By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Entering Jordan Fielding’s sixth season as head coach, the Hornets now have something that they haven’t had since John Schaefer left.
Consistency.
Fielding has been over .500 in each of the last two seasons with a district championship in 2023. And with three starters back in the mix, Hillcrest should again be challenging for a playoff run.
Senior Taner Hicks returns after averaging 15 points, six rebounds and three assists and classmate Ethan Weaver added 10 points and four rebounds.
Hicks is one of the most productive returning players in SPS.
“Taner’s game really doesn’t have many, if any, weaknesses,” said Fielding. “He shot close to 40% from three, scored 432 points, grabbed 172 rebounds, and dished out 100 assists. He can literally do it all. This offseason we really looked for him to be a vocal leader for us. He has done that and more. He has gotten stronger as well. Don’t let his wiry frame fool you. He is one of the best all-around athletes in SWMO playing football and soccer at the same time in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. He has worked unbelievably hard to get where he is right now, and I know he wants to lead our team to a great season.”
Weaver is a three-year starter.
“Ethan is a strong and physical guard who has been a three-year varsity starter,” Fielding said. “He is a great athlete who can shoot, rebound, and finish at a high level. Ethan’s level of physicality and toughness really separates him from others. He is our 50/50 guy as well. Last year he had more deflections, steals, and charges than anyone else on our team. We are looking for him to step into a bigger leadership role this year as well.”
Also returning is one of the best point guards in the 2027 class in Kyrese Simpson.
Last season he averaged 13 points and a pair of assists, emerging as the next big-name guards in SPS.
“Kyrese is a special player for sure and for as good as he was last year he has only gotten better,” said Fielding. “He is a tough guard who can do everything you would want your point guard to do. He can shoot the three, get to his midrange shot, finish with either hand, pass to the open man, make his free throws, and set the tone for our team defensively.
“He is an unbelievably hard worker as well. He is in the gym every morning before school starts working on his game. He continues to put in the work, and he will continue to shine. I know he will help us have a great season.”
Fielding is also excited about several newcomers that should make an instant impact.
Senior Levi Romero is a guard that can shoot and is a playmaker, while classmate Jordan Tindle provides some size and athleticism.
Juniors James Collins and Braxton Tindle are a pair of guards with different games but can be extremely impactful. Collins is a knockdown shooter while Tindle is a big guard that can create. Both excel defensively as well.
Sophomore Jayven Jones has a chance to have a breakout season. At 6-foot-7 he gives the Hornets length and athleticism at the rim that many teams in the area don’t have this season.
“Jayven played freshman and JV most of last season, but come district time we decided to put him in there and he really stepped up,” said Fielding. “He is long and athletic, and he has the ability to be a rim protector for us on defense. He is able to finish with finesse around the rim and power above the rim. He can also step out and shoot the three. I think he will have a great year.”
Hillcrest will have the challenge of entering a new league in the Ozark Mountain Conference, a conference that has more like-sized programs.
While it was solid in football, this will be a basketball league which makes for some great matchups.
As the Hornets look to chase a district championship, a conference championship will be great at preparing as they look to take the next step as a program under Fielding.
“Every team in the Ozark Mountain Conference we either played last year or have played the last few years. The league is full of great coaches and players and will be very competitive come February when the conference schedule starts. Every single game will be a battle.
“It took a lot of hard work to get where we are right now as a program, but it helps when you have players who commit to doing things the right way,” said Fielding. “We have had guys buy in to putting in extra work and doing the little things that might go unseen to the general public. We have a school community who has supported us and helped us get to this point as well. Hillcrest is a special place to be. It is truly somewhere you feel like you are part of a family and because of that and all of these moving pieces coming together we have been able to get where we are now. Hopefully we can continue to have success.”
Hillcrest will host Kickapoo and Ozark in a jamboree on Nov. 20 before opening the 2024-25 regular season on Dec. 6 at McDonald County.
