By Chris Parker
Mansfield boys basketball is heading in the right direction entering coach Cody Shelton’s fourth year. The Lions went 4-20 three years ago, 11-16 two years ago and 16-11 last year.
That momentum should continue this year with an experienced core returning.
At the head of that core is senior Tom Emerick. He earned first-team all-conference honors last year averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 40% from three and 57% from two.
“Tom is an All-State caliber player. He is very athletic and can finish strong at the rim. He rebounds at a high rate and is all in on winning this season,” Shelton said. “I think we will see him take that step into becoming an All-State player, and lead by example in practice and games. Tom has already surpassed 1,000 points and enters his senior year with a chance to finish as the all-time leader in scoring (at Mansfield).”
He has taken another step forward entering his senior year.
“Tom Emerick has also moved himself into the conversation of one of the better area players,” Shelton said. “He has had some very dominant stretches this summer versus some of our bigger school challenges.”
Emerick along with classmates Chase Cartwright, London Dennis, Chase Kelley, Stone Sawyers and Jaden Flake will be the team’s leaders.
Cartwright was Mansfield’s other first-team all-conference selection last season. He averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
“Chase Cartwright is our point guard and is playing out of position,” Shelton said. “He accepted this role when our point guard went down last year to help our team win. He is a player that is driven to win. I look for him to become one of the better players in the area this season.”
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With more experience has come better decision making for Cartwright.
“Chase Cartwright took a step forward in decision making in critical moments,” Shelton said. “He is more athletic and shooting the ball well.”
Dennis brings knockdown shooting to the floor averaging 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.2 steals per game last year.
“London Dennis is a senior forward that we consider one of the best shooters in the area,” Shelton said. “He is a great post defender and rebounds the ball well.”
Kelley averaged 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game in an injury-shortened junior season.
“Chase Kelley is a senior guard that is very athletic. He is coming off an injury plagued season and summer,” Shelton said. “Chase started part of last season only to break his back over Christmas and returning late in the season.”
Sawyers is a forward with a great motor. Flake is a guard who scores the ball well.
Junior Landen Campbell will have a major impact coming off a sophomore season where he averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 steal per game.
“Landen has a chance to rival players like our own Tom Emerick with his impact on the floor,” Shelton said. “He can shoot it very well and is one of our best defensive players. He is a very smart player that we will look to also be a leader. Landen is athletic, rebounds well, and can make a play with the ball in his hands.”
His work in the off-season has set him up for a big junior year.
“Landen Campbell has been making big strides this summer,” Shelton said. “He is stronger and looking to attack more. He is being more assertive and we expect more of that this season.”
Carter Garrison (junior guard), Kaden Coble (junior point guard), Brock Gray (junior guard) and Blake Henry (sophomore guard) will all be new varsity players making an impact.
Garrison is a strong shooter with a high basketball IQ. Coble will look to earn minutes at the point with his shooting and playmaking ability. Gray brings strong shooting and a great feel for the game. Henry has a high motor and is a force on the defensive end. He will be expected to defend opposing point guards when he plays.
Shelton expects his team to lean on team rebounding and defense along with versatility throughout the lineup to find success this year. The Lions will focus on cutting down on turnovers and hitting free throws at a higher rate.
Mansfield will open the season Dec. 5-10 at its home tournament.
