By Chris Parker
School of the Ozarks boys basketball graduated two starters from last season’s team. One of those two starters was first-team all-conference selection Israel Reynolds.
Young players will need to step up to replace the graduated production.
“Our success this year will be about how fast our younger kids come along,” School of the Ozarks head coach Jerry Martin said. “As sophomores and freshmen, they got a lot of work and experience last year. They’ll get a lot of chances to check their growth. I think they’ll play with more confidence having gotten so much court time last year even in a challenging season. Great group of young men, which is what I am most excited about.”
Seniors Sam Mutrux and Nehemiah Thompson return this year. Mutrux averaged 2.5 points and 2 rebounds per game last season. Thompson missed last year due to injury.
Sophomore Josiah Martin is the team’s leading returning scorer at 6.5 points per game. He is also the leading returning rebounder at 5.2 rebounds per game.
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Juniors Graham Wilhoit and Caleb Widner round out the returning players. Wilhoit averaged 4 points and 5 rebounds per game. Widner averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds per game.
Shad Thompson returns for his junior year after not playing as a sophomore. Briggs Wilhoit saw some varsity action as a freshman and will have and expanded role this year as a sophomore. Timba Saffle is a freshman who could make an immediate impact.
This group is hungry to improve on last season’s one-win campaign.
“I think one of our strengths this year will be enthusiasm to improve coming off of a rough season win wise,” Martin said. “The kids did some good work this summer. I can’t help but believe we’ll be better from the experience they had last year.”
School of the Ozarks opens the season on Nov. 18 at home against Humansville.
