2021-22 Winter Preview: Purdy Boys Basketball

img_2896-14

Purdy boys has a new head coach in Heath Carmichael this season. This is Carmichael’s first head coaching job. He was an assistant under Luke Brosius at Clever last year. Prior to that he played four years at College of the Ozarks.

Carmichael jumped at the chance to build his own program.

“The opportunity to take over as the head coach and to build my own program played a large part in my decision. Coach Brosius at Clever knew my heart was looking for a head job and he, along with other coaches around the area spoke very highly of Purdy and what they had to offer. I knew coming in they were a program that graduated a lot of the production from a year ago,” Carmichael said.

All three of Purdy’s all-conference selections from last season’s team that finished 16-6 and led Purdy to a district title game graduated. Replacing the production of those graduated players will be the biggest focus in the early going.

“This year after a large group of senior leaders have graduated, we are still looking for who can and will take over that/those leadership roles,” Carmichael said. “Senior Eli Webb has been a vocal leader throughout the summer and fall. I encourage all of our kids to be leaders in one way or another. Whether they are freshman or seniors, they all have the opportunity to lead. Different guys may be in different leadership roles on different days, but in the end everyone within our program all has one common goal in mind. It may not always be as a vocal leader, but leading by example in practice, drills, etc.”

Jesus Aldava is the lone returning starter from last year’s team. He averaged 5.7 points per game.

“Jesus is a very athletic, high IQ guard who has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor,” Carmichael said. “Jesus avg. 5.7 ppg a season ago as a role player, but this year we look forward to Jesus to be a leader for us on the offensive and defensive end. He has the ability to shoot the basketball while also being a threat off the dribble.”

DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID

Webb saw consistent varsity action last year.

“Eli Webb is another returner from last year’s group who saw consistent varsity action,” Carmichael said. “Eli has been one of our more vocal leaders so far, and we look for him to continue to fill that role for us. Eli is a guy who has the ability to stretch the floor for us and shoot the basketball. At times Eli will find himself playing out on the perimeter for us and depending on lineups, playing inside in the post for us. He is another high IQ guy whose production we look to improve on both ends of the floor.”

Ezequiel Garcia is a junior guard who played about 15 minutes per game last year.

“Zeke is a strong, physical, athletic guard who has the ability to shoot the basketball and impact the game on the defensive end,” Carmichael said. “Zeke is a guy whose energy and tenacity feeds off to others. Zeke will be a guy who plays off the ball at times, as well as will see the ball in his hands at times too.”

Jake Young (junior guard), Daxton Henry (junior post), Travis Hughes (junior guard) and Carter Keeling (freshman guard) are all looking to be a part of the varsity rotation.

Carmichael on Young: “Jake Young will be another valuable piece for us stepping into the varsity scene this year. Jake is another athletic guard who will we look to have handle the ball a lot for us this year. Jake is a physical guard who finishes well around the rim and we will look for opportunities to put him in situations to score around the basket. He has the ability to shoot it as well.”
Carmichael on Henry: “Daxton Henry will also be making the leap to the varsity level. Dax is a 6’8” big who we look to be effective on both ends of the floor. We look for Dax to guard the paint for us on the defensive end and score around the basket for us offensively. He has the ability to impact the game in more ways than one.”
Carmichael on Hughes: “Travis Hughes is coming up from JV level. He is a quick physical guard who will look to make his biggest impact on the defensive end.”
Carmichael on Keeling: “Carter Keeling has the ability to earn significant varsity minutes as a freshman. He has the ability to shoot and score the basketball. We look for Carter to be able to space the floor for us offensively and be a consistent shooter for us.”

Hunter Lee (sophomore), Will Henderson (freshman) and Angel Perez (senior) are all hunting for varsity minutes.

“Our greatest strength this year I feel like will be our versatility offensively and especially defensively. We have a handful of athletic, physical guards who have the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor as well as size on the interior. We will look to use our athleticism and physicality on the defensive end. This group has the pieces to be special defensively and we will pride ourselves on the defensive end of the floor,” Carmichael said. “For us to find success this season we will have to pride ourselves on the defensive end and be consistent on that end of the floor. Offensively, we will have to take pride in valuing the basketball and limiting our turnovers. We have offensive and defensive minded goals and if we are able to meet those goals on a consistent basis, we have the opportunity to find success this year.”

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

Carmichael will look to instill a hard-working identity in this program.

“Our team’s identity this year will be focused on grit, hardworking, and being a hard-nosed bunch. Our team motto this year is #ItTakesWhatItTakes. If we buy into the mentality of what can I do to help us win and focus on the little things, and being detail oriented, we have a chance to be successful,” Carmichael said.

Purdy travels to McAuley Catholic on Nov. 15 for a jamboree with College Heights, Sarcoxie and McAuley Catholic. The Eagles open the regular season Nov. 20-24 at the Verona Tournament.

“We will be junior and senior heavy with a couple of underclassman mixed in, but other than a couple guys we will be inexperienced at the varsity level,” Carmichael said. “I am very hopeful for this season and for the potential this group has. I hope we are able to surprise some people and go out and compete each and every night.”

Related Posts

Loading...