By Chris Parker
Pierce City boys basketball returns four starters and eight lettermen coming off a nine-win season last winter.
Emmit Price leads the returning players in terms of scoring entering his senior season. He averaged 12.5 points and six rebounds per game as a junior on the way to all-district and all-conference honors.
“Emmitt is a four-year varsity starter and brings a little bit of everything to the court,” Pierce City head coach Derion Donson said. “He can score, pass, rebound, guard, and is a good leader for our team.”
Kyler McWilliams is the team’s second-leading returning scorer after he averaged 9.5 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior.
“(McWilliams) is an all-around player,” Donson said. “He plays with a high IQ and makes the people around him better. He has a smooth game and is a great leader.”
Quortin Parks averaged eight points, three rebounds and three assists per game last season.
“He is a good defensive player and is a threat on offense,” Donson said of Parks.
Layton Mack is also back for his senior season after averaging seven points and five rebounds per game.
Logan Witt rounds out the returning players with significant starting experience on varsity. He averaged three points and two rebounds per game as a junior starting almost every game.
Carson Jespersen (senior), Carter Witt (sophomore), Landen Stanphill (sophomore) and Cruz Torrez (sophomore) also return.
Junior Eli Genzler and freshman Dyllan Kleiboeker will be newcomers to watch.
“This will be my fourth year at Pierce City, and I am excited for this season,” Donson said. “With this being my fourth year, the players know what my expectations are, and we will build on those to help us be successful. I know we have a good group of guys who are coachable and work hard. We have more experience this season with a good number of returning lettermen, and great upper-class leadership. I am optimistic about this season and will have high expectations and goals for our team.”
Pierce City opens the regular season on Nov. 26 at Southwest (Washburn).
