By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Being elite is difficult, doing so when everyone knows you’re coming is even more challenging.
That’s exactly what Central did last year, going 25-7 and capping the season with the program’s eighth Final Four appearance. The Bulldogs lost to eventual Class 6 state champion Cardinal Ritter in the semifinals. With four starters back and eight key rotational pieces returning, this group is one of the most anticipated in program history.
“We gave ourselves a chance to be competitive against Ritter even with playing a rough game for our standards,” said Central head coach Jordan Epps. “After that game was over, we had a quick turnaround and were able to bounce back and finish out a fun final four weekend. Truthfully, we have not spoken about Ritter after that game, we spoke about ourselves this offseason and summer and what It will take to be our best and get back to that spot.”
Senior starters Keion Epps, Bryce Walker, Devin Sanford and Jordan Pittman are all back.
Epps averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 assists and three steals as a junior, earning All-State honors. Bryce Walker averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. They’ve been mainstays in the Central lineup since their freshman year, Epps’ first as head coach.
“Keion is a naturally gifted talent,” said Epps. “His IQ of the game helps his skills look effortless a lot of the time. He has had some great matchups with 2025 guards in Missouri and I believe he met and exceeded expectations at times. I expect to see an even better Keion this season, he has fallen in love with the gym and weight room, his strength and explosiveness is reaching new levels.
“Bryce has added to his game by working on his 3-point shooting. Having a big man that can stretch the floor and virtually score whenever he wants to in the paint will be a nightmare for most teams we play. His dedication to the weight room has been great to see. In the 2023-24 season he was coming off a knee injury and was out from April until our first game. Having a full year of recovery will help going into the season. He was only playing at about 70-80%. Which is scary to think about.”
Sanford and Pittman are two extremely gifted guards that can play on or off the ball.
Sanford averaged 13 points, four assists and a pair of steals as a junior, while Pittman was a Swiss-Army Knife, putting up seven points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Both can also defend at a really high level.
Already holding multiple college offers, Sanford has a chance to really flourish with a larger role this season.
“Devin is a player that has taken off in terms of his skills and IQ of the game,” said Epps. “He extended his range and added being a 3-level scorer. That is one of the biggest reasons why he is getting college offers going into this season.”
Epps is also excited about the development of Brody Holland and Trevor Wilson. Both saw varsity minutes last year and will see even more this winter.
Holland is considered one of the best athletes in the Ozarks.
For the Bulldogs, this season is about getting back to the Final Four.
They’ll again be in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in addition to nearly every major event across the Ozarks except the Blue and Gold.
Epps understands what it takes to win as a player and has shown the same ability as a coach, taking Central from a six-win program prior to his arrival to one of the premiere programs in Missouri.
Now the final step of resurrecting the program is a state championship.
“Being a player that has seen success at the high school and college level, just helps me not only tell the kids what it takes but show them that I have been to what they want to achieve. When I took over the Central program my goal was to get the program where it needed to be to be competitive and be a top respectable team in the area and Missouri. So, having the players believe in me and buy into a system that can change a culture that needed to change has been great. This is my fourth year, I have four seniors that played as a freshman and eight seniors total; they have been through the bumps in the road, and to see them get to where they are now is also special.
“Central has to be Central, we have the talent and return a great core of players to compete for conference and district. Moving to the COC will make the conference chase tougher but I still believe we have a great shot to win it this year and make another run at state. Finishing third place in state has motivated this group to lead our team and get back to the Final Four. I have seen growth in players but also as leaders for the team.”
Central will jamboree at Marshfield on Nov. 19 before opening the 2024-25 regular season on Nov. 21 at Link Academy.
