By Chris Parker
Fordland boys basketball returns six players who played in a majority of the varsity games for last season’s 13-14 squad.
“Our biggest strength is the continuity that we bring as a result of not graduating anyone last year,” Fordland head coach JJ Harrill said. “We look to build on the foundation of what we started last year.”
Matt Hart earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior. The senior forward averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
“Matt Hart (is) a great athlete who can change the game on both ends of the floor,” Harrill said.
Fellow senior Luke Waterman returns at guard after averaging 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a junior.
“Luke Waterman (is) a good teammate who sees the floor well,” Harrill said.
Junior Eric Wilson is a defensive star who brings all out effort on every possession according to Harrill. He averaged 1.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1 steal per game.
Sophomores Connor Criger (guard) and Jacob Hart (forward) had big freshman seasons averaging 12.1 and 12.2 points per game, respectively.
Fellow sophomore Parker Johnson played in all 27 varsity games last season averaging 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Harrill is looking for his more experienced team to be better on both ends of the floor.
“We are looking to hold other teams to less points and score more points than we did last year,” Harrill said. “If we can do that and win on the boards, that is a recipe for success.”
Fordland opens the season Nov. 22-26 at the Verona Tip-Off Classic.
