By Chris Parker
Halfway boys basketball returns its top eight players from last season’s team.
Leading that group is Maddox McCarthy who averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds per game on his way to first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.
“Max has really worked on his control when attacking. It will help his finishing ability and will help keep him out of foul trouble,” Halfway head coach Eric Ingram said. “He is a guy that can get you a bucket. He is strong and can get to the rim, but also can shoot from all over the floor.”
Zach Laney was first-team all-district and second-team all-conference as a junior. He averaged 10.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
“Zach is good around the rim and is one of our better defenders. He will be tasked with guarding good players every night but we also look for him to score on the offensive end,” Ingram said. “Zach has great floor presence on both ends. He is a good on and off ball defender, and a good passer on the other end.”
Shane Gallivan was all-district in his sophomore season where he averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
“Shane can shoot it well from deep and has worked hard on his attack game,” Ingram said. “He is a good player with lots of ability and we look for him to have a great year.”
Issac Ingram tallied 9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5 assists per game as a junior.
“Isaac will run the show for us,” Coach Ingram said. “He is a pass first, shoot second type player with a great passing ability and great basketball IQ. He is one of our best defenders and has worked hard on his offensive game this off season.”
Brayden Doke also returns as a starter. He averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds per game as a junior.
“Brayden will be our main post player,” Coach Ingram said. “He does good things for us on both ends of the floor in the paint. He will be looked to guard the opposing big man every night and is also working had on becoming a bigger scoring theat.”
Jaden Turner (senior), Peyton Timmerman (senior) and Michael Carter (senior) round out the returning players.
Coach Ingram on Turner: “Jaden is a long lanky guard who stepped in as our fifth starter last year when Max got hurt. He can get to the rim and is a good rebounder.”
Coach Ingram on Timmerman: “Peyton is a strong physical post. We will look for him to provide minutes and be a help on both ends of the floor. He has lots of varsity minutes and will improve this season.”
Coach Ingram on Carter: “Michael is a fast dude. With the style of defense, we play he steps in and gives us bursts of energy. He has worked to become better on the offensive end as well.”
Jayse Smith (sophomore), Jackson Fisher (freshman) and Colby Maggard (freshman) are newcomers who have a chance at varsity minutes.
“Jayse moved in over Christmas last year and got to spend the second half the season with us. He is a guard that can shoot a little,” Coach Ingram said. “Jackson and Colby are both guards that had good eighth grade years and made vast improvements to their game. Jackson is a guard and Colby a forward who could both see some varsity minutes.”
Luke Propst (senior), Graham Hensley (junior), Wyatt Walters (freshman), and Tucker Horn (freshman) are also in the mix.
Experience and familiarity will be strengths for Halfway this season.
“Last year these boys transitioned to their third coach in three years. I think our strength this year will be experience,” Coach Ingram said. “We have spent a year together and bring back everyone. We went 16-12 last year and lost seven of those games by less than five points. We think the experience of those will turn those close losses into wins this season.”
Halfway opens the season on Nov. 22 at Niangua.
“We want to work hard and get better every day. I think we have a chance to compete this year for championships and that will be our goal. Our success will not be based on wins/losses but how we compete and the young men we turn into. Don’t get me wrong we want to win championships,” Coach Ingram said. “Our team will look to build off last year’s success and turn that into more success. As stated, we bring everybody back and are looking for great things this season as long as we can stay healthy.”
