A trio of upperclassmen return to lead Sarcoxie boys basketball
By Chris Parker
A trio of upperclassmen will lead Sarcoxie boys basketball in head coach Courtney Roth’s second season leading the program. The 2021-22 edition of the Bears finished 11-15 overall.
This year’s group will by led by Jaron Malotte (senior), Tyler Hirtz (senior) and Garrett Smith (junior).
“Jaron and Garrett were our most productive players last season. They both have grown athletically and emotionally and will be expected to lead our team and compete for post-season honors. Combined, their offensive skill set has improved and complement each other perfectly,” Roth said. “Tyler is a selfless teammate who competes with the utmost effort at all times. Tyler will be one of the best undersized post players in the area in regard to rebounding and shot blocking.”
Malotte averaged 8.9 points, 3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season.
Smith is the team’s leading returning scorer. He averaged 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a sophomore on his way to honorable mention all-conference honors. Smith was one of just two underclassmen to be named to the All-Southwest Conference team.
Hirtz was strong in the post last year with 6.3 rebounds and 2 blocks per game to go with 5.7 ppg.
Junior Matt Swayne will look at an expanded role this year after averaging 3.7 ppg last year.
“Matt will be our point guard most of the time and be looked upon to move the ball around with minimal turnovers,” Roth said. “Matt has the potential to be our most consistent 3-point threat. He plays with a high basketball IQ and is incredibly coachable.”
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Cleyton Jackson returns for his senior year after not playing the past two seasons.
“Cleyton has been away from basketball for two years and is making a return to the sport for his senior season,” Roth said. “Cleyton plays with an attacking mentality offensively and will add significant athleticism and toughness to our perimeter play.”
Dugan Pogue averaged 5.8 ppg as Sarcoxie’s sixth man last year, but his status is in doubt for this season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
“Dugan Pogue is recovering from an ACL tear that occurred at the end of last basketball season. Dugan’s top passion is baseball and he’s still deciding whether his knee is ready for basketball,” Roth said. “If he’s healthy and decides to play, Dugan brings a relentless spirit to our team that makes us instantly better.”
Sophomore Noah Garrison and junior Blake Heckmaster are two more players who will compete for varsity time this year.
“Noah Garrison did not play his freshman season and will compete for varsity minutes this season. Noah plays with an incredible amount of strength and speed,” Roth said. “Blake Heckmaster will compete for significant varsity minutes. Blake is a very athletic and streaky basketball player. At times, he can look like one of the better players on the court.”
Sarcoxie struggled to score at times last year, but big strides by Malotte, Smith and Swayne should help the Bears increase their scoring average.
“Jaron Malotte, Garrett Smith, and Matt Swayne have all made big steps on the offensive end. For us to compete against the best teams on our schedule, those three will be trusted to get buckets,” Roth said. “Defensively, our whole team has started to make an adjustment psychologically. During summer basketball I noticed significantly more confidence and communication over the same point last season.”
Overall, Sarcoxie will put an athletic group on the court each night.
“Strength, speed, and overall athleticism on the perimeter will be our biggest strength,” Roth said. “If we’re able to use that athleticism via more confidence and better basketball decision making then that will be what allows us to compete for tournament, conference, and district championships.”
Sarcoxie opens the season Nov. 28-Dec. 3 at the Gem City Classic in Diamond, as the Bears being their quest to get back above .500.
“I believe in these young men,” Roth said. “For a program to be built into a perennial contender there has to be that first group that believed and fought regardless of what the past said they should be. I’m challenging this group to be the foundation to something special.”
