Aurora Houn’ Dawgs
Head Coach: Adam Thornhill
Key returning players: Cannon Thornhill, 6-1, jr., G; Cameron Whitener, 5-9, sr., G; Thomas Lara, 6-0, jr., G; Landon Boatwright, 6-2, sr., F; Jayden Carpenter, 6-3, sr., F
Coach Thornhill says:
“We have a nice mix of several very experienced players with a few talented new faces. This group will be quick and capable of playing a very aggressive style on both ends. After playing in the district championship game the past two seasons, this group is hungry.”
Carthage Tigers
Head Coach: Nathan Morris
Key returning players: Kruz Castor, 6-3, sr., F; Trent Yates, 5-11, sr., G; Dylan Pugh, 5-10, sr., G; Taylor Stevens-Diggs, 6-2, sr., C; Colt Pugh, 6-0, sr., G; Jaeden Morris, 5-11, sr., G
Coach Morris says:
“I think we will be better in terms of ball movement and even more balanced scoring. We will have four guys on the court at all times that can knock down threes consistently.”
Joplin Eagles
Head Coach: Nick Pfeifer
Key returning players: Trenton Gage, 5-10, sr., G; Cooper Williams, 5-11, sr., G; Collis Jones, 6-3, sr., F; Brecken Green, 6-2, jr., F
Coach Pfeifer says:
“I believe we are all really looking forward to the upcoming season. There have been a lot of positives for us from ending a difficult season last year to the start of this season, and we are excited to see that improvement.”
Neosho Wildcats
Head Coach: Zane Culp
Key returning players: Kanten Smith, 6-3, sr., F; Kaiden Asberry, jr., G
Coach Culp says:
“We have a great mix of sophomores and juniors to go along with our two seniors. The boys are hungry to prove they are a competitive tough basketball team.”
Webb City Cardinals
Head Coach: Jason Horn
Key returning players: Holton Keith, 6-1, sr., G; Eli Pace, 6-1, sr., G; Trae Turner, 6-1, sr., G
Coach Horn says:
“When you add in a group of juniors who gained valuable varsity experience as sophomores last season I think we will have a team that can compete with anyone on our schedule.”
GIRLS
Carthage Tigers
Head Coach: Scott Moore
Key returning players: Lauren Choate, 5-8, sr., F; Lexa Youngblood, 5-10, sr., G; Maggie Boyd, 5-8, sr., F; Jaidyn Brunnert, 5-7, sr., F
Coach Moore says:
“We should be an exciting team to watch play with our up-tempo offense and aggressive man-to-man defense. These girls like to get out and run and have fun playing the game at that pace.”
