By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Last season, the Skyline Tigers made a deep postseason run with one of the youngest rosters in the area.
Skyline brings back all five starters from that team as they look to go a step farther this season: the Class 2 final four.
Skyline coach Tommy Egan said the Tigers, due to their depth, benefit from quality practices.
“We have a bunch of guys that possess a combination of talent and work ethic and we have great team chemistry,” he said. “We feel that our greatest strength are the competitive practices we can have day in and day out compared to some other schools our size.”
Senior and four-year starter Dax Beem, a 5’9” guard, leads the Skyline lineup.
The all-state selection averaged 19 points and nearly three assists per game last season.
“He works on his game as hard as anyone I have ever coached,” Egan said. “He shoots and handles the ball extremely well and continues to improve defensively.”
Sophomores Lawson Beem (13.4 ppg, 4.5 assists per game) and Jaytin DeFreece (11.7 ppg, 8.9 rebounds per game) broke into the starting lineup as freshmen.
Lawson Beem, a 5’9” guard, brings shooting, playmaking and quickness to the floor, Egan said. DeFreece, a 6’3” forward, led Skyline in rebounding.
Both earned all-conference honors.
“Jaytin has a high motor and makes huge contributions on both ends of the floor,” Egan said. “He played as well as anyone on our team throughout the playoffs. Lawson’s a very good ball-handler and passer. We feel he’ll be even better as a sophomore.”
Returning seniors Chris Logan (5’10”), Gage Gunter (5’10”) and Ethan Edwards (6’4”) all averaged between 4-8 points per game last season.
“Chris is one of the best shooters on the team and has improved his ball-handling and passing. He provides toughness and is a great teammate,” Egan said. “Gage will guard the other team’s best player night in and night out. He really flourished in that role last year.
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Edwards (3.8 rpg) was Skyline’s second-leading rebounder behind DeFreece.
“He is a solid on- and off-ball defender, rebounds well and is a capable scorer,” Egan said.
Senior Connor Logan, junior Trey Swearingin and sophomore Kourt Cheek round out the varsity returnees.
“Connor is the best teammate I’ve ever had the privilege to coach,” Egan said. “He’s a smart player and provides toughness. Trey is another one of our top defenders. He gained valuable varsity minutes last year and had a good summer for us.”
Cheek was the third of three freshmen who played on varsity for Skyline.
“He’s extremely fundamental and is solid in many aspects of the game,” Egan said.
The Tigers finished 20-9 overall last season, falling just a few points shy of a trip to the final four. Skyline lost 49-47 to Plattsburg in the Class 2 quarterfinals.
The Tigers have finished with a winning record each season since 2012-13, including four seasons of 20 or more wins.
Varsity newcomers include junior forwards Austin Craig (6’4”) and Antonio Irizarry (6’5”).
“They have a chance to provide us with depth in the post,” Egan said. “They are both athletic, rebound well and can finish near the basket.”
Sophomore Dawson Pitts (5’9”) and freshmen Weston Owen (6’0”) round out Skyline’s backcourt.
Skyline also picks up a quality transfer in junior Bradyn Porter, a 6’4” forward who previously played at Marshfield.
“He can play inside or outside, rebounds well, and has the ability to protect the rim defensively,” Egan said. “He has the talent to step in right away and be a major contributor to our team.”
Egan said Skyline has strengthened its schedule as well. In addition to the Mid-Lakes Conference slate and Blue and Gold Tournament, Skyline’s added Springfield Catholic (2019 Class 3 state runner-up) and St. Elizabeth (2019 Class 1 3rd place) to its schedule.
“We will definitely be battle tested going into districts,” Egan said. “Once again our biggest key will be putting team success ahead of individual wants, which is something we did a great job of last season.”
Skyline opens the regular season Dec. 2-7 at the Warsaw Tournament.
