Jackson boys basketball team ready to continue winning tradition

The Jackson boys basketball program has gone through an especially prosperous era the last few seasons, going to three straight Class 5 state quarterfinals and posting back-to-back years of at least 24 wins. The question for the 2015-16 Indians is how firm a foundation that period left, after the graduation of some critical contributors.

Gone are All-Missourian picks Braden Wendel and Blake Reynolds, who was the Player of the Year. Starter Connor Shepherd also graduated. How much has the next core learned from the past few teams?

"I think they've seen with some of the guys that have played in college and some of the teams [that had success], they know what it took to get to that level -- how hard they had to work and how much time they put in," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "I think that helps. It makes it easier when you tell them, 'OK, if you want to be good, this is what you've got to do.' I do think that's been a positive."

Some of the team's biggest stars may be gone, but there is some experience with returning starters Garrett Walker and Jacob Smith to anchor things. Smith, who has committed to Lyon (Ark.) College, has worked on rounding out his game in the offseason to become a bigger all-around threat.

"His ball handling's improved," Scott said. "Last year he really attacked the basket, so he's worked on improving his perimeter shot so that when people sag off of him he can [hit from] the perimeter a little bit better. Probably the biggest thing he's tried to expand is his leadership and basketball IQ -- being able to understand what's going on. That's been something he's really responded to and something he needs to get better at every day."

Walker will look to reprise his role, with his coach saying it's not about adding responsibility, but just about doing what he does even better.

"We want him to take what the defense gives," Scott said. "We want him to be a solid defender and keep guys from getting into the paint, because he's athletic enough to guard the ball. Then be solid with the ball, not turn the ball over and get us into our offense. I think he'll have some opportunities to score more, but I don't think we necessarily need him to score a ton."

That's because Scott believes others will step into vacated spots and be able to contribute. It may be impossible to simply replace Reynolds, but sophomore Cameron Hester will have a chance to make an impact down low. The 6-foot-7 sophomore played a little as a freshman, and has impressed the coaching staff with his offseason development.

In the backcourt, senior Stephen Irons and junior Jacob Friess will go from being guys who saw a few minutes here and there to players that will be counted on.

"Last year they probably would have played more, but they didn't defend as well as I'd like, and that's something they've improved on -- they're defending well. For us to be good, we're going to need them to be good players for us."

Scott believes the most important things for this Indian squad will remain the same as has for each of his team's the last 11 years -- take care of the ball, play defense and crash the boards. Do that, and the program should continue to have success.

"We've got the ability to do all three of those things, we've just got to get them done," Scott said.

And as far as pressure to reach the same level Jackson basketball has reached in each of the last three years?

"I think the biggest thing we try to focus on is that you can't control how many wins you get all the time," Scott said. "You can control how well you play and how you play the game. How are you going to defend? How hard are you going to work in the offseason? I do think the success the last couple of years has helped, because we had one of our best offseasons and it has really paid dividends, especially with some of our younger guys."

Players to watch

Jackson is looking for a new face of the team for 2015-16, and Smith could be poised to become that. After focusing on bringing more balance to his game and being smarter on the court, he will help lift some of the weight left behind by key departures. Hester is also a player to keep an eye on. At 6-7, he's a potential match-up nightmare for the opposition.

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Class 5 District 1

Conference

SEMO Conference

Head coach

Darrin Scott

(12th year)

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ROSTER

No. Player Year Ht.

1 Desmond Morris 10 6-1

2 Jonathon Friess 11 5-10

3 Gavin Harris 10 6-0

4 Jacob Friess 11 6-1

11 Garrett Walker 12 6-2

12 Cooper Callis 10 6-2

14 Jacob Smith 12 6-3

22 James Ward 11 6-0

23 Pete Lake 10 6-6

24 Stephen Irons 12 6-2

32 Cameron Hester 10 6-7

33 Grant Ward 12 6-4

35 Brett Varner 11 6-6

42 Grayson Ward 10 6-4

45 Drew King 10 6-4

STARTERS GONE

Blake Reynolds

Braden Wendel

Connor Shepard

STARTERS BACK

Jacob Smith

Garrett Walker

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

12/5 Carbondale (Ill.) 3:30 p.m.

12/7 SEMO Conference Tourn.

12/15 Dexter 7:30 p.m.

12/18 @Kirkwood 7 p.m.

12/19 @Webster Groves 2:30 p.m.

12/26 SEMissourian Xmas Tourn.

1/7 Lindbergh Tourn.

1/12 Woodland 7:30 p.m.

1/15 Sikeston 7:30 p.m.

1/19 @Park Hills Central 7:30 p.m.

1/22 @Poplar Bluff 7:30 p.m.

1/26 Pacific 7 p.m.

1/29 @Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.

2/2 @Charleston 7:30 p.m.

2/5 Farmington 7:30 p.m.

2/9 @Cape Central 7:30 p.m.

2/12 New Madrid CC 7:30 p.m.

2/19 Kennett 6 p.m.

2/23 @St. Francis Borgia 6:30 p.m.

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LAST SEASON

LEADERS

Points: Blake Reynolds (20.3 ppg)

Rebounds: Reynolds (9.6 rpg)

Assists: Braden Wendel, Reynolds (3.6 apg)

RECORD

24-7