By Chris Parker
Things will look different for Marion C. Early basketball this season after graduating a strong senior class. The schedule will also have a different feel, as the Panthers join the newly formed Greater Ozarks Conference.
“I am excited about the opportunity for our school and our kids to compete in a conference, not only in basketball but all of the sports and activities the GOC will offer,” MCE head coach Jonathan Winslow said. “One positive thing about a conference is it gives your students more opportunities to be recognized for their achievements. I also like being in a conference as it brings meaning to more regular season games and develops rivalries as you compete against one another every year. The biggest challenge was last winter/spring after the conference formed in getting our schedule completed as we had to add some of the teams we hadn’t played previously and move games around or cancel games with other schools. So, our schedule looks a lot different than the past couple seasons which should be good as well. Traditionally a lot of the schools in our conference have a good history in boys basketball so it should be a competitive and sold conference.”
On the court, just one starter in Coltin Jett returns. He average 8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a junior.
“I expect him (Jett) to be a leader for us and for his scoring and rebounding stats to improve,” Winslow said. “Coltin is a good athlete who has improved each year.”
The sophomore trio of Keegan Back, Gavin McKinney and Kohyn Raney all return after seeing some varsity action last season.
Winslow on Back: “Keegan saw a little varsity action last year primarily as a defender. I expect Keegan to be a big contributor this year. He is very athletic and has potential to be a lock down defender and can score at all three levels.”
Winslow on McKinney: “Gavin is a very good outside shooter who has continued to improve other aspects of his game. He played some last year as a zone buster or to stretch the floor, and I expect him to be a big contributor this season.”
Winslow on Raney: “Kohyn Raney saw limited varsity action last year. He has improved a lot and spent a lot of time working to improve. He has a chance to be one of the better sophomores in our conference. He is very skilled offensively, can get to the basket, shoot the pull up and shoot the three. He should be a big part of our offense this year. He needs to continue to get stronger.”
Seniors Kolton Arthur and Wyatt Bryan along with junior Blake Salyer, sophomore Lucas Cutler and freshman Conner Colf will be newcomers.
Winslow on Arthur: “Kolton is a solid defender and rebounder and has some offensive ability as well. He should be able to contribute to us this season.”
Winslow on Bryan: “Wyatt is a solid defender and rebounder who plays bigger than his size and plays with a lot of heart. He brings some toughness and grit to us.”
Winslow on Salyer: “Blake is a very athletic kid who handles the ball well and should be able to be a quality defender. He needs to improve his consistency to help us be successful.”
Winslow on Cutler: “Lucas is a very athletic sophomore. He started varsity baseball as a catcher last spring, so hopefully some of that experience will help him on the basketball court. He has a lot of upside and should be a major contributor this season.”
Winslow on Colf: “Connor is a freshman who has really grown both physically and as a player since his 8th grade year. He is very athletic and long and should have a chance to win some minutes by playing hard defending and rebounding.”
The team will be inexperienced but should be offensively balanced.
“We have a lot of kids that can put the ball in the basket, so I think balance on offense and ability to score will be a strength,” Winslow said. “We have a lot of youth and inexperienced players at the varsity level, so adjusting to the speed and physicality of varsity basketball will be crucial to our success.”
MCE hosts Stockton, Walnut Grove and Fair Play for a jamboree on Nov. 21. The Panthers open the regular season Dec. 2-7 at its home tournament.
“My goal is for us to never get outworked and for us to see improvement both individually and as a group throughout the season,” Winslow said. “I am looking forward to seeing how this group grows and comes together not only for success this year but to provide a foundation for success the next couple of years as well.”
