By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Year One for Brock Blansit at Nixa couldn’t have gone much better.
The Eagles went 28-1, claiming the program’s 12th COC championship, before losing to rival Kickapoo in the district championship game. Nixa averaged 70.4 PPG, the program’s most since 2012-13 when they finished as state runner-up.
“We graduated some really good players, but I feel like we will surprise a lot of people,” said Blansit. “I’m excited about the season and look forward to seeing how this team plays together. This group will play an extremely fast paced style of basketball. We have a good mixture of size and athleticism.”
Seniors Josh Peters and Garrett Hines will lead this year’s group after starting and earning All-COC honors last season. Peters – a 6-foot-4 guard – averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game last year, while Hines – a 6-foot-5 wing – added 10 points and four rebounds per game.
Both were absolute snipers, shooting nearly 50-percent from three.
“They are two of the best shooters in the area,” said Blansit. “Both of them shot over 49-percent from three on high volume. They have gone from being strictly a shooter, when playing alongside Kael, to being the leaders on the team. The expectation has increased for both of them. They will need to rebound and handle the ball more this year.”
Also returning is classmate Devon Kemp. The 5-foot-9 guard will see action in the backcourt, while 6-foot-8 sophomore Jackson Cantwell – one of the nation’s top football and track prospects – will also see a significant increase in minutes and role.
“Devon will be one of our better ball handlers and shooters,” said Blansit. “He’s a well-rounded player. Jackson will be looked upon to defend and score this year. The future is bright for Jackson and I’m excited to see him improve every day.”
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Several juniors will also be in the mix for major playing time this year.
Bryce Foster, Kevion Flint and Wyatt Vincent will all see time in the backcourt, while Lane Meltabarger and Jaise Combs are big, athletic wings that can really score from anywhere on the court.
Blansit is also excited about the development of sophomore guard Randy Flint and Adam McKnight. Flint is a 6-foot guard whose athleticism can change a game on either end of the floor. McKnight – a 6-foot-4 wing – could see time on the interior while also having the ability to shoot the 3.
This is a new group, but Blansit is excited about what could be as this team gets acclimated to varsity basketball.
While they may be short on experience, they aren’t lacking talent and will again be another Nixa unit that expects to compete for conference and district championships.
“We will need to rebound the ball,” said Blansit. “It was something we struggled with last year and it ultimately got us beat. This team is very deep, we will play 11 kids, and everyone will need to accept their role. Our JV team was undefeated last year. With Peters, Hines, Kemp, we are capable of having a great season.”
Nixa will jamboree at Kickapoo with Bolivar also joining before opening the 2023-24 at the Willard Tournament starting on Nov. 29.
