By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Springfield Central has turned to yet another Ozarks’ standout to take over the program, replacing Brandon Kimbrough with last year’s assistant Jordan Epps.
Epps is a familiar name in basketball circles, turning a great prep career at Nixa into an All-American selection at Missouri Valley and eventually a national championship at Central Missouri. Epps also spends his some with grassroots power Missouri Flight.
While this is his first head coaching job at the high school level, he’s hardly a rookie in the game and he plans on bringing a brand of basketball that fans will want to see and an environment players want to be in.
“The first thing as a coach I am looking to establish with the team is building a family atmosphere,” said Epps. “The culture has been changing in the right direction, so I want to take what is already there and create the brotherhood that it will take to be successful together. Fans can expect to see a high-paced offense. I believe our excitement will come from defense this year, bringing some grit, hard-nosed, high-energy 94 feet in your face defense.”
Central won’t be short on talent this year, returning three starters and seven lettermen from last year’s team. The biggest name of the returning crop is sophomore Antonio Starks-Fewell.
Starks-Fewell is one of the top sophomores in the state, earning the No. 7 spot in the Prep Hoops Missouri ranking for his class. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 14 per game as a freshman.
“What makes Antonio unique is the smooth, and crafty game he has,” said Epps. “He has the ability to guard anybody’s best player, while still being able to score at will. His change of gears are something I’ve only seen players at the next level have. He is explosive and can get to the rim and finish with the best of them.”
Sterling Vincent is also back for the Bulldogs after averaging 8 PPG last year. Epps loves what the 6-foot-4 athlete can bring on both ends of the floor.
“He’s a lengthy guard that can play 1-4, loves defense and added a lethal mid-range game over the summer that is hard to stop,” said Epps.
Tae’sean McShane and Jamarius Lawry are also back. “They will give a physical presence down-low with the ability to stretch defenses and cause mis-match problems,” said Epps.
Seniors Deverin King and Cole Hughes are two players that have made great strides during the offseason. “They are both returning varsity lettermen and seniors,” said Epps. “Hughes has shown leadership and took his game to the next level over the summer. Proving to be a knockdown shooter and holds several college offers after a great summer. While King has figured out his shot towards the end of last and stroke has not slowed down and he will be the heart of our defense.”
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Tyran Hendrix is another returning senior expected to play a lot for Central. He’s a point guard that facilitates well and knocks down open shots.
Epps is also excited about a pair of freshmen in Keion Epps and Bryce Walker. Epps is a point guard that can score and facilitate off the bounce. Walker is a 6-foot-6 big that will immediately add size and playmaking ability from the block.
Central Basketball is trying to reestablish itself in the Ozarks. The program has increased its win total in each of the last three seasons. Last year the Bulldogs lost seven games that came to the final three possessions. The foundation is settling, now it’s up to Epps and company to continue to take steps in the right direction.
That starts with competing in the Ozark Conference and for district championships consistently.
“We lost a lot of close games last year and that has the program hungry and ready for this season,” said Epps. “The OC will be tough like every year. I expect to see a lot of close games and exciting things from the OC. For Central it is going to come down to buying into the defensive end of the floor. I believe offense will take care of itself with the pieces we have. Using our speed and athleticism to make other teams uncomfortable will help us be successful this year.”
Central will join Fair Grove for a jamboree hosted by Marshfield before opening the 2021-22 regular season on Nov. 23 at Willard. The Bulldogs will open their home slate at The Pit on Dec. 10 against Branson.
