By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jordan Fielding is entering his third season as the head coach at Hillcrest. And, after doubling the program’s win total from year one to year two, the Hornets return four starters that’ll look to take the next step in the Ozark Conference and Class 5.
Seniors Devin Oliver and DeeVon Braxton will lead the group as two of the most experienced players in the conference.
Oliver – an All-Ozark Conference selection – averaged nine points and four rebounds last year, while Braxton – an All-Ozark Conference Defensive Team member – added seven points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Both are two of the best defenders in the league, but have also seen their offensive responsibilities expand throughout their careers.
“Devin has been a starter for the last two years and I think he has a chance to really make a name for himself this year,” said Fielding. “Last year was a transition year for him because we relied more on his offensive abilities then we did the previous year. This year his role gets even bigger. He is a strong guard who has great body control in traffic and has no problem finishing at the rim. He is a consistent 3-point shooter and someone who we will look to get a lot of opportunities for this year on the offensive end. Devin is also one of our best defenders so we will ask a lot of him this year, but he is fully capable of handling it.
“DeeVon is really important to the success of our team. He is strong around the rim, a good finisher and a lockdown defender on positions 1-5. He has the quickest second and third jumps I have ever seen. He does so many things for our team that don’t always show up in the stat sheet. DeeVon’s role this year will be huge for us. His impact on the outcomes of our games is obvious. When he plays well and stays out of foul trouble we can win a lot of games.”
One player many are expecting to have a breakout season is 6-foot-6 junior Cole Griesemer. One of the top 2023 prospects in the Ozarks, Griesemer averaged nine points and six rebounds as a sophomore.
His offensive versatility makes him a nightmare to matchup with.
“Cole has started every game since he was a freshman,” said Fielding. “Each year he has gotten better and better and we expect the same this year. Cole is a long, athletic forward who can play a variety of positions. He is a great passer whose court vision is unbelievable. He is an improving 3 point shooter and a great finisher around the rim. He does a great job of controlling his body to keep defenders from stopping him in the paint. We will look for him to do a lot of different things for us this year. He has an opportunity to really show a lot of people this year how good he can be.”
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Fellow junior Cooper Huett is the fourth returning starter from last year. He’s yet another player that is entering his third year of varsity action and his ability to stretch the floor is a game changer for the Hornets.
Seniors Mike Floyd and Lamarkus Miller, as well as junior Anthony Keltner, are also returning after seeing varsity minutes last year.
Floyd has been the sixth man for each of the last two years and offers defensive versatility. Miller is the team’s emotional leader, and Keltner is yet another guy capable of making shots from the perimeter.
“Mike is a force for us on the offensive and defensive end. He’s also an amazing teammate who is a great player and person. Mike can rebound, finish, and is an underrated 3 point shooter. His toughness and energy set the tone for our team during practice and games. Lamarkus is a great leader for us. He is constantly growing as a player and it shows every day. He is a capable shooter with great court vision who plays super hard all the time. His toughness and grit are important to our team and setting the tone in practice and in games.
“Anthony started a few games for us last year and his role on our team changed a lot. He is a great shooter who is capable of making five or six threes in a game if he gets hot. He is a tough kid who has no problem getting to the rim and finishing through contact. We will look for his role to continue to increase as the year goes on.”
Senior Marquis Richardson, junior Braxton Baker and sophomores Akarius Staten-Balance and Malachi Shull, as well as freshman Taner Hicks, should all see varsity action as well.
Hillcrest is nearly a decade removed from the days of four consecutive district championships and multiple Final Four runs but under Fielding that winning culture has been reestablished.
With so many close losses and learning experiences last year, this group is eager to turn those shortcomings into wins.
“We are constantly growing as a team and learning what it takes to win,” said Fielding. “It has definitely been a process. I always tell our guys that winning isn’t just an outcome, it’s a mentality. We have to want to be winners. Over the last few years we have really tried to change the mindset of our program. Each game we enter we expect to win. Doesn’t matter who we are playing. We expect to win, we expect to execute, and we expect to compete. Now that isn’t always the outcome, but nonetheless that is our attitude going into every game.
“If we don’t expect to be in a position to win our conference or district it won’t happen. We have to guard consistently, execute our game plans, and make shots if we want to win our conference/district. Over the last few years we have tried to build a culture of success and I think that our program is ready to try and take that success to the next level. Our guys have been working and are ready to try and bring a conference and district championship back to The Hill.”
Hillcrest will host Ozark and Mansfield for a jamboree on Nov. 16 before opening the 2021-22 regular season on Nov. 29 at the 87th Clever Invitational.
