By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Bryan Tucker has one of the most experienced teams in the Ozarks entering this winter, with the three-headed monster of Spensar Seiger, Bryden Baxter and Kyle Winterberg all back in the mix.
The trio is responsible for 40 wins over the last two seasons and coming off of a 21-7 campaign in 2023-24.
Seiger – also one of the area’s top quarterbacks – is a matchup nightmare for the Eagles.
“Spensar is such a special player,” said Tucker. “He knows when he needs to take over in close games. I think his ability to make plays for others is what is going to take him to another level this year.”
Fellow seniors Bryden Baxter and Kyle Winterberg also return, giving Fair Grove two of the best two-way players in the league.
Tucker believes they’ll be even better this winter.
“Bryden had two broken collarbones last year from football and really struggled to get to his sophomore year level. He has really put in a lot of work this off season to play at his best this year. We have a high expectation for him on both ends of the floor.
“I cannot wait to watch Kyle take another step this year. We expect him to take and make big shots for us. He is a lengthy player and does a good job on the defensive end of the floor.”
Several new faces will see increased roles this winter as well.
Sam Kennard and Kolton Klindworth give the Eagles a pair of big bodies that are skilled enough to both score and playmake.
Kellen Kirkpatrick and Grant Fuller are a pair of guards that can play multiple positions and score efficiently.
This group isn’t short on talent and after losing six of their seven games by just a couple of possessions, this is a hardened group that understands what it takes to win.
Tucker believes their experience in other sports pay dividends on the hardwood this season.
“We think we are the beneficiary of having a great football program,” said Tucker. “These kids know how to win, and we expect them to have a deep run, possibly into the state championship game. Losing to Greenwood is something we have talked a lot about and something that has motivated us all off season.
“They know how to win. They know how to compete. They know how to overcome adversity. I think we have 4 total kids in our program that aren’t playing a fall sport of some kind so they all know how to compete and win. With our conference expanding this year and being really tough on the basketball side that will really prepare us for the postseason, and we hope that means we are playing our best by the time districts begin.”
Fair Grove will jamboree at Norwood with West Plains and Willow Springs before opening the 2024-25 regular season on Dec. 2 at the 91st Clever Invitational.
