By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Clever basketball took a big step forward last season.
Following a nine-win campaign the previous year, the Bluejays compiled a 14-13 record in 2020 before falling to eventual champion Pierce City in the district semifinal.
A challenging schedule should continue to pay dividends, according to head coach Luke Brosius, entering his ninth year at the helm.
“We had an up and down year a little bit but the schedule was very difficult as well,” Brosius said. “This is our third year in the Mid Lakes conference, so we are still in the midst of creating new rivalries. We still play Crane from the SWCL — that was one of our biggest rivals — and Fair Grove and Strafford have become bigger games as well over the past five years or so.”
While Clever loses a pair of talented graduated seniors in Taylor Genzler (15 ppg, 8 rpg) and Blaze Akins, it returns a talented roster full of veteran leadership.
Brosius also believes that the addition of varsity football for the first time this season will only help strengthen his team’s overall toughness and competitive nature.
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“I think the first thing you look at when you look at your teams year in and year out is your seniors,” Brosius said. “We have some guys that bring some experience and toughness to our team. Over half of our top 15 players played football, and I really do believe that will help their competitiveness and toughness in basketball.”
The Bluejays will be led by a quintet of returning upperclassmen this season in Jake Twigg, Bryce Gelle, Grant Pellham, Jeke Tennis and Kadeon Broome.
Jake Twigg (SR, 5-foot-7, 10.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.1 spg)
“Jake was our starting point guard last season and played varsity the last half of his sophomore season as well,” Brosius said. “His ability to break down another team and get to the basket and make the right read was vital to our success. I have been fortunate to have been able to coach some great point guards in my time here at Clever, and I believe that he could go down as another great one.”
Bryce Gelle (SR, 6-foot-2, 12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.7 spg)
“Bryce has become our best pure shooter and looked very smooth in that role this past summer and last year,” Brosius said. “Bryce handles the ball well and has a great basketball IQ. He should be one of our leading scorers again.”
Grant Pellham (JR, 5-foot-11, 9.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg)
“Grant is a very good athlete with great speed and a high motor,” Brosius said. “He finishes well around the basket in spite of the fact that he is not one of the tallest guys out there. He became one of our best defenders and a guy that did a lot of the little things for us that are necessary for us to win.”
Jake Tennis (SR, 6-foot-4, 2.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
“Jake has good size and athletic ability,” Brosius said, “He could be a glue guy for our team and someone that should bring great energy to us game in and game out.”
Kadeon Broome (SR, 6-foot)
“Kadeon is a very physical player and is a solid defender for us,” Brosius said. “He does a lot of the intangibles that are necessary for every team to be good.”
Clever will also benefit from a host of varsity newcomers this season.
Justin Allman, Kolton Adkins, Corbin Allie, Kendon Pate and Bryce Friend are all expected to compete for varsity playing time.
With plenty of depth and senior leadership, Brosius believes the Bluejays are poised to not only be competitive this season, but endure the constant stress of uncertainty, as well.
“I am excited and hopeful for this upcoming year,” Brosius said. ”Covid obviously brings a new twist to everything, but you have to do your best to drown out those thoughts of what could happen. We have a senior dominant group of young men that have been successful at several different levels of their athletic careers. Every year we have our sights set on winning a district championship and putting ourselves in a position to play for something special at the end. This year is no different.”
To navigate a difficult conference and district schedule, Brosius believes Clever’s defensive effort will take center stage and set the tone for the team’s postseason potential.
“Solid team defense will be pivotal to our success,” Brosius said. “I believe we will have one of the best defensive groups that we have had in a long time with several kids that will really get down and work on that end. We believe our unselfish play and family type of atmosphere that we embrace will bring us closer together and help us through the challenges we will face this season.”
Clever opens its season Nov. 24 at East Newton.
