By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Kickapoo has been on a run that is one of the best in the program’s storied history with the Chiefs stringing together 20 or more wins in 12 of the last 13 seasons, with eight district championships and a state title in 2021.
Mitch McHenry has been at the helm for the last seven seasons and now must replace a senior class that won nearly 100 games and went to multiple Final Fours.
“Our group of seniors were special,” said McHenry. “They were gym rats. They spent countless hours on their game. They were tough, disciplined, and competitive. Those qualities are hard to teach and what made them excel. They will be missed, but I am excited to see how they influenced our returners. Our guys this year saw the blueprint of what it meant to be a Kickapoo Basketball player.”
While Kickapoo returns just one starter, there is plenty for McHenry to be excited about when looking at the roster, starting with 6-foot-7 junior Jackson Shorter.
The team’s lone returning starter averaged 6.6 points and 3.5 rebounds as a sophomore, emerging as one of the top players in the Class of 2025 in the state, with several Division One programs taking notice.
“Jackson has really worked to improve his overall game this off-season; it reminds me of what his brother did from his sophomore to junior season,” said McHenry. “He has improved his perimeter scoring, as well as his ability to score back to the basket. He will be asked to be more well-rounded and a playmaker for us offensively to use the attention he will receive to open up opportunities for his teammates.”
Kickapoo also has plenty of seniors that have waited their turn to leave their impact on the program.
A trio of senior guards – Shaun Campbell, Mason Robb and Drew Akins – are all back after playing heavy minutes off the bench last year, with all bringing a different skillset to the backcourt.
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“Shaun provides our group athleticism and is an elite defender,” said McHenry. “He does a great job offensively getting to his scoring spots. Mason will provide our team shooting depth and he is also a good defender and plays with a high motor. He is a very competitive player with a high IQ. Drew is a very competitive guard that is a natural leader and point guard.”
McHenry is also extremely excited about a trio of seniors that saw limited action last year but have very high ceilings in Hogan Smith, Jake Sage and Trenton Harris.
Smith is a 6-foot-3 sniper that has committed to Drury. His high school career has been slowed by injuries but he’s a big-time talent with a next-level IQ. Sage is a 6-foot-1 guard that McHenry feels has improved immensely over the last year and Trenton Harris is a 6-foot-5 wing that gives Kickapoo some size and athleticism. McHenry believes his ceiling is extremely high.
Sophomore Reese Kimrey is also back in the mix after playing significant minutes as a freshman.
He’s one of the top sophomores in the Ozarks.
“Reese came off the bench last year as a freshman but will be one of our primary ball handlers,” said McHenry. “He plays with great vision and maturity as an underclassman.”
Several other underclassmen are in the mix for playing time as well.
Juniors Levi Phillips and AJ McDowell, as well as sophomores Brock Thompson, Vincent Mhire, Brayden Rubidoux and Elijah Nabors, are all fighting for a spot in the rotation.
This group may lack some experience, but they’re not short on talent and they’ve played against elite competition every day in practice for the last several years.
It may take some time to all come together, but the expectations at Kickapoo are still high.
“We will be undersized, so our group will need to be tough and limit mistakes,” said McHenry. “We feel they are very competitive and will take big leaps throughout the season as they are all stepping into a different role than what was asked of them last season.”
Kickapoo will host Bolivar and Nixa in a jamboree on Nov. 15 before visiting Poplar Bluff on Nov. 18 to open the 2023-24 season.
