By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Halfway High School boys’ basketball team went through some growing pains last season, but coach Chandler Saultz sees the silver lining heading into the 2016-17 season.
The Cardinals, who went 3-20 overall and 1-6 in the Polk County League, lost guards Shawn Gumm and Devin Dickerson, a second-team all-district selection. Gumm led the Cardinals in scoring and assists, while Dickerson was often assigned to guard the opponent’s top player. “His work ethic and leadership will be missed,” said Saultz, who also coaches the Halfway girls’ team.
Halfway, which averaged 52 points per game, does return two seniors and four sophomores from last season.
Justin Rovenstine, a 5-11 senior forward, averaged 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Saultz looks to get more production from Rovenstine. And 6-1 senior forward Nate Porter averaged 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. Porter is described as a “very athletic forward with a very high ceiling.” At 6-1, Saultz says that Porter could turn into a great shot-blocker and anchor on the defensive end.
Caleb Gallivan, a 6-foot sophomore guard, averaged 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 4.3 steals per game. Gallivan will likely play the 2/3 guard position, which is more of a natural fit for him.
Ben Barham, a 5-8 sophomore guard, provides a spark on the defensive end and has improved his ballhandling. He averaged 4 points and 3.3 steals per game last season.
Dallas Dodd, 5-10 sophomore and Kody Agee, 5-11 sophomore also have a year of varsity experience under their belts. More sophomores who will compete for playing time include: Hayden McCarthy, 5-5 guard; Ryan Gallivan, 5-8 point guard; Kody Jenkins, 5-9 forward/shooting guard; Jarrett Rovenstine, 5-8 and Braden Russell, 5-8.
Freshmen Tyler Terrel and Nehmiah Porter look to contribute to the Cardinals this season, as well.
“We are a year older; our core group of kids are sophomores and juniors,” Saultz said. “We lost a lot of close contests last year that would have really changed our season. We are still figuring out how to win, but we are very athletic and have put in the work needed this off-season to be a very tough out in every game we play.”
