2016-17 basketball preview: Plato Boys

plato-boys

By Amanda Perkins

The Plato Eagles brought home five conference victories last season and ended with a 16-12 record after facing the Hartville Eagles, the eventual Class 2 state champions, in the district semi-final game.

Rick Supancic said his team graduated four and will return just one starter, but the team is laden with upperclassmen who have some varsity experience.

Returning at point guard is Wesley Wilson, a senior who earned all-conference honors last season. Joining him will be Caden Wyatt, a senior guard who is strong, speedy, and a great defender. Standing at six-foot, Jacob Supancic is a senior who has the potential to be a great scorer and is skilled in defense. Outside threat Kyle Jenkins (6’1”) is also a senior. Rounding out the senior class is Seth Thomas, a quick guard who can shoot well and also defend.

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Junior Ty Humphrey will be asked to handle the role of big man. At 6’3,” he is a strong player who has potential. Cain Couch, 6’0” junior, is athletic and a great scorer.

Matthew Daniels and Caeden Hathaway are both sophomores and quick, clever defenders. Their classmates Clay Atterbury (6’0”) and Gaven Vaughan will help with guard positions.

Newcomers include sophomore Marshall Pittman, a 6’1” sophomore who can shoot and has potential in spreading the floor, and Jack Morrison, a 6’0” sophomore and athletic player who can score and rebound well. Grady Todd is the lone freshman, a 6’1” post player with potential to score inside.

The team graduated four seniors. James Sponsel (10 ppg, 5.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists), was an all-conference, all-district and MBCA Academic All-State player and one of two major scorers and rebounders for the team. Wyatt Koehler was the defensive captain who usually guarded the best offensive player on the opposing side. Joel Pittman (7.6 ppg, 4 rebounds per game) had an inside presence that will be missed. Gage Crews added 9.5 points per game and was a reliable shooter and scorer. “Sponsel, Koehler, Pittman and Crews played a big role in our success last year,” said Supancic.

While they lack returning starters, the Eagles do have seasoned players. “We do have a bunch of talented and hard-working players that did play several minutes last year,” said Supancic. “They had a decent summer and will be a year stronger, faster, and smarter.”

The Plato Eagles will begin a run at the Frisco League Conference championship with their season opener November 22nd at Norwood.

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