By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For a program that prides itself on defensive play, last season’s Logan-Rogersville boys basketball team was exceptionally effective at holding opponents off the scoreboard.
The Wildcats surrendered an average of just 42.5 points per game — their lowest such total in at least 15 seasons — en route to a 26-4 finish and their fifth district championship in six years.
This year’s group will look markedly different — three of last year’s starters graduated, while another is set to miss the year due to a knee injury — but the Wildcats are once again expected to make things difficult for teams on their schedule.
“We always hang our hat on our defense,” Wildcats coach John Schaefer said. “The system we run allows us to plug players in the spots and continue to be effective. Losing some of the size we had last year will obviously change our scheme, however, we will have some really good athleticism and quickness in our guards as well as some size in the post.”
That combination will make the Wildcats a formidable foe at both ends of the court.
“This team has a lot of ways to be dangerous,” Schaefer said. “They are one of the better 3-point shooting groups that I have coached. They also have lots of depth and guards. They will be versatile in their style of play, being able to push the tempo as well as being able to control it. They have had a great summer and they are continuing to improve in the preseason.”
The Wildcats bid farewell to five players in the Class of 2023 — Curry Sutherland, Brody McNiel, Keegun Daniels, Hayden Sircy and Torin Trent. Sutherland, McNiel and Daniels all earned spots on postseason all-star teams, with Sutherland collecting all-state honors.
That was already a significant loss — and then all-conference and all-district point guard Thessen Prenger tore his ACL in Week 2 of Logan-Rogersville’s football season. Schaefer said the senior will be out for the year.
Those six players represented about 75 percent of Logan-Rogersville’s scoring last season, but Schaefer said the group of healthy Wildcats are ready to leave their mark on the program.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
“This is a group of guys that have been waiting for their turn to carry the torch,” Schaefer said. “We will be veteran and guard-heavy, still having some size in the post area to play inside out. This group has a great ability to score the ball and cause lots of transition problems for opponents. I believe once guys settle into their roles and learn our system, they can be as good as any of our LR teams in the recent past years. Once they learn how to grind as a team and mesh offensively they will be able to compete for a conference and district title.”
The team’s top returning scorer is senior Ross Lawrence, a Missouri State baseball commit. He averaged 10 points per game during his junior season, collecting all-conference honors.
Classmates Stewart McDonald and Scott Metz also return after playing major roles on the varsity squad last year. Schaefer called McDonald the team’s “best all-around defender” and “our spark plug,” while noting the 6-foot-6 Metz has “greatly improved” from his junior season.
“He will be a load in the post,” Schaefer added.
Cam Wray, Ryder Randles and Clayton McClelland round out Logan-Rogersville’s seven-player senior class — which will be the motor that drives the team all year long.
“I have very high expectations for this season,” Lawrence said. “I know we have a couple of guys that are returning varsity players. Some with a lot of varsity experience and some with none. I think that it will be a very good year if we can all get in tune with each other, meaning on the court and off the court. I know that the seniors and I are going to have a very important role on this team and depending on how we take on the role of leaders will depend on how well our season goes. Overall, we should have a solid season.”
The Wildcats will also look for contributions from returning juniors Dane Smith, Jase Pettifurd and Linkin Ratliff. Fellow junior Jeffrey Ipock is also healthy after missing the majority of last season with a wrist injury, while classmates Kaden Coon and Ben Roche will join the varsity.
Sophomores Sutton Shook, Beau Watts and Marcus Moore and freshman Chase Branham will also look to make an impact this winter.
“Our physicality and toughness could be an issue early with the transition into big varsity minutes by guys who have yet to have those experiences,” Schaefer said. “With the schedule that we play, it shouldn’t take long to adjust.”
The Wildcats will travel to Republic for a November 16 jamboree against the Tigers and Glendale. Their regular-season opener will come during the Eagle Invitational, which begins November 27 in Lee’s Summit.
Logan-Rogersville’s first game against a Big 8 opponent is set for January 5 against rival Marshfield. Both teams are among those joining the new Ozark Mountain Conference at the start of the 2024-25 school year.
“The new conference is exciting, however my only concern is LR being the smallest school in it and the growth of the conference over the upcoming years,” Schaefer said. “That could hurt some of our other sports, but I know LR will remain competitive throughout the years. These schools will provide great facilities and environments as well as pride in their programs. There are a lot of good quality coaches in our new conference that will always have their kids ready to play, which will make the conference solid and competitive.”
No matter which conference the Wildcats compete in, their goals will not change.
“Our yearly expectation and goal for the season is to win the conference and districts,” Schaefer said. “We would love to go out winning the Big 8.”
