By Chris Parker
Plato boys basketball will have a huge hole to fill in the form of the graduated Grady Todd. Todd the Frisco League Co-Player of the Year and earned Class 2 All-State honors. He averaged 26.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game last year.
Several players will have to step up to fill his production.
“We lost a huge amount of scoring last season, so we need to learn to put the ball in the hole this year,” Plato head coach Michael Phillips said.
The junior trio of Levi Johnson (point guard), Case McClure (center) and Wyatte Cotrel (shooting guard) will be counted on for leadership.
“Levi has played varsity for two years now and we will need him to be the floor general for us. Case has also gotten a lot of experience and he will be our muscle around the basket this year. Wyatte is the guy who will fly around on the court making the hustle plays every possession. He never takes a play off,” Phillips said.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS
Johnson averaged 11.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game last year. Case averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Senior Lane Cotrel has put in the work this off-season to become more of an impact player.
“Lane has put up a lot of shots on the machine this summer and fall and I am proud of the work he has put in,” Phillips said.
Graham Todd also returns for his sophomore season.
Shay Todd, Bryce Casey and Lane Johnson will be new to the varsity team.
Phillips is still expecting a strong season even with the graduation of so much scoring.
“We will be better than people expect us to be,” Phillips said. “We will sneak up on some teams and finish in the top half of our conference.”
