NEOSHO, Mo. — After graduating Landon Austin, Chase Flynn and Dalton Brodie, the Neosho Wildcats will be relying on three key returners to take over the reins and improve upon last year’s 13-13 season that ended in the district championship round.
“We expect to go out and compete in every game,” fourth-year Neosho coach Zane Culp said of his expectations for 2021-22. “Our goal is to be over .500 and finally get over the hump after losing in the district final three years in a row.”
The Wildcats will be relying heavily on their junior class this season, including the top three returners with experience—Brock Franklin, a 5-foot-8 point guard, 6-1 G Carter Fenske and 6-1 G Isaiah Green. Franklin averaged three points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season, while Fenske averaged 5.7 ppg last season, while Green put up 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and two steals per game a season ago.
“He is going to be our point guard this year after starting all 26 games last year,” Culp said of Franklin. “He is also one of our best defenders and a bulldog on the court at all times. I expect him to be one of our leaders and our heartbeat on the floor. … (Carter) was our best shooter last year. He made 44 3s while only averaging 11 minutes per game. We expect him to have a big year offensively and expand his role from last year. … Isaiah is one of our best all-around players. He not only fills up the stat sheet in all categories, but he is also one of the best defenders that usually guards the other team’s best player.”
Also expected to have a bigger role this season is returning junior Kael Smith, a 6-2 forward.
“Kael came on late last season and gave us a big spark,” Culp said. “He is one of the most skilled big men we’ve had in a while and has a great feel for the game. He is going to be a big part of what we do every possession on defense and offense.
“This group of juniors have always played well together and have always been successful up until this point. We are excited for them to translate that into a varsity season.”
New faces at the varsity level this season include junior 6-0 F Jared Siler, junior 6-4 C Carter Baslee, junior 5-10 G Michael Day and senior 6-5 G K’dyn Waters.
“I think depth and athleticism will be our strengths,” Culp said. “We have guys that can do lots of different things from handling the ball to running the floor, shooting the 3, taking people off the dribble and crashing the boards.”
Of course, with only a handful of players returning with extensive varsity minutes, experience will be the biggest obstacle for the Wildcats this season.
“The biggest obstacle we will have to overcome is our lack of varsity experience and only having one senior,” Culp said. “We are confident guys will grow as players as the season goes along. We expect big things from all our players just in different capacities. Everyone will have a vital role to play in our team’s success.”
Neosho opens the season on the road in a matchup with Aurora on Dec. 2. After taking part in the Pea Ridge Tournament from Dec. 9-11, Neosho will take on Monett in its home opener on Dec. 14.
