A large senior class will lead Camdenton boys basketball under new head coach Daniel Eidson
By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Camdenton is under new leadership with Daniel Eidson taking over after being an assistant for the last six years.
While he’s sliding over one chair and is familiar with every player in the program, there will be some changes as Eidson puts his own touch on Camdenton Basketball.
“The most important thing to establish is trust,” said Eidson. “Beyond just the athletes, I am working to show the community, staff, and parents that I want there to be a culture of success beyond just the hardwood. Once trust is established, we can focus on the game.”
The Lakers do return several players from last year with what will be a senior-heavy lineup, with three starters returning.
Aaron Poage is back after developing into one of the Ozark Conference’s top players as a junior. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 14 points and five rebounds per game.
“Aaron is a competitor,” said Eidson. “This being his senior year, he has taken leadership very seriously, he continues to grow as a role model for our program, and he never misses a chance to get better. Aaron has worked tirelessly at getting stronger. He already has a nice set of guard-like skills, but we are working on him being able to be more holistic and not just one dimensional either inside, or with the ball.”
Senior Cooper Barrett also returns after averaging eight points, four rebounds and two assists. He started 25 games.
Classmates Tommy McElyea, Jonah Rapp and Caden Kowal are also back in the mix.
“This year we will have many key contributors that will play a major impact in our structuring of a respectable program,” said Eidson. “Tommy, Jonah, and Caden have played an intricate part of buying into the change and getting guys around them in the gym and wanting to work harder. This alone is the foundation of our success.”
Eidson – whose coaching philosophy will hinge on movement and turning stops into transition offense – having depth will be imperative. And Camdenton has several players that didn’t see time or play at all last year that will play major roles this winter.
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Several of those players are standout athletes in other sports.
“We will be a very senior heavy team,” said Eidson. “As far as “newcomers” that didn’t start last year, Jackson Basham will be a deep threat that will play a major role in our success. I am beyond pumped to have Bear Shore, Kam Durnin, Javari Stewart, Ethan Evans and Oscar Robbins back from not playing last year! We were blessed with two move-ins in Toby Dudley and Brody Ingold. These two bring a relentless energy complimented with a desire to compete, and all of these guys are elite athletes that will play a very large role in our success as well.”
Camdenton Basketball has had just one winning season in the last seven years. That 2019 run ended with 16 wins and a district championship.
The Lakers have proven in other sports that they have the athleticism and skill to compete for championships. Now it is Eidson’s job to help right the ship and put the program back on the map.
“I believe we are trending in the right direction,” said Eidson. “Having a large senior class is helping as well. Guys that have not played in the past are coming back out and there is, without a doubt, a buzz around basketball at this time. Our JV and C teams have had great success the last couple of years.
“We have to believe it is possible. There has been a long drought of lack of confidence. We play in a very well respected conference. We must compete week in and week out. The trust that I mentioned before is the foundation, then we will work on individual successes evolving into program success. Once the community sees that our guys are serious about competing, we can fill the stands and make basketball relevant in Camden County.”
Camdenton will host Osage and Macks Creek for a jamboree on Nov. 15 before opening the 2022-23 season at the inaugural Vienna Shootout on Nov. 19.
