By Chris Parker
McDonald County boys basketball has all the pieces in place to make a run at the program’s first winning record since 2016 with six upperclassmen and two all-conference selections returning from last year’s eight-win team.
Senior Pierce Harmon earned second-team all-conference honors for his work at guard. He averaged 12.7 points per game.
“Pierce is a returning guard that plays hard and can be explosive on the offensive end,” McDonald County head coach Brandon Joines said. “His experience over the past three years makes him a leader on the floor and someone we can rely on in big moments. He was named to the all-district team as well last season.”
Fellow senior Eli McClain was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a junior on the strength of his 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
“Eli offers an intelligent presence with length on the floor that allows us to be creative a bit with defensive alignments and matchups,” Joines said. “Offensively, his touch around the basket and improved versatility at the forward spot make him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.”
Teddy Reedybacon and Cole Martin round out the returning senior players.
Reedybacon is a center who averaged 8.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“Teddy is a big man that gives us versatility that is difficult to guard and defensive rim protection,” Joines said. “His increased comfort level on the floor will be an important factor in our success. He held his own against solid competition over the summer, which has garnered some attention at the collegiate level.”
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Martin contributed across the board with 5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assist and 1.9 steals per game as a junior.
“Cole is a competitor by nature and everyone feeds off his ability to make plays on both ends of the floor,” Joines said. “He brings energy and hustle at all times and its leadership by example through outstanding work ethic. Cole was named to the all-district team last season.”
Juniors Cross Dowd and Sterling Woods round out the returning players for McDonald County.
Dowd is the team’s second-leading returning scorer. He averaged 11.4 points per game last season.
“Cross combines smart defensive play with excellent shooting touch to offer an extremely valuable piece of our team’s success,” Joines said. “His creativity on the offensive end makes him a tremendous asset to our program moving forward.”
Woods averaged 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last year.
“Sterling is an excellent guard with great court awareness that allows him to contribute to the success of everyone around him,” Joines said. “His scoring, ability to distribute, and improvements on the defensive end are going to be a key for our success moving forward.”
The junior trio of Dalton McClain, Weston Gordon and Isaac Behm will be newcomers to watch.
Joines on McClain: “Dalton is a tremendous shooter that can space the floor on the offensive end and provide solid production off the bench.”
Joines on Gordon: “Weston is a hustle and work ethic type player with competitive grit and goes hard every time he steps on the floor playing bigger than his size indicates.”
Joines on Behm: “Isaac provides solid length off the bench and is productive on both ends of the floor.”
Offensively, McDonald County should be cohesive. The defensive end will require consistent communication.
“Our experience level and scoring ability at all five spots make us a difficult team to defend when everyone is flowing offensively. Our ability to facilitate transition opportunities will be a key to our success,” Joines said. “Our communication and energy on the defensive end will need to be maintained for four quarters every night in order for us to compete and find success consistently.”
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McDonald County will travel to Neosho for a jamboree on Nov. 18 with Webb City and Neosho. McDonald County opens the regular season on Nov. 23 at home against Joplin.
“We bring back a core group of experienced players, who will combine with some solid new varsity contributors, as we compete for conference and district titles this season,” Joines said. “With length inside, solid guard play, and multiple shooting options, we have the pieces in place to make positive things happen for our program. Our work ethic, grit, and will-to-win must rise up to match the increased level of experience for the roster. The Big 8 Conference is always competitive with solid teams and coaching throughout, which means our mental and physical toughness and preparedness must be consistently elevated in order to accomplish our team goals.”
