By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Shaun Gray has officially resurrected Nevada Basketball.
Entering his eighth season, the Tigers have had more 20-win seasons (4) than they had winning seasons (1) in the five years that preceded him.
And, coming off of the program’s first district championship in more than a decade, the foundation in Nevada is firmly set.
“Last year was super special,” said Gray. “We have been so close for a lot of years, and it just wasn’t in the cards. The win wasn’t just special for last year’s team but for all of the teams and special players over the last seven years that have come so close. The run we went on in the second half of the season won’t soon be forgotten around here.”
Things will look a little different as Nevada loses a senior class that was responsible for 62 wins over the last three years. It’ll be a talented crop of newcomers that’ll try to help the program build on its recent successes.
Senior Evan Rea (5-11) and junior Case Sandrson (6-3) will look to lead the charge after starting last season.
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Both saw significant playing time last season and will see vastly expanded roles this winter.
“Evan has played in a ton of big games and has put in a lot of work over the last four years to improve his game,” said Gray. “He is ready to step up and be a guy who has the ball in his hands a lot. He is ready to transition from a role player into a leader both on and off the court.
“Case had a leg injury last year that kept him out of the first half of the season last year. We got a lot better when he came back. He brings a versatile athleticism that can play around the basket as well as step out and play on the perimeter. He can guard multiple positions and as a lefty he is very crafty at scoring the ball.”
There is a ton of competition as the rest of the roster is full of potential.
Seniors Jeremiah Collins and Owen Swearingen will both add length, with Collins being a rim protector and Swearingen adding perimeter shooting.
Juniors Cade Beshore and Dew Beachler will both be an asset as well, with Beshore seeing minutes in the backcourt and Beachler giving Nevada some size.
“Cade will take over point guard duties. He is a bulldog type player who plays with tremendous intensity on both sides of the ball,” Gray said. “Drew is a plus shooter with a soft touch and a long rangy athlete who can rebound and score the ball well at the rim. He will be asked to play a big role on both ends of the floor.”
A large group of sophomores could also see significant varsity minutes.
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Brice Budd is a 5-foot-10 guard that has 3 and D potential. Ude Mba (6-1) is one of the program’s top athletes and hardest workers.
Tucker Duncan, Riddick Shook and Drake Ketterman are three sophomore guards that all have the ability to stretch the floor.
Maybe the biggest hurdle for Nevada this season will be the identification of roles as the Tigers rebuild. While the process is never easy, Gray is hopeful his inexperienced group can begin to peak as district play approaches.
There will definitely be a learning curve early on. Over the summer we took some lumps early, but we showed a lot of growth throughout the month of June and felt like we took some definite strides forward. Our guys all seem to have a good relationship with each other, that bond and chemistry will be an asset and should help us get to where we want to be in the second half of the year.
Nevada will start the season with a jamboree on Nov. 16 at Cassville before opening the regular season schedule on Nov. 30 at Pleasant Hill.
