By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ash Grove basketball enjoyed another successful campaign with a second-straight 20-win season last year.
The Pirates finished with a 20-7 record, falling to Weaubleau in the district championship.
Heading into his fifth season at the helm, head coach Grant Williamson believes last season’s journey will pay big dividends for his returning players.
“That team met expectations that we had for ourselves,” Williamson said. “Playing in those big games will help our guys take that experience with them this season to hopefully continue the success we’ve had.”
A trio of seniors return to lead Ash Grove this season in Brady Nicholson, Asher Rust and Bryce Davis.
The 6-foot-3 Nicholson, a 1,500-point career scorer, averaged 27 points and 6 rebounds last season and is on pace to break several school records this season, according to Williamson.
“Brady was our leading scorer last season and will be our rock again going into his senior year,” Williamson said. “He is a knock-down shooter, can get to the rim, and is known throughout the area for his mid-range jumper. Brady is the ultimate competitor, which sets the tone for the rest of our team.”
At 5-foot-10, Rust posted 8.7 points per contest as a junior.
“Asher was our second leading scorer last season,” Williamson said. “He is a very good perimeter shooter and an elite on ball defender. We will look for him to increase his playmaking ability for himself and others this season.”
The 6-foot-2 Davis rounds out the Pirates’ returning core.
“Bryce played spot varsity minutes last season and really showed great improvement,” Williamson said. “He has developed into a great rebounder and has the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability. Bryce will be a big piece for our team this season and has the potential to back it up.”
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Williamson also expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time, including 5-foot-11 sophomore Kyler Reece, 6-foot junior Dylan Gray, 5-foot-10 sophomore Harison Thompson, 5-foot-10 senior Cooper Burks and 6-foot-1 junior Colin Denney.
“In the last two seasons, we have been able to compete for championships and have established a culture within our program that expects to have the opportunity to continue to compete for them,” Williamson said. “This group will have to continue to buy into the daily grind to be the best that they can be. If they do that, then the opportunities to compete every single night will be there.”
While Williamson believes his team’s tough defensive mindset and efficiency within the motion offense will determine its overall success, Ash Grove’s sheer force of will is definitely something not to be overlooked by opponents, either.
“This team’s biggest strength right now is their collective desire to be the best team that they can be,” Williamson said. “Each guy genuinely wants the team to be successful and will do what it takes to reach that. As our guys gain experience playing together and learn how to use each other’s unique strengths to obtain team success we hope to be a tough out for teams come postseason play.”
Ash Grove tips off its regular season Nov. 21 at home against Crane.
