By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2016-17 Mt. Vernon High School boys’ basketball team peaked at the right time.
The Mountaineers used a challenging non-conference schedule and strong senior leadership to make a run at the program’s second district title in three years.
Entering the Blue and Gold Tournament in late December – where they began their turnaround by going 3-1 – the Mountaineers sat 2-6 overall.
“I think our early season schedule helped prepare us for the Big 8 and district play,” said Mountaineers coach Mike Ray. “Our two seniors last year really embraced their role as senior leaders and the other guys showed steady improvement. It is our hope that we can replicate that formula this year but it will be difficult without those two guys.”
Those “two guys” were Brett Campbell (17 points per game, 6 rebounds per game) and Jarrett Massie (17 ppg, 4 rpg), who were All-Big 8 selections and Mt. Vernon’s top two scorers.
They led the Mountaineers to a 16-12 overall record last season and a share of the Big 8 championship. Mt. Vernon’s season ended with a double-overtime loss to Lamar in the Class 3 District 12 championship game.
Overall, Mt. Vernon won 14 of its final 20 games.
But Campbell and Massie have graduated, leaving a production void to fill.
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Kyle Bushman, a 6’8” senior, showed promise and defensive prowess last season. He averaged seven points and nearly three blocks per game.
Ray hopes to see improved rebounding numbers for his big man this season.
“Last year was the first year where Kyle had been healthy all season and by the end he was a major contributor for us defensively,” Ray said. “We need him to increase his scoring output and become a force for us on the boards.”
Point guard Kelly Vaughn (5 ppg) earned All-Big 8 Honorable Mention as a sophomore last season.
“He led our team with almost six assists per game,” Ray said. “We need him to run our team and look to increase his scoring load.”
Seniors Ty Boswell and Cale Cornell will again see significant varsity action.
Boswell (5 ppg, 4 rpg) is one of the team’s top all-around defenders. Cornell flashed double-figure scoring potential last season.
“We need (Ty) to be a leader for us on defense. With his athletic ability, he can guard multiple positions and we expect him to be a dominant rebounder,” Ray said. “Cale came off the bench last year and averaged three points per game but also had multiple games of double figures. This year we need his shooting and defense to be consistent. He has worked very hard this offseason.”
Chance Fenton, Chase Brashers, Cale Miller and Mason Ballay are among the new names competing for varsity playing time.
“All four of these guys will be needed to contribute on the varsity level this year,” Ray said.
Early on this season, Ray will have his eye on Mt. Vernon’s team defense and rebounding, two areas Campbell and Massie excelled.
“I hope with our balance and depth we can become a better defensive team.,” Ray said. “We also will need to learn our roles on the team and shot selection.”
On the other hand, Ray’s eager to see how Mt. Vernon performs without two definitive go-to scorers.
“Our biggest strength will be balance as we have multiple guys who can step up for us and we (won’t) be as reliant on one or two scorers as we were last year,” Ray said. “I think the team chemistry will be good with this group as they have gone through many battles together.”
Mt. Vernon opens the season at the Clever Tournament (Nov. 27 – Dec. 2). The Mountaineers will also compete in the Arvest Bank Invitational (Ark.) (Dec. 7-9) and the Blue and Gold Tournament (Dec. 26-29).
The 2017-18 season marks the final school year for the current Big 8 alignment.
