By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
One of the area’s most accomplished basketball programs begins the season in unfamiliar territory.
This winter marks the first time since 2012 that Hartville’s boys will not open the year as reigning district champions, as their nine-year run of titles ended with a loss to Thayer in last year’s championship game.
The Eagles also won three state titles during that stretch, including back-to-back victories in 2020 and 2021. But every key contributor from those teams graduated before the start of last season, and the Eagles began the campaign with virtually no players who had any tangible amount of varsity experience.
They finished 19-8, a far cry from the combined 61-2 mark they posted during their state title runs.
But given the significant roster turnover, there’s something to be said about the Eagles advancing to another district title game – where they ran into a Bobcats team that went on to finish third in the state.
“I believe our team last season exceeded the expectations of many,” Hartville coach Brett Reed said. “We were the very best version of ourselves that we could be come playoff time and had won some very big games going into the district tournament. Thayer, outside of probably Nixa and Kickapoo, was the best team we had played all season. Very well coached, and a group of seniors who knew how to play the game at a high level on both ends of the floor. I am proud of our boys and team from last season, but the expectation around here is to win a district title and compete for a state title each year. We fell short of that goal and are hungry to achieve it this season.”
Experience won’t be an issue for the Eagles this season, as the team returns six players who saw significant varsity minutes last winter. That includes juniors Grant Culver and Logan Simpson, who both earned postseason honors last winter.
That will help Hartville absorb the departures of Eric Wilson and Jacob Ballard, who both graduated, and Brody McNiel, who transferred to Logan-Rogersville. All three were postseason honorees.
“We have guys who have been in the battles and know what it takes to win big games,” Reed said. “We have a very versatile group who can shoot it, pass it, and defend and rebound. Our defense and rebounding will be the focus going into the season. We lost our two best defenders and filling that void will be pivotal to our success. Simply put, we need to get better on the defensive side of the ball to reach our goals. We will work on it daily.”
Culver, an all-district selection last year, is Hartville’s top returning scorer (9.8 points per game) and rebounder (4.7). He’s expected to lead the Eagles in several statistical categories this year.
“We want to build off of last year’s success,” Culver said. “With what we have returning, we believe we can make some noise in the playoffs.”
Simpson will also look to build on an all-conference season that saw the guard average 7.1 points and 3.2 assists per game.
“We will count on Logan to facilitate our offense and be a fierce defender on the ball,” Reed said.
Sophomore Jackson Ward appeared in all 27 of Hartville’s games as a freshman, starting several.
“We will count on Jackson to be a top-level defender and rebounder this season,” Reed said.
Senior Haylon Bel, junior Jalon Cryer and sophomore Payton Cogdill will also take on expanded roles this year, assuming some of the responsibilities previously held by Wilson and Ballard.
“After a year of varsity experience under their belt, I think our guys will feel much more comfortable playing in our system this year,” Reed said. “The senior leadership of those two seniors will be missed, but we have guys who I believe can fill that void this season. I think we can be much better earlier this season than we were a year ago.”
Dakota Stigall could help in the senior leadership department, as the speedy and athletic guard is returning after sitting out last year. Freshman Mason Cogdill and sophomore Lane Hughes will also compete for minutes.
“I am excited to see just how hungry our guys are to be better than we were last season,” Reed said. “I am excited to see their approach going into practice, their ability to overcome adversity and do the little things it takes to win at a high level. I know we are capable of these things, but we have a lot to prove.”
The Eagles open the season on November 25, when they face Neelyville at the Current River Challenge in Van Buren.
Their Summit Conference opener is December 9 at Fordland, while their first home game Is scheduled for December 16 against Strafford.
“Every game on our schedule is a big game for us,” Reed said. “The Summit Conference should be solid again this year and to have a chance to win the conference we will need to be ready to go each night.”
Hartville is also slated to compete in the Clever Invitational Tournament (which begins November 28), Blue and Gold Tournament (December 26) and a tournament in Mountain Grove (January 23).
“Will we have guys who can step into the roles of our seniors and be great leaders?” Reed said. “Will we have guys who can defend and rebound at a high level? Will our guys be able to produce what our two seniors gave us offensively last year? All questions that will need to be answered. However, after our play this summer, I have high expectations that our guys can achieve these goals.”
