2016-17 basketball preview: Bolivar Boys

037a3204

Bolivar came up short of its goal of returning to the final four last season when the Liberators fell to Raytown South in the sectional round.

This year, Bolivar has to replace six graduated seniors in Johnny Scott, Bryce Krueger, John Michael Cates, Case Jones, Anthony McClellan and Keaton Larimore. That quartet combined for 52.2 percent of the scoring, 45.1 percent of the rebounding and 56.2 percent of the assists a year ago.

“For two years we didn’t have to really discuss things like effort or how to compete to win.  We always say be a good teammate, play as hard as you can, and have a winning attitude.  Those guys didn’t just begrudgingly do that, they embraced it and made for a winning culture,” Bolivar coach Robby Hoegh said. “We told those guys last spring at our banquet that their impact and contributions did not end last year.  They have impacted all future teams, not because they won 50 games in two years or went to a final four, but because of who they were, and what they stood for.”

Fortunately for Hoegh, he returns two strong senior leaders in all-stater Brandon Emmert and Conley Garrison.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

Emmert is one of the area’s most productive big men. He led Bolivar in points (17.5), rebounds (7.8) and blocks (1.4) as a junior.

“Brandon makes the game easier for everyone else,” Hoegh said. “He draws double teams and a lot of attention.  He also is active on the offensive glass.  The attention he gets allows us to get a defense rotating.”

This year, Emmert will have to shoulder even more of the load and expand his game.

“We expect Brandon to have another great year.  He will be asked to utilize more of his perimeter skills this year, but we know Brandon will be productive statistically,” Hoegh said. “We are excited to see him help set an example of what it means to compete at a high level and how he makes his teammates better.”

The senior post player will continue his career at the University of Central Missouri next year, but before that he has a chance to rewrite the Liberator record book. He is third on the all-time scoring list with 1,379 points, which is 570 away from all-time leader Preston Guiot. He is second on the all-time list in rebounding with 690, which is 185 away from all-time leader Scott Brakebill.

Conley Garrison is back to key things from the point a year after averaging 9.5 points and a team-high 4.3 assists per game.

“Conley is like a coach on the floor, mature in his leadership, and his communication.  With the guys we have we may need Conley to be more of an energy guy, (and) just (be) cognoscente of his teammates making sure our energy and effort is at the level we need it to be,” Hoegh said. “For the last two years we have had players who competed hard on a nightly basis, and it was something that was kind of ingrained in them, part of their being.  We are going to need to cultivate that trait a little more with this group, and I think Conley can really help in doing that.”

Hoegh has a host of returning players that will fight to fill out the starting lineup and rotation. Seniors Jack Pitts (6’5), Hunter Jones (6’3) and Hayden Lewright (6’3) will help add some size to the Bolivar rotation.

Hoegh also has a strong junior class with Corey Spindler (6’3), Kyler Murphy (5’11), Mason Payne (6’4) and Deacon Banner (5’10).

Sophomore Ian Jones (6’0) will see some time at point guard to help Garrison play off the ball for stretches.

Back-to-back district titles have the Liberator program seeing what hard work can produce.

“Having the success we enjoyed  the last two years does  instill a belief in what working hard at something can do, as well as the realization that making sacrifices is worth the memories that are created,” Hoegh said. “Our players have a level of commitment to do what is necessary in order keep getting better.  We constantly tell our kids that you can’t always control and get the outcome you want as far as winning and losing, but you can always work as hard as you can, enjoy your teammates, and continually strive to maintain a great attitude even in adversity.”

After two years heading to the Northeast, Bolivar moves back into a district of all Southwest Missouri schools with Hillcrest, Rogersville, Marshfield, Reeds Spring and West Plains.

“Our district is a tough one, and honestly it doesn’t matter where your district is or who is in it, winning one  is  a tall order,” Hoegh said.

Related Posts

Loading...