By Riley Bean (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Head Coach: Jeremy Land
2015-16 record: 19-9 – Lost to Webb City in the Class 4, District 12 title game.
Top Players: Alex Turner (F), Tommy Sangston (F), Garrett Tharp (G), Cameron Johnson (F), Gavin Carr (G), Jackson Spencer (G), Zack Blevins (F)
For three straight years from 2012-2015, the Monett Cubs boys’ basketball team was eliminated in the first round of its district tournament. That streak came to an end last season when the Cubs made it to the Class 4, District 12 championship game.
Seven players graduated from last year’s 19-9 squad, including All-Big 8 selections Jonah Paszek (11.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.1 SPG) and Logan Coones (18.7 PPG). Coones led the team in scoring and Paszek led the team in rebounds, assists and steals.
“Those two were constants in our program for the last three years,” said Monett head coach Jeremy Land. “They both complimented each other very well. Both played a vital role in setting expectations high for our program as well. However, we lost seven seniors total that all contributed much to our success the last few years.”
Monett returns just one starter from last season in senior Alex Turner. He will have to help fill the void left by the seven graduates, but is poised to do so.
The 6’4” Turner was the fourth-leading scorer for Monett last year (7.2 PPG), but made a team-best 50.3% of his field goals and was second on the team with 5.2 rebounds per game.
Look for Turner to see a bump in scoring in his senior campaign.
“[Turner] has played varsity the last two years and will provide veteran leadership for us,” said Land. “He will be expected to take on a bigger role on the offensive side.”
Junior Cameron Johnson (6’5”) and senior Tommy Sangston (6’1”) will accompany Turner in the frontcourt.
Johnson can impact the game around the rim with his size, averaging nearly a block per game in limited varsity action last year as a sophomore. Sangston missed his junior season due to an ACL injury and will be eager to contribute as a senior.
Garrett Tharp, Gavin Carr, Jackson Spencer, Jedd Anderson and Brian Parra-Navarro will all compete for minutes at the guard positions.
“Garrett [Tharp] had a great JV season last year,” Coach Land said. “He has had a great off-season and is ready to step into a varsity role this year… Gavin [Carr] will handle our PG duties this year. He is a crafty player who can both score and distribute the basketball well.”
Monett will strive to make a repeat appearance in their district title game in 2016-17.
“The expectations remain the same every year,” said Land. “We are going to improve every day and compete every time out on the floor… This is a team that wants to keep the recent success going for our program. They are hungry and ready for their opportunity.”
