By Chris Parker
Thomas Jefferson boys basketball improved from three wins two seasons ago to 16 wins last season.
This season, the Cavaliers are poised for another big season with three all-conference players returning.
“We’ve been very young over the past two seasons,” Thomas Jefferson head coach Chris Myers said. “This team will have the experience and the depth to compete most every time we take the court.”
Jack Twiss is a junior shooting guard who earned first-team all-conference honors last season. Twiss led the team in scoring with 19.7 points per game to go with 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3 steals per game.
“Jack has been our leading scorer the past two seasons averaging 19.7 PPG last season,” Myers said. “The addition of his brother last year helped lighten the load of bringing the ball up the court, which allowed him to focus more on scoring at time.”
Senior center Kohl Thurman was named second-team all-conference. He averaged 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
“Kohl is a 6’5” center that has proven his abilities over the past two season averaging nearly a double/double both years including 11.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG last season,” Myers said. “Kohl also has the ability to step away from the basket and score from the 3-point line.”
Will Twiss rounds out the returning all-conference players. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors after he averaged 11 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.7 assists per game.
“Will grew tremendously last season, handling pressure much better in the latter half of the season,” Myers said. “He also proved his ability to shoot the ball from the three-point line hitting 38% last season. We will look to improve his ability to get to the rim, and expect to see vast improvements in his free throw percentage.”
Yousef Mokhtar (junior forward), Spencer Long (junior guard/forward), Simon Studer (junior shooting guard), Jaxx Wisdom (senior forward), Jackson Radius (junior forward) and Sam Goodhue (freshman forward) will all contribute on varsity.
Myers on Mokhtar:” Yousuf had a breakout game last year in the opening round of districts scoring 12 points off the bench. He has shown the ability to be a confident and vocal leader during soccer this year, and we will look to carry that confidence and leadership into basketball season.”
Myers on Long: “Spencer is a returning starter that has shown marked improvement in his shooting during the off season. He’s long and has a motor that can give teams fits on the defense end as well.”
Myers on Studer: “Simon had some big shooting games for us last year. He has worked hard to improve his strength and could be a kid that forces his way into more playing time.”
Myers on Wisdom: “Jaxx is a player that has grown tremendously as a basketball player. He will be looked on to potentially start and be an on and off the court leader for our team.”
Myers on Radius: “High energy kid that if he continues to improve his level of maturity and commitment could earn a spot in the rotation.”
Myers on Goodhue: “This is a kid who had a great summer and one we expect to earn quality playing time, likely in the second half of the season. However, I won’t be shocked if he forces his way on the court before then.”
Myers wants his team to be able to control tempo this season.
“We must continue to get better at handling pressure and being able to control the tempo of the game whether that means playing fast or being able to slow the game down when we need to,” Myers said.
Thomas Jefferson opens the season on Nov. 25 at home against Sarcoxie.
“Every season’s success is marked by our kids and coaches growing as people,” Myers said. “We want to do everything we can to try to compete each night, but in the end we want to walk away from the season knowing we put forth our best effort and grew as individuals and teammates.”
