By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A school known more for its prowess on the gridiron, the Lamar Tigers are locked and reloaded on the hardwood as they look for continued brilliance this winter following a 20-7 2015-16 season (7-1 in Big 8 Conference play).
They will do so with a new face at the helm. Tyler Ryerson will be taking the head coach reins at Lamar, looking to top a district runner-up showing after a heartbreaking, last-second loss to East Newton in the finals.
Remarkably, the Tigers will lose only one starter and five lettermen, but return four starters along with a whopping ten lettermen. Among the graduations will be the loss of point guard Nick Ray, who is now running track collegiately at Pitt State Unversity.
“Nick is an exceptional athlete and leader,” Ryerson said. “He started every game at point guard and was a true leader. Nick will be tough to replace.”
However, Lamar returns 53.6 of its 63.2 points per game last year, including leading scorer Sam Timmons. Timmons, a 6-foot-5, senior, averaged 16.4 points per game while grabbing 7.7 boards as a junior last year. He also claimed 1st-team All-Conference and All-District honors.
“Sam took a huge leap last year,” Ryerson said. “His athleticism sets him apart from every other big man. He can score on the block or out on the floor.”
In addition, the Tigers will see the return of two more double-digit scorers in Luke Hardman and Trey Mooney. Hardman, a 6-foot-0, senior, posted 10.5 a game with 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Mooney, a 6-foot-4, senior, scored 10.6 points a game with 3.1 rebounds. Both were second team all-conference honorees last season.
“Luke is a great all-around athlete,” Ryerson said. “He can shoot it relentlessly, get to the basket, and can rebound with the bigs.
“Trey is another all-around athlete, who loves to compete. He is very energetic and can score in bunches.”
Other possible contributors include Ian Moore (6-foot-1, junior, 6.3 points per game, 2.0 rebounds); Anthony Wilkerson (5-foot-10, senior, 4.1 points per game, 2.3 rebounds); Matt Whyman (5-foot-11, senior, three points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and three assists); Michael Danner (6-foot-1, junior, 2.7 points per game and 2.2 assists).
Ryerson described Moore as the best pure shooter off the catch and dribble, who has focused on his defense over the summer. He noted Wilkerson wants to guard the best player on the other team every game and said Whyman is a very smart kid, who is a heady player and unselfish. Ryerson said Danner made a jump this past summer and can play the 1-4 on offense and defense.
Top newcomers include juniors Stuart McKarus (6-foot-0) and Cooper Lucas (6-foot-0). Stuart is said to be a smart player, who plays under control the whole game. Ryerson said Lucas is a physical inside player, who is back in basketball after taking off last year.
“We have a very athletic and deep group coming back,” Ryerson said. “Our goal is to pressure the ball and push the pace to use our depth to an advantage. We practice at a very quick pace and during games we preach a very aggressive approach both offensively and defensively.”
Lamar opens the season at the Dennis Cornish Classic in Lockwood, MO starting Dec. 1. They begin regular-season play against Webb City on Dec. 6. and have circled the Jan. 10. matchup on the schedule against East Newton after the loss in the district championship last year.
