By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For head coach Ryan Worley, returning nine players to the hardwood for the 2024-25 campaign is a nice luxury in his first season at the helm of the Mountaineers.
Worley previously spent six years at New Covenant Academy.
“This was just a really good opportunity with strong tradition and strong athletes,” said Worley.
As for his Mountaineers, the excitement that is resonating throughout Lawrence County is palpable.
The Mountaineers authored a 14-13 record last year, falling to Seneca 70-40 in the Class 4 District 12 tournament.
The team, though, returns four starters to the hardwood this season and only lost one player from last year’s team in Landon Jones.
“There’s three seniors who will play quite a bit,” said Worley.
“Conner Short, Hudson Gaddy and Luke Robbins played the majority of their time on junior varsity last season but will be in our rotation this season,” added Worley.
Seniors to watch are 6’2” Jarrett Zerby; 5’10” Juliun Hernandez; 6’0” Quinton Smiles and 6’4” Luke Robbins.
Juniors to keep a watchful eye upon include Hunter Conway, Lucas Schoen and Hunter Dawson.
Both Dawson and Dawson will start again this year.
Last year, they combined to average 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
“Two of them have started and one that I think will compete for a starting spot this year, and if he doesn’t, then he will play a lot of minutes this year,” Worley said of Schoen, who averaged 4 points, one assist and one rebound per game last year on varsity.
Given the plethora of seasoned varsity veterans in hand this year, Worley feels good about his Mountaineers.
“I think there is high hopes for this group,” Worley said of his crew. “Last year, they won 14, and only losing one and then guys coming back with a lot of experience, I feel like expectations are high for this group — the same core group of guys who are also seniors on our football team. And you have seen what they have been able to accomplish this year. They have the same kind of hope and expectation for it to carry over to basketball.”
While inside and outside expectations are a given, Worley is cautious when setting expectations.
“I am always careful about setting specific goals, you want to give yourself a chance [to win] a district championship or the conference, but I think they are things that are unset goals for these guys; it is something they haven’t done in their [three] years here,” said Worley. “But they are hoping to get a shot to do [that] this year.”
Last season, the team averaged 52 points, 28 rebounds, five steals, 12 assists and 12 turnovers per game.
The Mountaineers shot 63 percent from the line, while the opposition knocked down 59 percent.
Mt. Vernon also knocked down 219 points from downtown (173 converted 3’s).
The jamboree is slated for Nov. 22 at Carthage and will feature Carl Junction and Lamar.
Returning Starters:
Jarrett Zerby – Senior guard – Varsity starter since freshman year
Juliun Hernandez – senior guard
Hunter Conway – junior guard
Hunter Dawson – junior forward
Returning Letterman – Nonstarters:
Quinton Smiles – senior forward
Lucas Schoen – junior guard
Seniors who will contribute:
Luke Robbins – senior forward
Hudson Gaddy – senior guard
Connor Short – senior guard
Tanner Lutes – senior forward
The Big 8 Conference consists of Aurora, Cassville, Lamar, McDonald County, Monett, Mt. Vernon, Nevada and Seneca.
