Tyler Gripka enters his third year as the head coach of the Jasper boys team. The Eagles are coming off of an 11-13 season last year and must replace four graduated players. That group includes Levi Brown, Byron Stevens, Nick Chartier and Stephen Grimmett.
Jasper will have a strong group returning though.
“We will have size and experience. We will have four kids from 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-5. We also have six kids that have varsity game experience,” Gripka said.
Seniors McGwire Rice and Logan Winchester along with juniors Caleb Brown and Levi Hale are the key returning players. Winchester averaged seven points and seven rebounds per game last year. Brown only played in eight games last year, but averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game in his limited time. Hale comes back after averaging eight points and four rebounds per game.
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Two senior transfers in Davon Williams (Neosho) and Joseph Weatherly (Nixa) along with junior Aden Sisseck and sophomores Jayce Talbot and Jeff O’Dell will be some new faces on the varsity.
“We have some high expectations this year. We believe that if we play well night in and night out we can compete for a conference championship as well as a district championship. We want to get better with every game and by the end of the year be playing our best basketball,” Gripka said.
Gripka’s four seniors will be key to realizing those expectations.
“I believe we can have a lot of success this year. I will be looking to my seniors to be leaders. If we can limit mistakes and stay healthy, I believe we can have a very successful year,” Gripka said.
Jasper opens its season on Nov. 21 at Rich Hill.
