2020-21 Winter Preview: Thayer Boys Basketball

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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

District championships and postseason basketball have become the standard for the Thayer High School boys’ basketball team.

Expect that success to continue this season, as Thayer returns its full roster from a 22-win team.

“These guys have a great work ethic and desire to compete, which makes every practice and game a great experience,” said Thayer coach Matt Pitts. “(After) having to play so many young guys last season, we are all very eager to see how they have developed and matured.”

Thayer’s led by a lineup of multi-sport athletes.

Jayce Haven, the starting quarterback for the football team, leads a four-player senior class.

Haven, a 6’1” wing who was honorable mention all-conference last season, averaged 9.3 points and a team-high 3.9 rebounds per game along with 2.3 assists and two steals.

“He’s a great leader and very versatile,” Pitts said. “He’s a great defender and loves to compete.”

Juniors Jordan Andrews and Gaige Pitts are Thayer’s top returning scorers.

Andrews, an all-state selection, averaged a team-high 18.5 points per game plus 3.5 rebounds. He was the only sophomore named to the Class 2 all-state team.

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“He’s a great scorer and good athlete who can score from all levels of the court,” Matt Pitts said. “He has a very high skill level.”

Gaige Pitts returns as the team’s starting point guard. He averaged 10 points, three assists and three rebounds per game last season, earning him second team all-conference honors.

“He has a high basketball IQ, good (athleticism) and can score from all three levels,” Matt Pitts said. “He’s a good rebounder from the guard spot and can defend well.”

Landry Pitts also returns as a starter. He is a defensive anchor and a blue-collar worker. His high basketball IQ is an asset. He also brings strong perimeter shooting. Pitts averaged 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last year,

Along with Haven, Thayer returns three other letter-winners in its senior class with Levi Poulette, Jordan Madden and Ryan Parker.

Poulette is one of Thayer’s top shooters. Madden (6’1”) and Parker (6’3”) provide size, rebounding and athleticism around the basket.

Juniors Lane Grimes (5’11”) and Keaton Nicholson (6’4”) are also back in the varsity lineup. They averaged a combined 5.5 points and four rebounds as sophomores.

“Lane’s very athletic, a good shooter and plays much bigger than he is,” Matt Pitts said. “Keaton’s long, athletic and can score with good shooting touch.”

Thayer won its seventh straight district championship last season. The Bobcats (22-6 overall) also surpassed the 20-win mark for the fifth straight season.

After starting the season 5-3, Thayer ripped off an 11-game winning streak that stretched from January into February.

Thayer defeated Bernie 42-35 in the Class 2 District 2 Tournament finals.

The Bobcats would go on to lose 45-39 to Oran in the Class 2 sectional round.

Thayer heads into the 2020-21 season gunning for its first final four appearance since 2014.

Thayer will again lean on a defense that yielded just 43 points per game last season. Additional depth could help the Bobcats improve their scoring output (55 points per game).

“We will stress defense and rebounding as always,” Matt Pitts said. “Offensively, we will look to be a little more up-tempo. I think depth will be a plus for us, especially if our role guys adapt quickly to the varsity level.”

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