By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Lebanon boys basketball program has improved their win total in each of the past three years, going from a two-win season in 2021 to 16-11 finish last winter.
It was Lebanon’s first winning season since 2020 — and just its third since 2010.
After graduating a six-player senior class — including the entire starting lineup —, fourth-year head coach Ryan Toombs and the Yellowjackets look to extend that streak of success as they make the move to the Central Ozark Conference.
“When you couple the new conference with graduating all of our starters, we are hitting the reset button,” Toombs said. “It is time for us to start building toward an even higher level of play. There will be a lot of opportunities for new varsity players to step up and show they belong on the court with some very talented players and teams.”
While several of the team’s players will be in their first varsity season, Toombs noted they have a wealth of basketball experience outside the program.
Those skills should translate well as the team prepares to join a conference that was already one of the state’s best before absorbing several premier teams from the now-defunct Ozark Conference.
“While we know our competition is going to be challenging, we believe we are just as capable,” Toombs said. “For us to compete like we believe we can, we must commit to a mindset that embraces outworking ourselves from the day before.”
Toombs pointed to the graduated Class of 2024 as exemplifying that mindset, and noted this year’s senior class is poised to continue to elevate the program.
“Of course we are competing to win each time we stop on the court, but we want to measure our success in how we approach each day,” he said. “Can we be intentional about showing up to practice, fighting hard to get the most out of each rep and be accountable to each other? Last year we had an outstanding group of six seniors who led our program by example. Even in our first year together when most of them were sophomores on JV, they set the standard for our program by committing to doing those things. It didn’t matter what it was, that group of seniors showed up and worked hard. As a coach, you can’t accomplish the winning part without a high level of enthusiasm for the day-to-day things that lead to wins. We were fortunate to have that buy-in the last three years and I think it will continue with another great group of five seniors to lead us into this season.”
Those seniors are guards Noah Boggs, Nolan Fort and Blake Coffman, as well as forwards Brock Piercey and Bristol Burtin.
Boggs was a spot starter when the Yellowjackets battled through injuries and finished as the team’s top 3-point shooter, converting 38.7 percent of his attempts.
“We look for him to have another big year as a senior,” Toombs said.
Fort and Coffman also saw some varsity playing time last season.
Toombs on Fort: “Will be a big part of our success in his senior season. His passing ability might be his best asset, which is impressive when you consider how great of a shooter he is.”
Toombs on Coffman: “Stepped up for us last year as we struggled with injuries and was very solid on the defensive end. We are excited to see him step up into a leadership role.”
Piercey missed his junior season with an injury, but is healthy now. He and Burtin will give the Yellowjackets some options at forward.
With just two players listed above 6-foot-2 — and none above 6-foot-3 — this year’s team will face some of the same challenges encountered in past years.
“In typical Lebanon fashion, we will be undersized and trying to make up for that with our work ethic,” Toombs said. “We will continue to rely on our defensive and rebounding effort, as well as offensive efficiency to make up for the disadvantage of playing against teams with more size and athleticism.”
Mason Huber headlines a four-player junior class. The guard is coming off a season in which he set the school record for free-throw percentage at 90.3 percent.
“He will take another step forward as the lead guard for us this year,” Toombs said.
Forwards Antwon Givens and Urijah Jones and guard Noah Thornhill could also see the court.
Toombs on Givens: “A great athlete who plays extremely hard. We are looking forward to his development as he gains experience at the varsity level.”
Toombs on Jones: “Possesses great potential and could provide big-time contributions, especially when it comes to defense and rebounding.”
Toombs on Thornhill: “Can really shoot it from the perimeter and continues to grow other aspects of his game. We can’t wait to see that translate at the varsity level this season.”
Sophomores Harrison Howe, Jag Goforth and Gavin Gottman will all push the upperclassmen for playing time. Howe is a forward, while Goforth and Gottman are guards.
Toombs on Howe: “Was a valuable part of a very successful freshmen team last year. His size and shooting ability give him a chance to earn a varsity role.”
Toombs on Goforth: ”Has worked really hard this off-season to get stronger and improve his skills. That work ethic has him positioned to contribute on the varsity level.”
Toombs on Gottman: “A gifted athlete who competes hard from the opening tip to the final buzzer. His competitive fire will create varsity opportunities for him.”
With so many options, scoring depth is a powerful element of Lebanon’s game.
“We have a lot of guys who can really shoot the ball from the perimeter,” Toombs said. “I think that will make it difficult for teams to key on any one player of ours without running the risk of other guys heating up. We are excited to build on that strength to give us the best chance to compete in our league.”
Following a November 18 jamboree in Rolla against the Bulldogs and Helias Catholic, Lebanon will open the regular season at the Forsyth Tournament that starts December 2.
“Our identity must be our ability to play as hard as we can with no quit,” Toombs said. “We need to stay in attack mode on both ends of the floor no matter the situation.”
