By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Willard boys basketball team found itself on the wrong side of too many close finishes last winter.
The Tigers finished 12-15 in their first season in the new-look Central Ozark Conference, with those narrow losses becoming lessons for a team determined to avoid a similar fate this time around.
“We did not finish a handful of games last year that would have made our season look a lot different – and I think our returning guys know that and want to be better this season,” Tigers coach J.J. Adamson said. “Our tournament and schedule is going to give our program that opportunity right from the jump and I think we are looking forward to being in those same late-game, high-leverage situations again to measure our improvement.”
Knowing those scenarios can define seasons, the Tigers spent much of the offseason focused on the intangible skills that turn good teams into elite ones.
“We really focused on our program’s ability to handle adversity,” Adamson said. “How each of us handle adversity – both individually and collectively – will impact our lives far beyond the realm of basketball. If we can help our players learn to face adversity as an opportunity rather than with a victim mentality, it will stick with them and help them to be successful long after their high school careers come to an end.”
The Tigers will face their first test almost immediately, as they must first find a way to replace the seven seniors – and three starters – that graduated with the Class of 2025.
“There are minutes that need to be filled,” Adamson said. “Our coaching staff is excited to see who steps up and takes control of their high school careers.”
Answering that challenge will fall first to returning starters Jonathan Huskisson Jr. and Nahmy Kelley, who will provide some stability amidst the roster turnover.
The seniors put up virtually identical stat lines last year, with Huskisson averaging 9.8 points and 4 rebounds.
“He has started for us since his sophomore season and his experience will be vital,” Adamson said. “Jonathan is an excellent anticipator of the basketball and extremely quick off of the bounce. We will look to him for positive leadership and ask him to continue to be one of the best rebounding guards in the area.”
Kelley was right behind him, contributing 9.5 points and 3.7 boards a night.
“Nahmy can be a matchup nightmare because of his size and shooting ability,” Adamson said. “He is an excellent shooter and can take over a game when he gets into the flow. We will challenge Nahmy to bring a defensive intensity to this year’s squad and ask him to hunt more rebounds.”
Classmates Jude Wallace, Colbee Mowell and Carson Foster will also provide veteran leadership. Wallace and Mowell appeared in all of Willard’s games last winter, while Foster will be looking to secure a full-time varsity role.
Adamson on Wallace: “Jude is a high-IQ guy who will be tasked with running our team this season. He will be an extension of the coaching staff on the floor, and we will look to him for in game leadership. Jude is a clutch player who has hit multiple big shots for our program, and we will turn to him in crunch time to get everyone where they are supposed to be.”
Adamson on Mowell: “Colbee has excellent length (6-foot-6) and athleticism, and we will need him to be a force around the rim and in transition offensively. Defensively, our coaching staff will ask him to focus on controlling the glass and applying pressure on interior shot attempts.”
Adamson on Foster: “Carson is a tough-nosed competitor who will do what it takes to win. Our coaching staff will ask Carson to play multiple positions and be a defensive force. He can shoot it from deep and is a good passer.”
Uzziah Huskisson appeared in 19 games as a freshman and could be poised for a breakout year.
“His height and length make him a tough matchup on the offensive end and a terror for opponents on the defensive end,” Adamson said of the 6-foot-3 sophomore. “We will challenge Uzziah to be aggressive on the boards and to make an impact in transition.”
There’s plenty of competition for the remaining spots in the rotation, as senior Eli Yates and juniors Eli Wallis, Chase Maddux, Brody Lightfoot, Matt Cole and Gavin Brady are all battling for playing time. Adamson added several sophomores will challenge the upperclassmen for minutes.
“With all of the spots and minutes to fill, it will take some time to get used to each other and get on the same page,” Adamson said. “The sooner we can make that happen – both offensively and defensively – the better off we will be.”
Willard will travel to Branson for a November 20 jamboree with the Pirates, Bakersfield and Parkview. The Tigers will open the regular season by hosting the Willard Basketball Classic, which begins December 3.
“We cannot wait to see how we react to adversity during the first month of the season versus how we react to adversity during the final month of the season,” Adamson said. “Our coaching staff is excited to see our team’s maturation from November through March.”
