By Shelley Ebbrecht (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
This season is all about improvement for the Dadeville Bearcats who finished last season just 4-22, leaving a lot of room for just that.
“We want to improve our record from last year through hard work and dedication,” said Curtis Collins who is returning for his second year as head coach for the Bearcats. “We have a great group of guys on this team and, after a rebuilding season last year, we now have the experience needed to put some of the things we have learned into action.”
Zeb Medley was the team’s lone graduated senior from last year. Collins said Medley was a “tough-minded player with a wide variety of skills. We will miss his rebounding and defense.”
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Jarrett Sappington and Teddy McMasters are the top returning starters for Dadeville this season. Sappington averaged 13 points and 3 assists per game last season. McMasters, an All-Polk County League Boys Second Team honoree, averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. Both Sappington and McMasters are on track to reach their 1,000th point this season.
Wyatt Sneed is the third senior who will add instant production along with junior guard Skylor Horton. Collins said Horton is a skilled shooter and reliable from the free throw line. Sophomore Will Toler will start for the Bearcats as a perimeter player who can play multiple positions.
“Our strength this year will be our continuity and familiarity with each other,” Collins said. “We return four starters from last season and one other letterman. After a tough season last year, we hope to continue our improvement on both ends of the court with most of the same guys.”
The newcomer to watch out for is Clint McGill, the team’s lone incoming freshman.
“Clint offers good defense and intense effort on the court,” Collins said. “He is a freshman who will contribute at the varsity level from the bench.”
Collins said the team’s primary improvement over the summer was their outside shooting.
“Last season we did not shoot many 3s, so this off season we made a conscious effort to improve each player’s outside shot. We are now much more adept at playing behind the arc.”
The Bearcats will kick off their season with their home opener against Lockwood November 18 before competing in the Humansville Tournament beginning November 28. One of the toughest stretches of their schedule comes in January with back-to-back- tournaments on the road.
“We play back-to-back in the Golden City Tournament and the Stockton Tournament this season,” said Collins. “Last year we were able to get upset wins in both of those tournaments, so we are definitely excited for that time of the season.”
