By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For basketball junkies, the summer is typically a slower time in life, but The Basketball Tournament has helped provide some relief with former college and NBA stars having an avenue to regain the success of yesteryear through a winner-take-all tournament.
And, this year the tournament could have an Ozarks flavor with former local standout Jordan Epps putting together a cast of characters than have been some of Southwest Missouri’s biggest basketball stars over the last several years.
Throw in one of the biggest names in coaching from Springfield – current Oral Roberts associate head coach Rodney Perry – and you have the makings of a Disney movie.
Meet the Southwest Missouri Stars.
As the name implies, there is no shortage of punching power with this group.
“I decided to put together this team because I know we can compete with anybody,” said Epps. “I also think this would be a great platform to get some of the players seen by more scouts. It gives us a chance to represent for Springfield and Southwest Missouri.”
Now, you may remember Epps from his days at Nixa, helping guide Jay Osborne’s Eagles to the Class 5 Final Four in 2012. He then followed that up by earning Heart of America Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors, dropping 19.6 PPG at Missouri Valley College.
Epps ultimately wound up at Central Missouri, helping the Mules and Kim Anderson win a Division Two national championship in 2014.
Deven Mitchell (Kickapoo-Missouri State), Erik Durham (Parkview-Jacksonville State), Jalen Norman (Nixa-Evangel), Tate Unruh (Brason-Northern Colorado), Chris Ward (Kickapoo-Philander Smith), Tim Huskisson (Willard-Northern Colorado), Dane Watts (Creighton), Devonda Lewis (USC Salkehatchie) and Epps comprise the entire roster.
Mitchell was a key part on one of Missouri’s greatest high school teams ever assembled and has played overseas for the majority of the last decade. Durham was one of the nation’s best shooters in 2016-17 at Jacksonville State, even earning an NCAA Tournament bid. He now plays in Spain. Norman, Unruh, Ward and Huskisson were all major players locally as well.
Southwest’s Missouri’s most famous basketball name Anthony Tolliver will also be helping support the team, but he is ineligible to compete since he is on an NBA contract.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STARS
This past year Epps helped coach at Glendale and expects this team to play a similar high-octane brand of basketball should they advance to TBT.
“I think what makes Southwest Missouri basketball unique in general is there so much talent here at all levels that often over looked and different style of basketball at that all around,” said Epps.
“People can expect to see a lot of scoring and hardworking players. Everybody on the roster has the ability to score but also play with each other. We have players that are new to the pro scene, but we also have some vets that have been overseas and that can make a dangerous mix for anybody we face.”
But, in order for the Southwest Missouri Stars to make it to the 72-team field, they need help.
The nation is split into four regions (West-LA, South-Richmond, Midwest-Columbus and Northeast-New York City) with 18 teams being selected from each. The reigning champ gets an automatic bid, there are four slots available for purchase and four at-large teams selected. The other nine spots are determined by fan votes. The Super 16 is then played in Atlanta with the Final Four being housed in Baltimore.
It’s simple, support these guys and they’ll have a chance to play on ESPN.
“It would mean a lot to me and my teammates to get enough votes from the community,” Epps said. “It shows we have the community support and people believe in us. It gives the community a chance to be seen on the national level. And it’s always a plus that every voter has a chance to win some of the money if we win. We just have to have the opportunity.”
Overseas Elite has won each of the last three events, a group of Notre Dame alum won the inaugural event in 2014.
Bragging rights, money and exposure are all up for grabs in the tournament and Epps believes they have as good a shot as anyone to make a run.
“I 100% believe with these guys and group we can compete with anybody in country,” said Epps. “Having Coach Perry helps, he’ll have us ready to play.”
Fans can log their support online through June.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STARS
The field will be announced with the bracket revealed on June 6. Games will begin in July with the $2 million championship game being played on August 3 on ESPN.
