 record this season.
Wheaton’s boys basketball team currently has a record of two wins and four losses after a loss to Galena on Tuesday, December 10. Wheaton comes into this season after having only managed three wins in the 2018-19 season. According to head coach Jody Cavness, now entering his second year in the position, the inexperienced that led to his team’s record last year is already looking to be a thing of the past.
“Last year, we were a three-win basketball team,” explained Cavness. “We were very sophomore-heavy and inexperienced, varsity-wise. It was a learning year for us. This year, all of my sophomores came back. I’ve got a good senior, a great freshman group, and fantastic eighth grade group that will be ready to join us next year.”
With last year’s experience under their belts, the Wheaton team, both old and new, came together to already nearly match their previous season’s win record, putting them well on track to have a stellar season.
“We’re a lot bigger, faster and stronger this year,” said Cavness. “They’ve got a year of my coaching under their belt now, and I think that it’s all starting to come together. We’re all more in-tune than we were previously.”
Cavness explained that the team’s biggest strength comes from their offensive and defensive balance they are able to strike on the court.
“We’re pretty balanced this year. Three of the games that we’ve played, I’ve had at least three players in the double figures,” Cavness explained.
Wheaton will get the opportunity to test their newfound cohesion later this week, on Friday, December 13, when they travel to take on the team from Sparta.
Finally, Cassville’s boy’s basketball team currently holds a record of one win and three losses. Most recently, Cassville suffered a 65-72 loss against Neosho. Cassville coach Barrett Milleson could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.
Vinnie Roberts
With football season officially wrapped and the cold weather upon us, the time of year is here for indoor sports to shine. Boys basketball season began earlier this month with teams all over Barry County taking to the court.
The Barry County team with the current strongest record is Purdy High School. The team currently sits at an even three wins and three losses after a loss suffered at the hands of College Heights on Tuesday, December 10.
According to Purdy’s head basketball coach, Ryan Stokes, the team has had a solid showing thus far, and is beginning to find a rhythm on the court.
“It’s been up and down,” explained Stokes. “We’ve played okay, but our defense is our strength. We played the Pierce City Tournament, and that’s a tough tournament to play anyway, and that’s where Billings got us pretty good.”
Stokes went on to explain speed and work ethic are crucial to the team’s performance on the court.
“We’re pretty quick, but I think our biggest strength is our work ethic,” said Stokes. “When we get out there and put our minds to it, we can out work anyone out there on the court. When we decide to work hard, we haven’t lost.”
Standout players from the Purdy team include two who lead the team in rebounds, Scottie Henry and Ociel Aldalva.
“We rebound really well,” said Stokes. “I’ve got Scottie Henry, who is seven feet tall, and second in rebounds behind Ociel Aldava, who both lead the team right now. They really cause some problems for some people out there.”
Purdy’s next game will pit them against Exeter High at home on Friday, December 13. Exeter goes into the game with no wins and three losses.
Exeter’s head coach, Courtney Roth said the team’s early season record is due to some shifts in the roster causing some shake-ups among the team.
“We've had a rough start with a couple key players quitting and the team underperforming relative to our capabilities,” said Roth. “Our biggest obstacle has been our mindset. We don't seem to fully believe we can win. It feels like we expect to lose before the ball has been tipped. It's a battle with our subconscious mind. Our basketball-specific decision making is improving, but that has been one of our obstacles as well.”
Though the early roster issues have contributed to a winless record thus far, Roth remains determined that his team has the stuff to give the rest of their division a fight for the remainder of the season.
“Our best all-around player is sophomore guard Corey Hilburn,” explained Roth. “He has the potential to be one of Exeter's all-time best players. Consciously, we're committed to getting better. We keep fighting late in games that are out of reach. That's not easy to do.”
Down in southern Barry County, another team with an even record is steeling their own resolve to fight through the season. Southwest High’s basketball team currently holds a record of two wins and two losses.
According to head coach Rusty Roe, the team has put forth an exceptional effort this season despite a shortage of upperclassmen to pack the roster.
"We are very young, but there is a great group of talent that has really stepped up to the challenge of varsity basketball,” explained Roe. “We have two seniors and the remaining 15 players on our team are either freshman or sophomore."
The Southwest team may not have much in the way of upperclassmen, but according to Roe, the returning players on this year’s team are already turning up the heat on the competition.
"Cruz Marquez is a returning all conference player who has had an excellent season so far, including a career high 41 points in our tip off game,” boasted Roe. “Caden Uthe is a returning starter from last season and he has done a great job so far leading our team on offense and defense. Aubrey Cornell is the only other returning varsity player from last season. Aubrey is having a good senior year so far and is a much needed player for us on both ends of the floor.”
Southwest’s next matchup will be on Friday, December 13. It will be an away game against Marionville, a team also boasting an even 2-2 record this season.
Wheaton’s boys basketball team currently has a record of two wins and four losses after a loss to Galena on Tuesday, December 10. Wheaton comes into this season after having only managed three wins in the 2018-19 season. According to head coach Jody Cavness, now entering his second year in the position, the inexperienced that led to his team’s record last year is already looking to be a thing of the past.
“Last year, we were a three-win basketball team,” explained Cavness. “We were very sophomore-heavy and inexperienced, varsity-wise. It was a learning year for us. This year, all of my sophomores came back. I’ve got a good senior, a great freshman group, and fantastic eighth grade group that will be ready to join us next year.”
With last year’s experience under their belts, the Wheaton team, both old and new, came together to already nearly match their previous season’s win record, putting them well on track to have a stellar season.
“We’re a lot bigger, faster and stronger this year,” said Cavness. “They’ve got a year of my coaching under their belt now, and I think that it’s all starting to come together. We’re all more in-tune than we were previously.”
Cavness explained that the team’s biggest strength comes from their offensive and defensive balance they are able to strike on the court.
“We’re pretty balanced this year. Three of the games that we’ve played, I’ve had at least three players in the double figures,” Cavness explained.
Wheaton will get the opportunity to test their newfound cohesion later this week, on Friday, December 13, when they travel to take on the team from Sparta.
Finally, Cassville’s boy’s basketball team currently holds a record of one win and three losses. Most recently, Cassville suffered a 65-72 loss against Neosho. Cassville coach Barrett Milleson could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.