By Chris Parker
Fordland boys basketball will be led by a trio of seniors this year, as the Eagles look to get back improve upon last year’s seven-win campaign.
Guards Kadin Kindall and Jack Coursey along with forward Buddy Penberthy will be those senior leaders.
“They need to improve their leadership skills if we are to accomplish our goals this season,” Fordland head coach Brett Rippee said. “I know they are capable of pulling our team together. They will have to lead in a positive way and by their work ethic in practice.”
Kindall earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year after he led the Eagles in scoring with 13.1 points per game. He also contributed 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
“We will count on him (Kindall) to score of course, but it is crucial that he rounds his game off and is good at everything,” Rippee said. “As one of our stronger players, he must rebound from the guard position. He had a really good offseason, so I am excited to see what he can do with a year of experience.”
Coursey brings back averages of 5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
“Jack Coursey is our best perimeter defender and plays as hard as anyone on our team,” Rippee said. “He is extremely fast and has improved his ball handling. We are hoping Jack takes a step forward in shooting the ball and can become an elite defender. He will have to move on from mistakes more quickly and play under control. He could have a big year for us.”
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Penberthy was just behind Coursey with 5.1 points per game last year to go with his 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
“Buddy Penberthy is a versatile player that can play multiple positions,” Rippee said. “He plays hard and does some dirty work for us that he doesn’t get enough credit for. He can score at times, but he has to rebound for us this year more effectively. He has to work on his decision making and finishing around the rim, if he does that he could be one of our leading scorers.”
Junior guard Logan Swanson rounds out the returning varsity players. He averaged 5.8 points per game last year.
“Logan Swanson might be our most improved player in many areas,” Rippee said. “He could be our best shooter this season, but will have to put in more time to do so. He has deceptively quick handles and a first step. He has improved his rim attack and if we can get him to the free throw line more, it will help us tremendously. If he can shoot the way I know he can and improve his help side defense, he could have a big season for us.”
Hunter Glenn returns for his senior season after sitting out last year. He brings energy and athleticism. Issac Vickers is a sophomore guard who transferred from Truman High School in Independence. Junior Logan Owens will transition to a full-time varsity role this year. Thomas Nash is an athletic sophomore post that will be strong defensively. Carson Koster is a junior forward that shoots well and will look for varsity minutes. Bryce Fries had a great sophomore season on junior varsity. He is a strong rebounder from the guard position. Khristian Sommerfield is a streaky shooter who is a great zone defender. Fellow junior Drew Jones also is a great zone defender who will push for varsity minutes.
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“We will be very fast and athletic. We will be capable of pressuring teams and able to play a variety of defenses for 32 minutes if we can play smart,” Rippee said. “We will have to leave our egos at the door and come together as a team on both sides of the ball. I feel that ‘we’ before ‘me’ is the key for this team. We have to score more points and improve our patience and shot selection. Transition scoring has to improve. Rebounding and our desire to rebound will be the difference maker in our season, especially if we don’t shoot it as well as we expect.”
Fordland will open the season Nov. 20-24 at the Verona Tournament. The Eagles will host School of the Ozarks on Nov. 30 for the home opener.
“I’m optimistic that we can have a great season and be a winning basketball team, but I’ve done this long enough now to know that we have to catch a few breaks and have some kids play very well for that to happen,” Rippee said. “We are capable of beating teams that are better than us on a given night, but we can lose to a team that we are better than on the flip side. I think our kids are genuinely excited and are willing to work hard, just need more buy in. It could be an exciting and interesting season in Fordland.”
