By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Chris Pilz has spent a quarter century as a head coach and few seasons have tested the mettle of his players like last year.
Waynesville suffered through two separate five-game losing streaks as an inexperienced roster adjusted to varsity basketball.
However, the Tigers did rebound late to advance to the district semifinals before losing to eventual champion Willard.
Waynesville is again undergoing some roster turnover, but Pilz is excited to see how his kids continue to respond to last season’s adversity.
“Most of our players returning logged heavy minutes on our sub-varsity team and gained valuable court time on the varsity,” said Pilz. “When you have a season like we did a year ago it will reveal your true character.
“We have good kids in our basketball program. I have been impressed with how our players and coaching staff handled a tough season. Our returning players and coaches have spent the offseason improving daily. Our team is looking forward to a new season of competition.”
On a team that will be thirsting for leadership, Pilz potentially has two good ones in seniors Caleb Barnes and David Adams Jr.
Both are returners from last year.
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“Caleb is a buy-in guy,” said Pilz. “He has led the way this off-season. He has improved his basketball skills, strength, and conditioning. Plays with a tremendous amount of energy and hustle.”
“David played well this summer. There will be strong competition in the backcourt for minutes.”
There will be several juniors and sophomores in the rotation for Pilz.
At 6-foot-7, junior Ed Huling will be one of the few big bodies on Waynesville’s roster.
Classmates Carson Cavalier, Zeke Rogers and Eric Morris will also figure into the guard or win equation.
Sophomore Jayden Smith is another interior presence for the Tigers. Shen Lawson-Butler is a sophomore guard that will compete for minutes.
While it remains to be seen how quickly Waynesville’s roster can not only adjust to the speed of high-level varsity basketball and identify roles, it is certain that the Ozark Conference is still one of the best basketball leagues in Missouri and the Tigers will see a schedule loaded with talented teams.
Pilz is excited about putting his group through gauntlet and challenging them to grow as a team.
“We have a consistent group of kids who have been committed to working really hard in the offseason,” said Pilz. “In my experiences with high school basketball, teams who listen, commit, and work hard have success.
“For any team, at any level I believe your success starts and ends with the ability to limit distractions. There is a lot of pollution and static in the world for young men today. The challenge for a successful team is filter it properly. Success for us will be building solid relationships and improving daily.”
