By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Hartville enjoyed another magical postseason run last season, reaching the Class 2 final four for the third time in the past four years.
While the 25-7 Eagles fell to Plattsburg in the third-place game, four starters from that team have returned.
Needless to say, expectations are once again high this season for head coach Brett Reed and company.
“We return a lot from last season’s final four team,” Reed said. “The expectations are high for this year’s team.”
The Eagles will be led by Jaylon Cryer, a 6-foot-2 senior who averaged 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season.
“Jaylon Cryer – all-state, all-district and all-conference player from a year ago and leading scorer,” Reed said. “Great playmaker.”
Cryer will be joined by a pair of classmates in 5-foot-9 Logan Simpson (6.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.2 spg) and 6-foot-5 Grant Culver (10.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.4 apg).
“Logan Simpson – all-conference player from a year ago,” Reed said. “Our point guard and floor general makes players around him better. “Grant Culver – all-district and all-conference player from a year ago can score at all three levels. Brings size and athleticism to our team. Great interior defender with his length.”
6-foot-1 junior Payton Cogdill (6.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.7 apg) and 6-foot-1 classmate Jackson Ward (5.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg) also return for the Eagles.
“Payton Cogdill is our workhorse and top-level defender,” Reed said. “Jackson Ward – workhorse and great rebounder. Makes players around him better. Great communicator on the defensive end.”
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6-foot-1 sophomore Mason Cogdill, 6-foot-1 sophomore Boone Garrison and 6-foot-4 junior Lane Hughes round out the Hartville returnees.
Reed also expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season in Jordan O’Quinn, Truett Coryell, Gus Sinning, Owen Hughes, Brock Jones and Wyatt Francis.
Deep, experienced and talented, Reed believes Hartville has the pieces in place to once again compete for a postseason run.
“We are hoping to defend and rebound at a high level each night,” Reed said. “We hope we can be playing our best basketball come playoff time.”
Reed also believes Hartville’s challenging schedule will pay big dividends this season in preparing the Eagles for difficult games in the back portion of the schedule and beyond.
“All Summit Conference games are rivalries as our conference has been as strong as any in small school basketball for years,” Reed said. “We play some bigger schools on our schedule that help prepare us for the playoffs as well as some tournaments, such as the Blue and Gold.”
Hartville tips off its regular season Nov. 27 in the Clever Invitational Tournament.
