By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the first time since John Schaefer’s first season at Logan-Rogersville, the Wildcats aren’t coming off of a district championship run.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is the Cats return four starters from last year’s team and welcome several talented newcomers. They also learned how to compete in close games after losing five games by seven points or less.
“We had an inexperienced group last year that really matured as the year went,” said Schaefer. “We suffered some close losses due to growing pains, injuries and maturity. Experience is one of the most important things in building a winning program and teaching the players the importance of being unselfish.”
Leading this year’ group is 6-foot-8 senior Keegan Daniels, who is a skilled post that can also step out and shoot the 3.
Junior guards Thessen Prenger and Ross Lawrence are also back. Prenger is a point guard while Lawrence is a three-level scorer.
Rogersville will also return 6-foot-5 senior Curry Sutherland. Also a baseball standout, Sutherland missed the entire 2021-22 season due to having Tommy John surgery. He started as a sophomore on Rogersville’s district championship team.
Seniors Torin Trent and Hayden Searcy will see larger roles this winter. Trent is a defensive specialist and Searcy and a shooter.
Juniors Scott Metz and Bryce Marshall will also see larger roles. Metz is a 6-foot-7 big that had a great summer. Marshall is a combo guard that can facilitate and shoot it.
The Cats will also receive a boost from Brody McNiel. The 6-foot-3 senior and Missouri State baseball commit was a multisport standout at Hartville. He’s a 6-foot-3 shooter.
This group is eager to start a new district championship streak and they’re talented enough to make it happen.
“Our numbers are really good this year with quality players/kids,” said Schaefer. “Therefore roles get accepted a lot easier as well as our effort and attitude. I think this team will have as good an opportunity to win both a conference and district title as some of our best teams from the past.”
Rogersville will jamboree at Glendale with Nixa and Republic before opening the 2022-23 season at the Eagle Invitational on Nov. 28.
