By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Toughness and culture are the priorities for Walnut Grove under new head coach Jeff Dishman.
What the Tigers may lack in varsity experience early on, they plan to make up for with a team-first attitude.
“We want to create a culture where the players come in every day, punch the clock and go to work,” Dishman said. “Where every player respects the name on that jersey and gives his teammates 100 percent every practice and every game.
“We want to be mentally and physically tougher each night than our opponent. We will work very hard on the defensive end and hopefully that leads to good offense.”
Dishman coaches the Walnut Grove softball team in the fall and previously served as the girls’ basketball assistant coach.
He replaces Darin Meinders, who became the new head men’s basketball coach at Baptist Bible College in Springfield.
Meinders coached the Tigers to four district championships and three final four appearances, including a Class 1 state championship in 2017.
Walnut Grove comes off a 14-12 overall season. The Tigers graduated the bulk of their scoring with a senior class that included all-state guard Dawson Meinders and all-conference guard Ryan Keith.
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The Tigers will look to get increased production from seniors Rylee Gavisk (6’4”) and Trenton Saunders (6’2”).
“Rylee has put in time in the weight room over the summer and offseason. He’s a mobile big man who has to play well every night for us to be competitive,” Dishman said. “He hasn’t been asked to score much in the past, but I look forward to seeing his progress over the season.
“Trenton is another kid that put some work in last summer. He was a good defender last year, and this year we want him to be great at what he does. He is capable on the offensive end.”
The Tigers boast more size with juniors Zach Hejna (6’2”) and Caidon Clayton (6’3”). Both will play prominent roles.
“Zach’s a strong, post-style player who plays inside and out,” Dishman said. “He can really shoot it and gets to the basket well. We look for him to be a leader on and off the floor.
“Caidon doesn’t have much varsity experience, but he is athletic and has the ability to get to the rim. We need him to play well early and often.”
The varsity roster will also feature sophomores Lane Holman, Ethan Buckner, Cody Keith and Michael “Stoggs” Stogsdill.
Holman and Buckner played on the JV last year and have caught Dishman’s eye with their efforts in the weight room.
Keith also played on the JV last season and is one of the team’s top shooters.
Dishman described Stogsdill as a “hard worker who brings competitiveness to the team.”
Varsity newcomers include seniors Brayden Patterson (6’3”) and Hunter Deckard (5’11”), along with junior Juan Hernando (5’11”).
Patterson is back after taking last season off, Dishman said, and provides capable defense in the post.
“He works hard in the weight room and if he continues to get better around the basket will be a tough player to guard,” Dishman said.
Deckard is also back after not playing last season.
“He is a quick guard that can handle it and loves getting to the rim,” Dishman said. “We need him to be very good from the start. If he plays well, we can do some things.”
Hernando comes to Walnut Grove from Madrid, Spain.
“He loves playing basketball and we look for him to have a huge impact on our team,” Dishman said. “If he can adjust to our style, he could have a breakout year.”
With many players new to the varsity level, Dishman said the Tigers may need time to gel but could be a dangerous team as the season progresses.
“Our inexperience might show early but we will be prepared to do the little things that will help us adjust to the speed and physicality of the game,” he said.
“If we can get the players to buy in, and compete each day, I think we have a chance to sneak up on some people. We have a fun, hard-working group.”
Walnut Grove opens the regular season Nov. 26 at home against Diamond.
