By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Matt Powell is cycling through his first complete graduation class at Lamar, returning four starters from last year’s 14-13 edition that was just one shot away from winning a second district championship in three years.
“Last year was a bit of a rollercoaster,” said Powell. “We only had one senior, we had our usual late start with our football success and being quarantined at one point made trying to get where we needed to be on the court difficult. With all that we were still able to get a couple shots off on the last possession to win a district against a great team. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t go in. That game hurt but our guys really saw the potential that we have this year. They had a good summer and when they get back from football they will be ready to go.”
Leading the way for Lamar is a trio of seniors in 6-foot-3 forward Mason Gastel (12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds), 5-foot-10 guard Conner Shoff (10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds) and 5-foot-11 guard Riley Heckadon (7.2 points, three assists). Junior guard Joel Beshore averaged 8.7 points last year and will also return to the starting five.
Gastel was an All-District and All-Big 8 selection as a junior. While he’s one of the state’s top receivers on the football field, he is a two-way difference maker for the Tigers on the hardwood and one of the league’s most experienced players.
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“Mason can do a little of everything but will be asked to do more around the basket this year; both scoring and rebounding,” said Powell. “We have a bunch of guards that are capable of giving him a bit of rest so he doesn’t have to handle the ball as much as he has in the past and can use his frame around the basket.”
Shoff is one of the area’s top 3-point shooters and will again be counted on to stretch the floor.
Senior Gunnar Dillon returns after averaging 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks last year. Trace Willhite and Austin Wilkerson will both add physicality and athleticism, especially on the defensive end, for the Tigers. Senior Ethan Reed will look to expand his role and someone Powell noted as a gym rat.
Ian Ngugi and Jaxon Hearod will look to provide backcourt depth, while Ty Willhite and Jase Dillon will add some more depth and athleticism.
Lamar lost four games by a single possession over the final month of the season. Now, with nearly everyone returning to the mix, Powell is hopeful that experience can help lead to better preparation throughout the season.
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“We have to come in every day and work on the fundamentals,” said Powell. “We don’t practice long so our attention to those details will be a big factor, especially early. I think our group this year knows what it will take to give ourselves a chance to reach both of those goals.”
The Tigers will join Neosho and McDonald County for Joplin’s jamboree on Nov. 18 before opening the 2021-22 season on Dec. 7 by hosting Webb City.
