The Neosho High School boys basketball program is entering a new era.
The Wildcats will feature a new cast of characters on the court this winter after the program lost the bulk of last year’s lineup to graduation.
“I’m really excited for this upcoming season,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “After losing seven seniors, we are ready for a fresh start and a new page for Neosho Basketball. We have a great mix of upper and underclassmen.”
Neosho must overcome the loss of Isaiah Green, Carter Baslee, Carter Fenske, Brock Franklin, Michael Day, Jared Siler and Kael Smith.
Last year’s seniors led the way as the Wildcats went 19-8 overall and 6-3 in the always-tough Central Ozark Conference.
Senior guard Collier Hendricks (6-2, 165) is the team’s lone returning varsity performer.
“He is going to be our best player and can score at all three levels,” Culp said. “He has worked really hard to get his game to where it is at. We are looking forward to the opportunity to get to coach him this year.”
In addition to Hendricks, Neosho will rely on a large group of varsity newcomers this season.
Expected to play a key role is senior guard Colton Southern (6-2, 175).
“Colton is going to be one of our leaders,” Culp said. “He competes at every level of the game and is going to have a great year for us on both ends.”
Senior Coleman Deines (5-11, 170), juniors Brodie Arthur (6-0, 175), Ty Harris (5-10, 170), Kanten Smith (6-1, 170) and Quincy Simpson (6-2, 170) and sophomore Kaiden Asberry (5-10, 160) are other players expected to contribute this season.
“Coleman is a smart player that will look to hit shots and be a senior leader,” Culp said. “Brodie is a shot maker. He is one of the best shooters in our program and we are expecting big time production from him. Ty is a guy that can score in bunches. He has the ability to score a lot of points. He has put in the time this summer to prepare himself for our season.
“Kanten is an absolute bulldog,” Culp said. “He goes into every game like it is a fight. We are expecting him to be one of our toughest competitors. Quincy is an athletic kid and we will look for him to give us minutes playing hard and creating some opportunities for himself.
“Kaiden is a great shooter and has the ability to get teammates the ball and get them a good look,” Culp noted. “He also has worked really hard to improve his defense so we will task him with being one of our better defenders.”
With so many newcomers in key roles this season, Culp noted the Wildcats will look to prove the doubters wrong.
“Wins and losses are hard to say with a brand new group, but the boys are hungry to prove they are a competitive, strong basketball team,” Culp said. “We are going to play with a chip on our shoulder and with something to prove every game.”
Lack of varsity experience is the biggest area of concern heading into the season.
And with such an inexperienced squad, there could be some growing pains along the way.
Simply put, Culp hopes to see the team make steady progress throughout the season, with peaking during the postseason an ultimate goal.
“We have to be OK with going through struggles and learning together,” Culp said. “We will have a group eager to learn and that will find ways to compete. And being an underdog in most games will end up being our strength.”
Neosho will debut its new look squad when it hosts a jamboree with Webb City and McDonald County on Thursday.
Neosho opens the 2023-24 season at Nevada on Nov. 28.
