By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The run that Thayer is on may never be replicated again in the Ozarks.
Entering Matt Pitts 19th season, the Bobcats have won 14 district titles in the last 16 seasons, including 11 consecutive district championships.
In that time Thayer has been to four Final Fours, including three straight.
While the season didn’t end the way the Cats had hoped, falling to eventual state champion New Madrid County Central, Pitts believes the run was still valuable.
“I think last season helped us take another step forward as a program,” said Pitts. “For us to be a small school program and to get invites to two national-level tournaments is something our guys and fans will never forget.
“Also, having to really scrap and claw just to compete at such a level made us better not only last season but also going into this one. We as a program have been so blessed to be able to experience and achieve the things we have over the years and we are going to continue to work hard and try our best to not take any of that for granted.”
With four full or part-time starters returning from last year’s 23-9 team, expectations are still sky-high around Thayer.
It all starts with senior standouts Devin Harrington and Easton Pitts.
Harrington is a 6-foot-5 forward that averaged 13.3 points and 9.4 rebounds as a junior, earning All-State honors.
Pitts is a 5-foot-9 guard that does it all, averaging 10.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds as a junior.
This is one of the best one-two punches returning to the Ozarks.
“Devin can impact a game in so many ways,” said Pitts. “His ability to rebound the basketball and defend multiple positions on the floor really sets him apart from other bigs. Offensively, his ability to handle the basketball and knock down the 3 make him a match up nightmare for opponents. Also, his motor and desire to win is as good as any player we have had here and that blue collar mentality makes him a joy to coach. Devin has as much impact on a game as any player in the state.
“Easton’s role will change but we believe he is 100% ready. He has been a facilitating point guard for us over the last two seasons and did a spectacular job, but this season he will take more of a combo guard role where he will be asked to score the ball more for us. His speed and quickness along with his leaping ability make him hard for a lot of guards to match up. His pace of play really sets the tone for us offensively and defensively he’s relentless. He’s been a big shot maker for us his whole career and we look for that to continue along with his ability to get teammates the ball in the right spots and on time. He’s been such a joy to coach mainly because of his fire and warrior spirit. This will be bittersweet for me with him being a senior. I have been so blessed by God to be able to coach both of my sons on high level teams in front of the fans/community that I love with all of my heart and a lot of the same folks that cheered for me as a player.”
Classmates Cooper Clark and Brandon Prince also return.
Clark (6-1, 225) is a physical big and Prince (6-foot-3, 210) has great size but also an impressive skill set.
“Cooper is a blue-collar, physical, hard-nosed and will bring toughness to the floor, very versatile with a high basketball IQ,” said Pitts. “He’s a great passer and will do a lot of great things for us offensively and defensively.
“Brandon is a long athlete with good size, finishes well around the basket and can knock down a jumper, physical defender around the basket.”
Senior John Zuchowski, as well as juniors Riley White and Heath Combs also return after playing varsity minutes last year.
Pitts is also excited about a trio of newcomers.
Juniors Colton Mills and Hollis Deckard give Thayer a pair of guards that can really shoot the ball. Freshman Jayden Belch (6-4, 155) has a chance to be the next big name at Thayer with impressive length and versatility.
Carter Nicholson and Mason Thornton are also competing for roles.
It’s not championship or bust for Thayer, but this group has done nothing but win over the last three years, totaling 78 wins in the last three seasons.
Pitts may be approaching retirement, but he has plenty left in the tank as the Bobcats will look to ride that experience and an elite defense as far as they can this season.
“We sure have been close,” said Pitts. “I think in order to get another opportunity we have to continue to focus on the process and the journey and not so much on the destination. This group is really close, has great chemistry and their acceptance of their individual roles is going to make this a fun group to watch grow over the course of the season.
“I still really love what I do and all of the relationships that I have built along the way with fellow coaches and players. I have been so blessed to work at a place where we have a great administration, who supports what we do, a fanbase/community that loves the BOBCATS and parents who allow us to coach their kids. Without these three things it’s almost impossible to have sustained success. So as far as what I have left I really don’t know but when my wife Valerie, who may be as important to our success as anyone for just putting up with me through this ride, and I have that conversation and God tells me it’s time to step aside I’ll know.”
Thayer will open the 2024-25 regular season on Dec. 6 at Melbourne (Ark.).
