Fordland is poised for big things with senior first-team all-conference guards Jake Farnsworth and Hunter Burks returning for coach Brett Rippee’s second season.
Farnsworth averaged 22.1 points, 5.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game. While making 115 3-point shots.
“Jake will be our point guard this season and I expect him to have a great year. He has received some college offers and I believe his confidence is sky high right now,” Rippee said. “I believe he is a much better leader than he was a year ago, but we need him to expand that role even further. He has gotten stronger and improved his attacking game to go with his elite level shooting.”
Burks scored 23 points per game last year with 8.1 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He also knocked down 45 3-pointers while shooting 47.3% from the field.
“Hunter is a shooting guard that can leap and will probably play all five positions at different times this year,” Rippee said. “He has improved his ability to get to the rim more often and we need him to continue to be aggressive in trying to get there. He is a solid 3-point shooter and has worked hard to be more consistent from downtown. Defensively he needs to become a stopper for us.”
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Fellow senior Brett Hyder has improved over the offseason. Rippee will look for him to score when he can and be disruptive on defense and rebound.
Junior Joe Hart didn’t play last year, but will have a big impact this year. He will give the Eagles a third scoring option. Harti is also a knockdown shooter and the team’s best defender.
Sophomore Buster Brown made big strides over the offseason and will be a key varsity contributor this season. He also is a strong outside shooter.
Speed and shooting will be key for an undersized Fordland group.
“We will be very fast, athletic, and have more offensive firepower this year outside of Jake and Hunter. We do not have a ton of size so we will play position-less basketball at times, which I feel could pose match-up problems for our opponents. We also have good team chemistry and this team is coming together on and off the floor,” Rippee said.
Fordland has a strong nucleus that should lead to an improvement on last year’s 11-15 record.
“We have the chance to have a good season,” Rippee said. “I know we don’t have a lot of depth, but I like the kids that I have. I am just going to approach this season day to day and get back to just getting better every day. I am excited to coach this team and it seems this group just wants to win more and that is encouraging.”
Fordland opens the season on Nov. 20 at home against Hurley.
