By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With experience on their side, the Purdy Eagles are eager to add some new wrinkles as they go for a second straight district championship.
Purdy returns four starters from a team that peaked at the right time last season.
“We plan on being able to install some new stuff this year,” said Ryan Stokes, who enters his third season as Purdy’s head coach. “We will be pretty quick and should be able cause some problems on the defensive end. We’ll also be a lot deeper this season, so I hope that gives us an advantage in the fourth quarter.
“We can’t wait to play. It all started to click for us late in the year last season, so I hope we just keep the momentum rolling.”
Purdy’s led by a senior class who has multiple years of varsity experience.
Forward Osiel Aldava averaged 12 points and nine rebounds per game last season. He’s started every game since Stokes became Purdy’s head coach in 2018.
Aldava, a second team All-Southwest Central League (SWCL) selection, uses his sturdy frame (6’1”, 230 lbs.) to his advantage.
“He is one of the most skilled thick guys I have ever coached and when he decides to take over a game, he can,” Stokes said. “He carried us on the offensive end last year in districts and the playoffs. I expect him to have a great year and be one of the top players in the area.”
Like Aldava, Purdy point guard Clay Henderson has also started every varsity game in Stokes’ tenure.
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Henderson averaged eight points, five rebounds and a team-high 4.7 assists per game as a junior. He serves as Purdy’s on-the-floor coach.
“(Clay) makes us go,” Stokes said. “We expect him to take a bigger role in scoring and he should be one of our best defenders. He is one of the headiest players I have ever coached and he does a great job of leading our team.”
Senior guard Zach Brewer didn’t crack the starting lineup until midway through his sophomore season, but he’s been there ever since.
Brewer’s built a reputation for his defense. He averaged nine points, 4.7 rebounds and a team-high 4.8 steals last season.
“Zach’s one of the best on-ball defenders in Southwest Missouri,” Stokes said. “He’ll guard the other team’s best (perimeter player) and I know he will have success.
“One thing we need from (Zach) is to pick up some of the scoring we lost from our graduated players. Zach has the capability.”
Senior Jake Brown (6 ppg) had a breakout season last year and led Purdy in made 3-pointers. Stokes credited Brown’s work ethic.
“He spent more time in the gym than any other player and turned himself into a long range shooter,” Stokes said. “Jake hit big 3 after big 3 down the stretch.
“He has a big goal this season and I think he can achieve it. It’s going to take a few big nights, but I know he can do it.”
The Eagles return additional varsity depth with the likes of junior forward Jesus Aldava and guards Angel Perez and Ezequiel Garcia.
“Jesus played in over half of our varsity games,” Stokes said. “He’s a great defender and quick to the ball. We think this will be his breakout season.”
Garcia, a sophomore, made strides in the offseason and will be one of Purdy’s most improved players.
“He physically matured over the summer and showed he is capable of being someone this team can count on,” Stokes said. “He is aggressive and has a nose for the ball.”
Newcomers to watch include junior Eli Webb. Like Garcia, Webb comes off a productive summer.
“He is much stronger and that should help our team a lot,” Stokes said. “He has a really nice mid-range shot and has developed into a pretty good 3-point shooter.
“He could end up being our fifth starter if he brings the right attitude to practice each day.”
Purdy adds a transfer in senior guard Cash Keeling, who played at private school Berean Christian Academy in Monett the past two years.
The 6’2” guard should make a quick impact for his new team.
“He can get really hot from the 3-point line and should be one of our best athletes,” Stokes said.
The Eagles, two years removed from their first-ever state final four appearance, finished 15-13 last season.
Purdy won its third district title in five years by upsetting top seed Thomas Jefferson 47-45 in the Class 2 District 12 Tournament finals. Purdy then lost to Greenwood in the Class 2 sectional round.
The Eagles graduated center Scott Henry and forward Harley Stephens.
Henry, a 7-footer, brought a dominant presence around the basket. He set the school record for blocked shots and altered countless others.
Henry, a second team All-Southwest Central League selection, is continuing his career at Baptist Bible College in Springfield.
“We won’t be able to replace him; 7-footers don’t come around often,” Stokes said. “Scotty was a game-changer for us.”
Stephens started around half of Purdy’s 28 games. Stokes described him as the team’s “salt” player.
“Salt adds so much to a meal and that’s what Harley did for us,” Stokes said. “He just did the little things that made us more successful.”
Purdy did its best to stay active in the offseason.
In addition to COVID-19 limitations, the Eagles installed a new gym floor after the season.
“So our gym wasn’t available most of the summer,” Stokes said. “We tried to social distance and do more things outside, but when it comes to basketball and getting your team ready to play together, it was tough.
“We tried to find ways to treat everything like normal and still work. We made sure we took the proper precautions to keep everyone safe.”
Purdy also reduced its normal summer schedule from about 30 games down to 18.
The Eagles start the regular season at the Verona Tip-Off Classic, which runs November 21-25.
