2017-18 Winter Preview: Monett Boys Basketball

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By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Not too long ago the Monett Cubs were a near 20-win team and in the upper echelon of the Big 8 Conference. After losing seven key players to graduation two years ago, the 2016-17 season was a rebuilding year, finishing with an overall record of 3-23 (1-6 in Big 8 play).

Fast forward a year later, the Cubs welcome back the majority of their team from last winter, returning a whopping eight lettermen that include four starters.

However, that is at the expense of losing Big 8 All-Conference Honoree Alex Turner and Tommy Sangston to graduation, though.

“Alex was a two-year starter for us,” head coach Jeremy Land said, who enters his fifth season at the helm for Monett. “His physical presence along with his inside scoring and rebounding will be missed.

“Tommy did a great job coming off the bench for us last year and always provided leadership. His contributions will be missed.”

On a positive note, junior Gavin Carr (5-foot-10) headlines a veteran-laden group of returnees after averaging 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game last season.

“Gavin does a little bit of everything for us,” Land said. “He had a solid first year of varsity basketball. I look for him to take a big step forward this year.”

Senior Garrett Tharp (5-foot-9) and junior Jackson Spencer (5-foot-6) will accompany Carr, chipping in 7.2 and 7.0 points per game last year, respectively.

Both are expected to pick up offensively and step up defensively on the hardwood this winter.

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“Garrett had a good year shooting from three last year,” Land said. “We look for him to continue to stretch the defense for us. Jackson plays with a ton of energy and is a competitor. He will continue to set the tone for us defensively this year.”

Rounding out the returnees includes seniors Cameron Johnson (6-foot-5), Zach Blevins (6-foot-3), and Jedd Anderson (5-foot-9).

Johnson averaged 3.5 points per game last year, accumulating five rebounds and two blocks as one of the primary rim protectors. Land said he will need to take a step forward with his scoring this year.

Land added, “Every team needs a tough, junkyard dog type of player and Zach is that for us. He competes every possession, and our team loves his effort. Jedd is a coach on the floor for us. He is a great communicator and plays with great effort,” the coach concluded.

Clayton Kaiser also will be relied upon this winter after playing spot minutes as a sophomore. He will be looking to become a consistent threat from beyond the arch for the Cubs.

Seniors Jake Bouchard (5-foot-9) and Jordan Peterson (5-foot-9) while juniors Alim Miftari (6-foot-3) and Alex Parra-Navarro (5-foot-8) all will fight for varsity minutes. Not only that, sophomores Trevon Price (6-foot-0), Zack Swoboda (5-foot-9), Juan Cavazos (5-foot-10) and Junior Villa (5-foot-11) make up the rest of the newcomers expected to vie for varsity time.

“I am blessed to work with a great group of young men who play with great effort,” Land said. “We have a group of young men who want to continue to take our program in the right direction. Last year was a growing year. They understand the system and know what is expected of them.

“We had a great summer and want to continue to take a step forward this year. We will look to get better consistency from our scorers on the offensive end. Defensively, we will show multiple looks and try to keep the offense off balance.”

Monett opens the season at Eldorado Springs on December 4.

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