By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
They’ve competed for back-to-back district championships, and the Aurora Houn Dawgs are still searching for postseason redemption.
“This group is hungry,” said Adam Thornhill, who led Aurora to a 16-win season and enters his sixth year as head coach. “We are experienced, returning over 60 points per game. They are an extremely committed, skilled team.”
Thornhill’s son, 6’1” junior Cannon Thornhill, had a big sophomore season as the team’s scoring, steals, free throw, and three-point leader. The all-Big 8 and all-district standout averaged 18.7 points per game and already has 722 career points. “He will be counted on to be a coach on the floor this year,” said Coach Thornhill.
Senior Cameron Whitener (5’9”) set a school record with 13 assists in a game and led the team in the season with 115 assists (4.1 apg). “He’s a pass first guard, exemplary at reading the floor and making the correct decision,” said Thornhill. Whitener added 6.7 points per game as well.
Thomas Lara, 6’0” junior, averaged 12.2 points and 4 rebounds per game and had 20-plus points in eight games last season. “He does a ton for us,” said Thornhill. “He’s a leader for us who day in and day out is our hardest worker and toughest dude.” Lara also earned all-district and all-conference honors.
Landon Boatwright leads the team in hustle plays, per his coach: deflections, blocks, dives on the floor, getting a loose ball, defensive rebounds and taking charges. The 6’2” senior averaged 9 points and 4.3 rebounds but increased his rebounds by almost 3 per game in the second half of the season. “He will be counted on to be a big-time defender and rebounder for us,” said Thornhill.
Senior Jayden Carpenter (6’3”) put up 7.5 points per game and led the team in two-point percentage. “He’s a strong forward, able to defend and score in the paint,” said Coach Thornhill.
Kaden Cole, 5’11”, and Casen Brown, 5’10”, each gained valuable experience to set them up for successful sophomore seasons. Coach Thornhill said each player is “a tremendous defender who never seems to get tired.”
Newcomers include Memphis Mooneyham, a 5’8” freshman strong guard “that has the ability to really speed the game up when needed,” said Thornhill. Sophomores Toa Yandall, 6’2,” and Grayson Fleetwood, 6’8”, are interior scorers and defenders who will contribute on the glass.
“Our goal is to create a valuable, enjoyable experience for all players,” said Coach Thornhill. “Through that, we will reach our true potential, which is very high. Our expectations are the same as every year: constant pursuit of improvement. We have a nice mix of several very experienced players with a few talented new faces. This group will be quick and capable of playing a very aggressive style on both ends.”
The Houn Dawgs will host a jamboree with Crane and Pierce City on November 22. They host Neosho December 10 in their home opener.
