Springfield Central boys’ basketball hasn’t had a winning season for 13 years.
Eight games into this season, the Bulldogs are a one loss team with a core group of young talent determined to change the program’s narrative.
It’s a new year but a familiar Bulldog basketball team.
“Essentially returning every single person from our roster last year,” said Central boys basketball coach Jordan Epps.
The difference this year there’s a lot more to cheer about.
Last years’ team only won eight games but through nine games this season the Bulldogs have already matched that win total.
“We’ve got that experience. Last year we were a really young and inexperienced group,” Epps said.
Among the only experienced players last year were now senior Sterling Vinson and junior Antonio Starks-Fewell
This year, that duo is joined by break out sophomores Keion Epps and Bryce Walker.
“They’re a big part,” Epps said. “They’re two returning starters that we got coming in. They’re both essential to our offense and to our defense and how we want to play.”
Keion is a floor general that can score and is catching the eye of Division one coaches.
“He pushes the tempo; sets the tempo and he’ll guard some of the best players on any given night,” Epps said.
“I feel he facilitates the court well. He pushes the pace, he can move the ball and score,” said Bryce Walker.
Bryce brings size and the ability to play anywhere.
“Bryce brings us that presence down low that we don’t have. We essentially have five guards on the floor every time, but I ask a lot of him to be able to play kind of out of position,” Epps said.
“He’s not really a center but he’s a center on our team, when we play bigger people he rebounds well,” said Keion Epps.
Keion and Bryce play together in the offseason, building chemistry.
“If I call for a screen, I probably call for him more than anybody because I know him more than anybody on the court. He’ll roll and I can get the pass to him and stuff like that,” Keion said.
The dynamic duo is hoping to establish a winning culture at Central.
“I’m trying to get to state and get district wins,” Keion said.
“Fill up the trophy case as much as we can while we can,” Bryce added.
Looking to add the programs’ first trophy since a district title in 2009.
