By Nolan Epstein
What a difference two years can make.
Shortly following the end of the 2013-14 boys basketball season, the School of the Ozarks Patriots were looking back on a tough eight-win season wondering which direction the program was heading.
Two years later, they found themselves as Mark Twain Conference champions with an impressive 25-4 overall record, a second consecutive district crown and a berth into the state quarterfinal round under head coach Jerry Martin.
“[Last season was the] best of my career,” Martin said. “We had a phenomenal group of young men that happened to work incredibly hard, especially on the defensive end to accomplish back-to-back district titles.”
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This season, things will figure to get a little more interesting for S of O as it moves up to MSHSAA Class 2 – meaning new, tough competition that will put the Patriots to the test fresh off a season to remember.
“Moving to Class 2 is a big deal,” Martin said. “We play some competition that will challenge us and help get us ready for our district. Getting through that tournament will be a big and fun test.”
S of O, part of District 11 in Class 2 play, is in a group that contains solid teams such as Crane, Marionville and Blue Eye. Martin, who is in his third year manning the Patriots, believes his new-look squad is more than capable of stepping up to the challenge.
The Patriots do graduate five seniors from last year’s team, including forward Keaton Tillack and point guard Cade Martin – both of whom were 1,000-point scorers in their high-school careers. However, the program remains in good hands.
Representing the senior core back for Martin is Billy Evans, a four-year starter that was good for 9 PPG and 5 RPG a season ago and has a shot to reach the 1,000-point plateau this winter. Fellow seniors Jedediah Black, Nathan Franks, Cole Thompson and Keyton Smith will all provide much-needed depth and experience for the Patriots throughout the season.
Zach Martin, a junior letterman that averaged 7 PPG during his sophomore year, will be asked to use his shooting skills to put points on the board after his 2015-16 role as a backup point guard. Another returning letterman, junior Nate Brown, is also a valuable player for Martin and hopes to improve on his 6 PPG and 4 RPG last year to help fill the void left by the graduated players.
“I’m excited about how the new group of guys will mesh together, seeing how this team develops with our senior class from last year and what new identity we’ll have, and who will step into leadership roles,” said Martin.
The Patriots will be in plenty of enemy territory early on as they don’t play their first home game until Dec. 13 against Hurley.
The Forsyth Invitational (Nov. 28 – Dec. 3) and Seymour Bank Winter Classic (Jan. 2 – 7) will also prove to be big tests for S of O, but Martin’s biggest concern currently lies with his own squad.
“I think one of our biggest challenges will be us, and how we gel and play together,” Martin added. “We have some solid returning talent, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot if you are your own worst enemy.”
S of O travels to play Humansville in the season opener on Nov. 18.
