By Chris Parker
Fordland boys basketball is looking to make strides in the second season under head coach John Vickers.
“We are looking forward to being in our second year together and establishing a new basketball culture at Fordland,” Vickers said. “We want players to buy-in to hard work and maximize potential in becoming the best basketball players and people they can be. Our team wants to get after it defensively and create offense from our defense by getting out and running and finding open looks in the full court and half court. I think we will be better in our second year together. Players were engaged and worked hard in the off-season. There are so many good programs/teams in the Ozarks. We know we will be faced against tough opponents every night we play. Our conference is incredibly tough – there are so many good programs. Hartville, Mansfield, Norwood, Seymour and Sparta will all be very talented. Gainesville and Conway have the ability to play with anyone. I have so much respect for all the great coaches in the Summit Conference.”
Three seniors and a sophomore return from last season’s team that won six games including Trey Bellue (senior guard), Caleb Utchman (senior guard),Isaac Vickers (senior guard) and Matt Hart (sophomore guard).
Coach Vickers on Bellue: “ball handler, has gotten stronger, need him to be a leader, floor general and scoring threat/finisher off the dribble and find the best open options in our offense.”
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Coach Vickers on Utchman: “very scrappy, smart player who plays with an edge, need him to be a great defender and take advantage of scoring opportunities that come his way, deceptively quick, good athlete.”
Coach Vickers on Isaac Vickers: “very athletic, quick, good ball handler who can shoot, team’s best defender who can guard bigs or guards, experienced, provides quiet leadership, led team in charges taken last year.”
Coach Vickers on Hart: “guard-very athletic, need him to be a good defender, need him to use his athleticism to create offensive opportunities for himself and others, this year is a great chance for him to step up for our team, lots of potential in him.”
Seniors Owen Fore and Carter Kindall along with sophomores Luke Waterman and Austin Pogue will all look to carve out varsity time.
Fordland opens the season Nov. 18-22 at the Veron Tip-Off Classic.
“I hope we can improve on our record from last year and win all the games that we are ‘supposed to win’ and steal a couple that, on paper, maybe people would not think we should win,” Coach Vickers said.
