By Chris Parker
Sarcoxie boys basketball has a new head coach in Gerod Hall this season. Hall has spent 17 years at Sarcoxie in various coaching roles.
“I’m a long-time high school assistant/freshman head coach/middle school head coach. The timing had never been right for me to be a high school head coach, but this time it was,” Hall said. “This is my 17th year in Sarcoxie. During that time, I’ve been a high school boys assistant coach and middle school boys head coach. I coached most of these players in middle school, so I’m very familiar with them and they are very familiar with my coaching style.”
He is looking to turn around a program that has won 11 games in three straight seasons and has not had a winning season since 2020.
“We will need consistent contributions from everyone on the team,” Hall said. “Players will have to know their roles and excel at them.”
Grant Caddick (senior guard, 3.1 ppg), Caleb Chrisman (senior guard/post, 6 ppg), Noah Garrison (senior post, 3.3 ppg), Lane Everts (junior post) and Gatlon Malotte (junior guard, 3.3 ppg) return this season.
Hall on Caddick: “Grant brings a lot of experience, knowledge, and calm under pressure.”
Hall on Chrisman: “Caleb will be a big contributor for this team. He can run a guard spot but also has size to play in the post.”
Hall on Garrison: “Noah is the one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached. He is strong, fast, and athletic.”
Hall on Everts: “Lane gives us length in the post. He will grab a lot of rebounds for us and alter shots on the defensive end of the floor.”
Hall on Malotte: “Gatlon is a leaper. He has the ability to elevate, rebound, and score over defenders.”
Sophomores Carter Phillips (guard), Tyler Lambeth (guard), Grey Phelps (post) and freshman Kole Kellhofer (guard/post) will be newcomers to watch.
“We are a defensive-minded team. We will look to play solid defense and control the boards,” Hall said. “We will have to have 5-7 guys contributing on the offensive end of the floor and everyone contributing on the defensive end.”
Sarcoxie opens the season on Nov. 22 at home against Greenfield.
“Success is much more than a win-loss record,” Hall said. “With that said, we still want to win every time we step on the floor.”
