By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Be careful putting the “rebuilding year” label on the Blue Eye boys’ basketball team.
The Bulldogs are eager to prove doubters wrong and remain a contender in Class 2.
Blue Eye comes off a 19-win season and heads into 2020-21 with a young, hungry roster.
“Our success this season will again depend on how much we come together and develop both individually and as a team,” said Bulldogs coach Kyle Turner, who has gone 150-88 in his 12 seasons at Blue Eye. “We’ll focus on effort and competing on both ends of the floor, trying to improve each day.”
Blue Eye’s expected to have no seniors on its team this season.
The Bulldogs do return a pair of starters in juniors Lance Clark (6’1”) and Isaiah Mitchell (6’4”).
Clark averaged 4.8 points per game last season and will be one of Blue Eye’s top defenders this season.
“He’s a hard-nosed defender who plays with great energy,” Turner said. “He’s really worked hard this offseason to develop his offensive game.”
Mitchell is Blue Eye’s top returning scorer (7.7 ppg) and rebounder (4.8 rpg).
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“We expect Isaiah to have a larger role this season,” Turner said. “He has really worked hard to improve on both ends of the floor.”
New names contending for varsity minutes include juniors Ryan Cardenzana, Lucas Estes and Braden Boyd.
Cardenzana will play point guard. Estes and Boyd are also battling for playing time at guard.
Sophomore Devon Scates brings good athleticism to Blue Eye’s backcourt as well.
“Devon showed a lot of growth on both ends of the floor over the summer,” Turner said.
The Bulldogs finished 19-7 overall last season. Blue Eye, playing in a stacked district tournament that featured seven teams with winning records, pushed a 25-win Crane team to double overtime in the district semifinals before losing 42-41.
Blue Eye must replace a four-player senior class that made big contributions on the varsity level the past few years.
Guard Nathan Garnett was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Southwest Central League. The three-year starter was a sparkplug for the Bulldogs.
“His greatest value was the leadership he brought on and off the court,” Turner said. “The effort he brought to every game was contagious.”
Garnett is now playing at Evangel University in Springfield.
Forward Hayden Forester, a first team all-conference selection, played his best during the stretch run of Blue Eye’s season. He gave the Bulldogs a quality presence in the post.
“His ability to alter shots and rebound will be greatly missed,” Turner said.
Jake Reagan, a three-year starter and two-time all-conference honoree, played many roles for the Bulldogs.
“His versatility to play inside and out on both ends will be missed,” Turner said.
Blue Eye also graduated a key reserve in Ethan Pace.
Overall, the Bulldogs’ 2020 senior class accounted for 75% of the team’s scoring last season and won over 60 varsity games the past three years.
Blue Eye will look for additional depth from three sophomores: Logan Isbell, Trenton Newman and Jaden Weaver. Freshmen options include Braeden Johnson, Pablo Quintanilla and Colton Spinning.
Blue Eye opens the regular season November 24 at home against New Covenant Academy.
“Our philosophy will remain the same this season: No excuses, hard work, focusing on the process not the result and putting the team above the individual,” Turner said.
