2021-22 Winter Preview: Neosho Boys Basketball

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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Neosho finished with a 13-13 record last season, falling to Rogersville in the district championship.

Heading into his fourth season at the helm, head coach Cody Culp has seen steady improvements each year.

“I would say we probably met expectations, but we would have liked to accomplish more,” Culp said. “We played a lot of competitive games that came down to the wire and I think that will help our players coming back next year.”

A trio of graduated seniors depart the program in Landon Austin, Chase Flynn and Dalton Brodie.

While Austin will continue his basketball career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College this season, Culp will look to find replacements for the former Wildcat standout.

“It will be a big adjustment for our team not having [Austin] on the floor,” Culp said. “He would take over games offensively and make coaching a lot easier.”

A trio of talented returnees will lead the Neosho attack this season in Brock Franklin, Carter Fenske and Isaiah Green.

Franklin, a 5-foot-8 junior, averaged 3.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season.

“[Franklin] is going to be our point guard this year after starting all 26 games last year and lettering the last two,” Culp said. “He is also one of our best defenders and a bulldog on the court at all times. I expect him to be one of our leaders and our heartbeat on the floor.”

A 6-foot-1 junior, Fenske established himself as an efficient deep threat last season, averaging 5.7 points in limited minutes.

“[Fenske] was our best shooter last year,” Culp said. “He made 44 threes while only averaging 11 minutes per game. We expect him to have a big year offensively and expand on his role from last year.”

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Green, a 6-foot-1 junior, averaged 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals last season.

“One of our best all-around players,” Culp said of Green. “He not only fills up the stat sheet in all categories but also is one of our best defenders that usually guards the other team’s best player.”

6-foot senior Marcus Duncan and 6-foot-2 junior Kael Smith also return for Neosho.

“Marc will be our motor and energy guy,” Culp said. “We expect him to be a big-time rebounder and defender for us. Kael came on late last season and gave us a big spark. He is one of the most skilled big men we’ve had in a while and has a great feel for the game.”

Culp believes a trio of varsity newcomers could make significant impacts for the team this season.

Juniors Jared Siler (6-foot), Carter Baslee (6-foot-4) and Michael Day (5-foot-10) will all compete for varsity minutes on the floor.

“As a group, I think this is one of the most talented and deep rosters we have had in a long time,” Culp said. “This team is very competitive and wants to win, so our expectation is to go out and have a chance to win every game and let the win/loss record take care of itself.”

With plenty of emerging talent on the roster, Culp believes his team will be deep enough to quickly adapt to in-game situations as the season progresses.

“Our biggest strength will be our depth and offensive versatility,” Culp said. “We will have a true point guard surrounded by playmakers, shooters and some big post players. Our hope is to be able to score more points than we have in the past.”

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Neosho’s depth will also allow Culp to push the pace this season, something largely absent in previous campaigns.

“In the years’ past, we wanted to slow the game down and grind it out and win with our stout defense, but this year with us being a little more deep, we will plan on upping the possessions in the game,” Culp said. “We will still be focused on defense but will encourage quicker shots on offense and higher tempo on both ends.”

Following a Nov. 18 home jamboree with McDonald County and Webb City, Neosho will open its season Dec. 2 at Aurora.

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