By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After spending nearly two decades next to Jay Osborne, it’s now Brock Blansit’s turn to slide over one chair and take over Nixa Basketball.
Over the last 14 seasons. Nixa has posted 324 wins with 12 20-win seasons and eight district championships with Blansit learning alongside Osborne. Part of that tutelage included Blansit actively taking on a larger role over the years, something that has helped prepare him for his new title.
“The one thing I always appreciated about Jay is he 100% trusted me,” said Blansit. “I was his assistant coach for 19 years so there was a great working relationship. I’ve had such a great experience working with Osborne that it’s definitely made the transition easier. I’ve “coached” so much in our games there isn’t going to be much of a difference, except I will stand more during games.”
Blansit inherits a Nixa team that returns just one starter in Kael Combs. The 6-foot-4 senior guard averaged 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds as a junior, shooting 57 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range.
He’s also one of the area’s top defenders, while also being one of Missouri’s top prospects at wide receiver. He’s currently fielding D1 offers in both sports.
Combs will likely slide over to point guard this season.
“Kael has the ability to score many ways and is so athletic,” said Blansit. “What goes unnoticed is he will end up with either the first or second most steals in Nixa history. He gets his hands on the basketball more than any kid I’ve coached. I look for him to have a huge season. His speed and quickness is overlooked at times as well.”
Senior Noah Engelman, as well as juniors Garrett Hines and Josh Peters will also see larger roles this winter after playing significant minutes last season.
“Noah played a lot of minutes last year and will be more of a scorer this year than last year,” said Blansit. “He’s one of the best defenders in the area. Garrett can really shoot the basketball. He’s worked hard on his game and in the weight room. Josh can score from anywhere. He’s also a good 3-point shooter that can also put the ball on the floor and score.”
Nixa will also welcome in Daniel McCoy and freshman Jackson Cantwell, who should also compete immediately for varsity minutes.
While Blansit will continue some of the things he learned or implemented while coaching with Osborne, he will certainly put his own unique touch on the program.
“Obviously, every coach has their own ideas so there will be a few noticeable differences,” said Blansit. “Fans can expect an extremely up-tempo type of game. I’ve put in several offenses and defenses myself so there will be some things that will stay the same. Defensively we plan to press a little more than we have in the past. It should be an exciting brand of basketball that our fans/community should enjoy watching.”
After finishing last year as the Class 6 runner-up, Nixa will look for its 11th Final Four trip in program history. The names on this year’s roster will be different, but the expectations around Nixa Basketball won’t change.
“We lost 90% of our offense but I can assure you that we will compete in every game,” said Blansit. “Rebounding will be key for this team. We will have several kids playing that have very little or no varsity experience at all. I love the team we have and think we will surprise a lot of people in the state.”
Nixa will join Bolivar at Kickapoo for a jamboree on Nov. 17 before opening the 2022-23 regular season at the Willard Basketball Classic on Nov. 30.
