2016-17 basketball preview: MV-BT/Liberty Boys

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By Amanda Perkins

After eight seasons as the head basketball coach at Missouri State University – West Plains, Yancey Walker takes over a 20-9 Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty boys’ basketball team from departing coach Rob Brown. The newcomer already likes what he sees.

“Speaking from my experience only, this transition has been outstanding because of the people,” said Walker. “The players come in ready to work, ready to listen, ready to get better and then ready to perform at a high level. The administration at Liberty is extremely supportive and understanding when it comes to having a successful athletics program. Anyone can see that by observing how well they treat people, along with seeing the continued successes of many of the academic and athletic programs at the school.”

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The Eagles ended last season with a loss in the district finals to SCA foe Mountain Grove, who went on to finish third in Class 3. Now Liberty brings back four players who averaged 7.5 points or more and will return 49 of the 65 points averaged per game last season.

Josh Pruett will step off the field as quarterback and transfer that athleticism to the court come November. The 6’1” senior put up 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and shot 44% from downtown last season. To date, he has 463 career points and stands to break the 500-point barrier quickly with his ability to attack the basket.

Mathew Coatney received postseason accolades after racking up 10.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. The 6’6” skilled shooting guard is likely to improve on those stats in his senior season.

Shalin Stout is the big guy in the paint at 6’8”, and he averaged 7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game last year as a sophomore.

Senior guard Brenton Bush is a gifted defender who brought 7.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game to the table last season.

Other contributors included Koel Orchard, 4.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and Devin Hedden, 3.2 ppg.

The Eagles lost Corbin Dewick to graduation. The four-spot player was a spark to the offense and the leading scorer who led Liberty with 16.7 points per game, plus six rebounds and 1.4 assists on 59 percent shooting.

To improve on last season, the team must cut down on turnovers, take more pride in rebounding and make free throws, according to Walker. He said his team wants to be in control of the game, changing the tempo if the game is too fast or slow. “We have the tools to be a team that is exceptional at playing defense and rebounding,” he said. “We will have an emphasis offensively on taking care of the basketball and executing at a high level.”

The team will start by striving to improve each day. “We have very good athletes who know how much work it takes to be at a championship level from their successes in other sports,” said Walker. “Physically, we have the tools to have a great season. As simple or cliché as it sounds, we want to go 1-0 on every game day.”

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