By Chris Parker
Galena boys basketball has all the pieces to improve upon last season’s 8-18 finish.
That upward trajectory starts with senior all-conference selection Dawson Sherer. He led the team last year averaging 15.3 ppg while pulling down 3 rpg and leading the team in assists with 2.4 per game.
“His defense has improved since last year and his ability to understand what is expected from him has grown exponentially,” Galena head coach David Sherer said. “He is not a vocal kid. That is not who he is. He has to have his work ethic be his voice to show what is expected.”
Wyatt Snelson brings his 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame to the paint after earning all-conference honors as a sophomore. He averaged a double-double last year with 10.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
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“His ability to rebound along score inside (allowed him to have success). He was projected to be on JV when the season started last year,” Sherer said. “He has grown some more. He has also put time into improving his midrange jump shot.”
The senior quartet of Chase Gallion, Joseph Price, Skylar Nielsen and Davon Stewart along with juniors Logan Thompson and Grant Harness all return after seeing varsity time last year. Price, Gallion, Nielsen and Harness all averaged between 3.9 and 5.3 points per game last year.
Junior point guard Presten Essary and sophomore Noah Gulick will have a varsity impact this year. Other players to keep an eye on include: Jonathan Johnson (Senior), Cameron Robertson (Sophomore), Logan Busbey (Sophomore), Kellen Campbell (Sophomore) Ethan Bailey (Sophomore), Brayden Sartin (Freshman), and Robert Carter (Freshman).
This will be an experienced group that could be poised for big things this year.
“My overall expectations is to grow and get better each day. With a much deeper squad it is much easier to keep and hold everyone to a higher standard and accountable. With that I believe growth can and will occur,” Sherer said.
Galena will open the season on Nov. 22 at Niangua.
