By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There’s a reason Mike Wilson is a Hall of Fame coach and Willow Springs has experienced that first hand, seeing the program’s win total jump from eight the season before he arrived to 14, 16 and 19 in his first three seasons.
Willow Springs is now in position to have its first 20-win season since 2011, returning three starters in what will be Wilson’s first full cycle of Bears.
Seniors Owen Duddridge and Scottie Osborn both return as four-year starters. Duddridge, a 6-foot guard, led the team in scoring each of the last two years (14 PPG in 2020-21). Osborn, a 6-foot, 230lb post, has led Willow in rebounding for three straight seasons (12 PPG, 6.2 RPG in 2020-21).
Classmates Gannon McGinnis and Gabe Colvin also return after playing 23 games last season. McGinnis averaged seven and Colvin added four.
“Gannon is a two-year letterman that is a good shooter and great defender,” said Wilson. “Colvin will give us scoring and rebounding, as well as toughness.”
Senior Taftin Thompson (6-0), juniors Scooter Osborn (5-11), Taylor Rothermich (5-9), Ryan Koehler (6-0) and Ryan Friga (6-0), as well as freshman Jace Rodgers (5-10) will all see varsity minutes.
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“Taftin should give us depth off the bench,” said Wilson. “Scooter will give us another rebounder and some scoring. Plus he has a high basketball IQ. Taylor is a good shooter who will be our backup point guard. Koehler plays very hard and will give us good minutes off the bench. Friga should give us some scoring and rebounding.
“Jace has a chance to help us as a freshman this year. He is a very good shooter and a good athlete.”
As the Bears chase their first district championship in more than a decade one of the biggest keys – in addition to staying healthy – is the mental side of the game. Wilson has the program believing at a level that had been missing previously.
“Our expectations are higher,” said Wilson. “We feel we should compete in almost every game on our schedule. I expect more improvement and better leadership from both of them. We need to stay healthy and work harder from day one than we have in the past.”
Willow Springs will open the 2021-22 season on Dec. 3 at West Plains. The Bears home opener will come on Dec. 21 vs. Alton.
