By Chris Parker
Lockwood boys basketball has a new head coach in Micah McIntire this season. It is his first head coaching job. He was an assistant at Springfield Catholic for two years and Ozark for one.
“The administration is incredible, and I feel that we shared the same goals of setting kids up for future success and competing at a high level,” McIntire said. “It is a sports-centered community that supports their athletic programs and is used to having success in multiple sports.”
Sean Contreras (junior guard) and Landry Ogden (junior guard) are two key returners. Contreras averaged 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.1 steals per game. Ogden contributed 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2 steals per game.
“Sean had a big season as a sophomore earning all-conference and all district honors. He competes at a high level and is a very good athlete. He finishes well offensively and has quick hands defensively,” McIntire said. “Landry also had a big season as a sophomore earning all-conference honors. He is an extremely dependable and hard-working kid. He can score inside and out and plays with tenacity on the defensive end.”
The rest of the starting lineup and rotation has a host of potential players including: Roper Gray (junior guard), Braxton Garver (junior forward), Owen Patterson (senior forward), Keon Lilienkamp (senior forward), Drew Pittsenbarger (sophomore guard/forward), Oliver Boehne (sophomore guard), Braxton Glenn (junior guard), CJ Book (junior guard/forward), Reed Rath (sophomore guard) and Alfred Douglas (sophomore forward).
McIntire on Gray: “Roper played some varsity minutes as a freshman but did not play as a sophomore. He is a quick guard that plays with a high motor and brings a level of toughness and a competitive edge to our team.”
McIntire on Garver: “Braxton missed his sophomore season due to a torn ACL. He has recovered well and looks to be a contributor for us this year. He plays the game with a high IQ and brings versatility on the offensive end.”
McIntire on Patterson: “Owen was primarily a JV player last season, but figures to step into a bigger role this year. He is a very strong, athletic kid who plays bigger than his size and brings toughness and physicality to our team.”
McIntire on Lilienkamp: “Koen is one of the best athletes that we have. He has a long frame and gets off the floor well. He does a great job running the floor and his length will be a weapon the defensive end.”
McIntire on Pittsenbarger: “Drew is a kid who mainly played JV last year, but appeared in some varsity games as well. Drew is a very smart kid who has decent size and length and is a good outside shooter.”
McIntire on Boehne: “Oliver mainly played JV as well but got to see some limited varsity action as a freshman. He is a quick guard who has a good handle and is a good shooter from outside, and in the mid-range.”
McIntire on Glenn: “Braxton was primarily a JV player last year but appeared in a few varsity games. He is a lefty guard who shoots the ball well from outside and has good touch when he gets into the paint.”
McIntire on Book: “CJ was primarily a JV player last season but appeared in a few varsity games as well. CJ is a smart kid who brings versatility to both ends with his mix of size and skill.”
McIntire on Rath: “Reed was primarily a JV player last season but will have a chance to compete for a bigger role this year. He is a very hard worker who is very coachable. He shoots the ball well from outside.”
McIntire on Douglas: “Alfred is another kid who played JV last season, but he also works very hard. Uses his strength well and plays hard on both ends of the floor.”
Lockwood will be short on experience in the early going, but guard play will be key to working through the inexperience.
“Our guard play will lead us this year. I think our lead guards will make up one of the better backcourts in our conference. Our speed and ball pressure will be keys for us this season,” McIntire said. “We are relying on several players to have little to no varsity experience in the past so we will have some growing pains early on. Experience is the best teacher, so I expect us to see growth throughout the year.”
Lockwood opens the season with its home tournament the 83rd Annual Dennis Cornish Classic Dec. 1-6.
“I am really excited to work with these kids because they are very competitive and they work extremely hard,” McIntire said. “Their effort makes them a fun group to be around and to coach.”
