By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Charley Dryer has added “Boys’ Head Basketball Coach” to his resume’ to go along with his title of “Girls’ Head Basketball Coach” at Weaubleau High School.
Dryer took over the girls’ program at Weaubleau in 2016-17, and this year is taking on the challenge of guiding the boys’ team, where he served as an assistant the past two years.
“I coached the girls here last year, and this year I am doing both,” Dryer said. “We have shooters, ballhandlers, speed, strength, athleticism, depth, defenders, scorers, and boys who aren’t afraid to work hard. I plan to push them to work and build as we work into a new system.”
The Tigers went 10-16 last season and lost to Lakeland in the first round of districts, but Dryer says that record does not indicate what the team can accomplish.
“A lot of their losses were close games to top teams in our area,” Dryer said. “I feel the sky is the limit for us this season and in the future. If the boys can trust me, and trust each other to dedicate themselves from the beginning, this will be a fun year as we catch several people off-guard. I plan to put us in positions to use our strengths, such as our athleticism and our depth, in an up-tempo style.”
Weaubleau loses Thomas Queen, an All-District and All-Polk County League Honorable Mention pick, from last year’s team. Queen averaged 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as an undersized post player.
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But, the Tigers are poised to pounce with the return of Cameron Ott, Chris Ritter and Chase Ratliff.
Ott, a 5-9 junior, led the team in scoring last year, averaging 12.7 ppg (329 total), while adding 6.4 rpg, 1.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He also was a second-team All-District selection and All-PCL Honorable Mention pick. Dryer says Ott “can do some big things for his size, and can score in the post and rebound really well. He will fit great in our defensive scheme.”
Ritter, a 6-1 senior, averaged 11.7 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.7 spg, and was an All-District and All-PCL Honorable Mention selection. Ritter is a versatile player who Dryer says is “probably the most consistent shooter from behind the arc on the team. He will have to fill a void in the post this year, at least until some underclassmen develop. If he can dominate in the paint like I feel he can, we will have a huge year.”
Ratliff is a 5-7 junior who chipped in with 7.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.7 spg. He was selected as Honorable Mention All-District and All-PCL last season. He is athletic and fast, and never gets tired. Ratliff is one of the top cross country runners in the state and also qualified for state in track. Dryer says he is the team’s best on-ball defender, and has the ability to get to the basket on offense.
Weaubleau also returns: Paden Haryman (5-10 senior), Garrett Freeman (5-9 junior), Michael Conduff (6-0 sophomore), John Caulfield (6-1 sophomore), Tate Burkhart (5-9 sophomore), Cadan Kauffman (5-11 sophomore), who averaged 4.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 2 apg, Emmitt Stewart (5-9 sophomore) and Tucker Hilliard (5-10 sophomore).
Dryer has a stable full of newcomers eager to contribute.
Sam Rutherford (5-9 sophomore), a transfer from Fair Grove; Treyton Foster (5-11 freshman), a transfer from Skyline; Kaiden Gannaway (5-10 freshman); Chance Powers (5-8 freshman) and Perry Rucker (6-4 sophomore) will look to get some minutes.
“I love this group and the pieces we have,” Dryer said. “It sounds cliché, but we have a lot of up-side for our team this season. If we are willing to put forth effort and dedication all season long, this group has the ability to be a fun team to watch.”
The Tigers open their season on Nov. 30 in the Lockwood Tournament, and Dryer is confident.
“I think the pieces we have fit the things I like to do really well,” Dryer said. “We are still progressing, and I believe we will continue to do so. I think we will be a tough out by district time.”
