By Chris Parker
Dadeville boys basketball is a team on the rise going from seven wins two years ago to 14 wins last year. The Bearcats return many key players in a quest to win the program’s first district title since 2011.
“Last year we grew and matured a lot as a group both physically and mentally. We brought back nearly the entire team and really bought into the system and style that we wanted to play. This group was very talented in middle school and has been waiting their turn to do it at the high school level,” Dadeville head coach Curtis Collins said.
Carter Lakey was named first-team all-conference last year after he scored 12.9 points per game along with 3.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals. He has a shot to cross the 1,500-point milestone for his career this year.
“Carter’s speed and ability to get into the paint is a huge weapon for our offense. He makes plays for himself and others with his penetration,” Collins said. “His three-point shot has greatly improved since last year to a point that he has very few weaknesses in his offensive game. I expect leadership and focus from him as he enters his final year on the court.”
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Bailey McGill earned second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore. He was one of just three underclassmen to earn all-conference honors in the Polk County League. He scored 13.2 points per game and pulled down 5.4 rebounds per game last year.
Senior Austin Coonis and sophomore Luke Bushey have shown great improvement in the off-season.
“Austin Coonis has rounded out his game and added a lot of strength over the off-season. He’s one of the best shooters in the area and has added an ability to get to the rim and finish with strength. He had a very strong summer,” Collins said. “Luke has grown about two inches over the summer and become our tallest player. At 6’3 as a point guard/shooting guard, Luke gives us incredible versatility and shooting on the perimeter. He looks like he is ready to have a breakout season.”
Bushey (11.7 ppg) and Coonis (11.3 ppg) give Dadeville four returning players who averaged double figures last year.
Jacob King returns for his junior season after starting last year. He is the team’s lone senior. Caden Farmer is dealing with an injury, but will be a key player off the bench when he returns.
Freshman Aidan Jarman will look to make an immediate impact with strong three-point shooting.
“We are looking to build upon the defensive identity we established last season, surrounded by a team-first style offense that allows everyone a chance to contribute. Our four starting guards all averaged between 11 and 13 points per game last season, and that became our style of play that I believe will give us a chance to be a top team this year,” Collins said. “I believe in this group, and expect to see them compete for a top stop in our district.”
Dadeville opens the season on Nov. 20 at home against Lockwood.
