2022-23 Winter Preview: Willow Springs Boys Basketball

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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Change is coming for the Willow Springs Bears this season, both on the court and sidelines.

The Bears will have four new starters in their lineup, and a new head coach calling the shots.

Dustin Forrest, formerly an assistant coach in the program, takes the helm this season.

“We will still base everything on the goal of outworking every team we play,” Forrest said. “One of the biggest takeaways I had from learning under (former head coach) Mike Wilson was that the kids must play hard.

“He always preached that if we play as hard as we can, good things will happen. I plan on continuing that.”

It’s the first head coaching stint for Forrest, who is also an assistant principal at the school.

Before the coaching change became official, the Bears already knew this season would require a different approach.

“We obviously have some holes to fill from last year’s team, but I feel like our guys are up for the challenge,” Forrest said. “Our guys will play hard every night and I feel like by the end of the year, we will be a very competitive team in conference play and districts.”

Scooter Osborn, a 6’1” forward, is the lone returning starter and will lead the way for the Bears.

Osborn earned all-conference honorable mention after averaging six points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a junior last season.

“We’ll need him to do the bulk of the scoring this year,” Forrest said. “For an inside guy, he can really shoot the ball well and is very crafty when he gets the ball inside. He is a great leader that works hard and wants to win.”

Senior Ryan Koehler was an ace off the bench last season. He’ll look to make a bigger impact with more playing time.

“Ryan is one of the best athletes in the school. He is a three-sport guy and does well in all of them,” Forrest said. “He’s ready to step it up and become someone we go to for offense, along with using his athletic ability to guard the other team’s best guy.”

Seniors Taylor Rothermich and Ryan Friga are two more returning reserves battling for increased varsity roles this season.

Both are multi-sport athletes who bring toughness and intensity to the team.

“Taylor plays really physical and causes problems on defense,” Forrest said. “He will need to do all those things again this year for us to be successful.

“Ryan played in most of the games last year and pitched in on doing what he does: rebounding. We look for him to take a step up this year and bring some scoring to the table.”

Forrest felt encouraged by what he saw from the Bears during the offseason.

“We actually have decent depth on varsity, with some younger guys really stepping it up over the summer and proving they belong at the varsity level,” Forrest said. “Our upperclassmen do a pretty good job of knowing the expectations we have.

“I feel like the younger guys will follow their lead and do just fine. If we get to where we need to be on the defensive end, our offense will follow.”

The Bears come off one of the best seasons in school history.

Willow Springs, under veteran coach Mike Wilson, finished 22-6 overall and reached the Class 4 state quarterfinals.

The Bears secured their first district championship in 14 years by defeating Hollister in the Class 4 District 11 finals.

The Bears graduated four seniors from their 2022 squad: Owen Duddridge, Scottie Osborn, Gannon McGinnis and Gabe Colvin.

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All four earned all-conference honors and were multi-year starters on varsity.

Duddridge was a four-year starter at point guard. Osborn, another four-year starter, dominated in the post.

“Owen was a great shooter and great teammate. It will be hard to replace him,” Forrest said. “Scottie did so many things for our teams over the last four year. If the ball was near him, he got it. He’s a great teammate and leader.”

McGinnis and Colvin were the “glue” guys who gave Willow Springs toughness and intangibles.

“Gannon was a great, scrappy defender who guarded the other team’s best guy most nights,” Forrest said. “Gabe was a strong player who played both inside and outside for us. Every good team needs that player who isn’t afraid to be physical and do whatever it takes. That was Gabe.”

With four starting spots and key reserve roles up for grabs, the Bears will turn to a handful of newcomers and returnees to contribute.

Sophomore Jace Rodgers, who saw limited varsity action as a freshman, was one of the team’s most improved players this offseason.

“He put in major work throughout the summer and has really blossomed into a force on the court,” Forrest said. “Jace is going to be asked to do a lot for us this year. I expect him to do big things on both ends of the floor and become one of our main leaders.”

Another sophomore, Braxton Wilbanks, offers great upside with his 6’4” frame and versatile skills.

“With his height he is hard to handle inside and then outside he is a very good 3-point shooter,” Forrest said. “After the summer he had for us, I think Braxton will be in the mix to help us out from the start.”

The senior duo of Matt Miller and Garit Spence will look to contribute as well. Forrest praised Miller’s work ethic, saying “Matt will set the tone on going hard every day in practice.”

Spence, a four-year player in the Willow Springs program, also brings a diligent attitude and is a “true example of commitment,” Forrest said.

Freshman guard Kolby James has an advanced skill set and basketball IQ for his age.

“Kolby handles the ball very well and sees the floor like an upperclassman,” Forrest said. “There is a good chance that Kolby will find himself in the mix for us from the get-go.”

Willow Springs will play in a three-team jamboree on Nov. 15 against West Plains and the hosting school, Norwood.

The Bears will play their season opener Nov. 26 at the Current River Shootout, followed by games in the Strafford Invitational Tournament Nov. 28 to Dec. 3.

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