By Chris Parker
Skyline boys basketball took a step forward last season going from four wins two seasons ago to 10 wins last season.
The Tigers will look to keep that positive momentum going as they move from the Mid-Lakes Conference to the Southwest Conference this season.
“The move will give us a chance to renew some old rivalries and begin some new ones,” Skyline head coach Tommy Egan said. “Some of the teams in the Southwest Conference were a part of the old Mid-Lakes conference so we are pretty familiar with those schools.”
Parker Owen returns to lead the Tigers after he earned first-team all-conference honors as a freshman.
“Parker is the definition of a gym rat,” Egan said. “He loves the game of basketball and is constantly in the gym working on his game. He shoots the ball extremely well and has the ability to attack the basket as well.”
Owen scored 15.2 points per game with 84 total rebounds and 36 total assists.
“Parker has gotten stronger and quicker in the offseason and looks to have improved defensively,” Egan said. “He deeply cares about how he performs on the floor. It is important he finds the balance of being ultra-competitive without losing his composure when he struggles. We feel he’s matured mentally in that way which should also help improve his performance.”
Aiden Meade is another young guard who will be dynamic for Skyline. Meade was named honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore.
“Aiden is one of the best pure shooters I have ever had the chance to coach,” Egan said. “He plays extremely hard and competes on both ends of the floor. He has really improved his ability to get to the rim and finish which should help open up his game even more.”
Meade shot 40% from 3 on 87 makes last season. He led the team with 18.2 points per game and 28 total steals. He also contributed 40 total rebounds and 41 assists.
“Ever since he was a freshman, Aiden has done a great job of leading by example,” Egan said. “He is a very quiet kid by nature but now that he is an upperclassmen we are expecting him to become much more vocal. We are expecting him to do whatever it takes to help the team have success whether it be defending, ball handling, passing or scoring. He is a solid basketball player that will be up for the challenge.”
Carter King (sophomore point guard), Jayden Moppin (senior forward), Camden West (senior guard) and Paxton Foster (junior forward) also return.
King scored 6.3 points per game with 74 total rebounds.
“Carter does a great job running the point for us,” Egan said. “He distributes and handles the ball well, can finish at the rim, and has improved his outside shooting. He has improved his quickness and strength in the offseason and is another sophomore we think can make a big jump in his second varsity season.”
Moppin pulled down a team-high 137 total rebounds while scoring 2.6 points per game.
“Jayden played his role to a T last season and gave us good minutes,” Egan said. “He is our best rebounder, best post defender, and does a great job as a screener and trash man. He fits in well with the rest of the team and is an important part of what we do.”
West added in 4.5 points per game with 41 total assists.
“We will need Camden to do a little bit of everything this year,” Egan said. “A lot of nights he will defend the other team’s best player. We need him to create shots for his teammates and we need him to get us baskets when the situation calls for it. Cam has two years of varsity experience under his belt, and we are excited for him in his senior season.”
Foster scored 3.6 points per game and had 108 total rebounds, which was second on the team.
“Paxton is our best post scorer,” Egan said. “He is a strong kid that has improved his conditioning. He has had a really good offseason and is primed to be a big part of what we do if he continues to work at it.”
Carter Millbern (senior forward), Landen Hodges (sophomore forward) and Noah Long (sophomore guard) will be newcomers.
Egan on Millbern: “Carter is a team first guy that plays with great attitude and effort. He has the ability to give us some rim protection with his length and get us baskets inside.”
Egan on Hodges: “Landen is a very smart player that understands and executes his role. He has a nice shooting touch and looks to provide depth at the post position.”
Egan on Long: “Noah has a lot of athletic ability. He passes the ball well, can finish at the basket and has the ability to be a good defender for us. He has really matured both physically and mentally and looks to provide depth at the guard position.”
Skyline has played many young players over the past couple seasons. Egan hopes that experience pays off this season.
“We are hopeful our biggest strength is our experience,” Egan said. “We have six guys on our team that have at least one year, if not more, of significant varsity experience. We took a step forward in our play last year, and we are hopeful to take an even bigger step this year. Understanding how to play each other, and the roles we must execute individually to mesh as a unit, should go hand in hand with more experience.”
Egan hopes with that experience can come more consistency.
“(We need) consistency in all facets of the game,” Egan said. “We know we will never put together a perfect game, but if we can put together longer stretches of solid play consecutively it will go a long way into helping us have a successful season.”
Skyline travels to Springfield Catholic for a jamboree on Nov. 21 with the host Irish, Monett and Clever. The Tigers open the regular season Dec. 2-7 at the Warsaw tournament.
