Sikeston preview

[sikeston train]

https://www.semoball.com/story/2567765.html

 

[sikeston train]

SIKESTON – Life after Fred Thatch is officially underway for the Sikeston Bulldogs.

Thatch, Sikeston’s all-time leader in scoring, rebounding and assists, has taken his talents to St. Louis University, and now his former high school team must face the fact that one of the best players in school history is no longer there.

Not only did Thatch graduate, but the Bulldogs also lost six other seniors from last year’s 27-4 team that was a shot away from playing in the Class 4 state championship game.

However, according to Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield, now in his 21st year at the school, the cupboard is far from bare.

“I’m really excited,” Holifield said. “I think we have really good skill level players. We have guys that are three-year starters returning. Fred is a great player and you don’t replace Fred. But fortunately we return four starters and six of our top eight rotation players from last year. We do have a lot of experience returning and I think this team has the capability of getting better every day. And that’s your goal and objective as a coach, to see your team improve every day.”

Holifield, a Missouri Hall of Fame coach, said Bulldog fans can expect this year’s team to have lot of the same characteristics that have helped his teams win nine district championships in the last 13 years, including five final four appearances and a state championship in 2011.

“I’m looking forward to it. I think we have a chance, if we stay healthy and continue to work, to have a really good team,” Holifield said. “I think we shoot the basketball very well and in fact it’s one of the better shooting teams I’ve coached. I think we handle the basketball very well. We like to play up-tempo and I think this team is very capable of getting the ball up and down the floor with pace. It’s exciting to see us practice.”

One returning starter, guard Kevin Jones, is a familiar face to Bulldog fans. The 5-foot-11 senior has started every game since his freshman year and has been in some of the biggest moments in school history.

A three-time defending district champion and two time final four participant, Jones returns after averaging 9.8 points per game on a well-balanced team. He also averaged 4.4 assists and led the team with 64 steals and 82 percent free throw shooting.

“He’s a four-year starter and he’s been on great teams,” Holifield said of Jones. “He’s had great leadership in practice. I’ve been very pleased with him. He’s played in as many big games as anybody that’s ever come through our school.”

Trey Jenkins, a 6-7 senior, also returns as a three-year starter and four-year letterman. Jenkins averaged 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds last year while shooting 76 percent from the field, mostly on point-blank shots or dunks at the rim. He is also a shot-blocking threat, registering 72 swats last year.

“Trey is as talented as any kid in the state in my opinion,” Holifield said. “He is super-talented and he’s a guy who can step in and have a big year.”

Senior twin guards Parker and Owen Long, both 6-2, return after averaging 6.6 points and 8.5 points, respectively. Parker’s duties were more as a facilitator, averaging 3.6 assists, but also capable of putting up points, knocking down 29 3-pointers. Owen is known as the team’s top 3-point marksman, tallying a team-leading 59 3-pointers last year.

“I think Parker and Owen have improved tremendously,” Holifield said. “Both are great shooters and both can pass it, catch it and handle it. I think they’re just going to have good years because they’ve put in a lot of time and work.”

Juniors Clark Steward (6-4) and Payton Howard (6-0) return with considerable experience the last two years.

Steward’s value goes beyond the box score. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. But he is one of the team’s best post defenders and he is a reliable ball handler.

Howard, who is capable of scoring in bunches, averaged 8.3 points and drilled 35 3-pointers last year.

“We have two juniors in Clark and Payton, both of them have been in a lot of big games as freshmen,” Holifield said. “Both of these guys were on the floor in district championships as freshmen and on the floor in quarterfinal games and final four games. Those two have a lot of experience.”

Holifield is expecting contributions from members of an undefeated junior varsity team: juniors Kenyon Smith (6-1), Colby Henson (5-10), Nick Harrison (6-3) and sophomores Lontas McClinton (6-0) and Leroy Atkins (5-11). Also, Tra Ranson, a 6-0 senior transfer from New Madrid County Central who was a standout for the Bulldog football team, could also figure into the mix.

“I think Kenyon Smith can really help us,” Holifield said. “He’s a tough defender and a tough rebounder. Colby Henson is an outstanding shooter. Nick Harrison is another tough, defender and rebounder. Lontas and Leroy Atkins are two sophomores that could see varsity time. Tra Ranson is nursing an injury. He can give us productive moments as far as defending and rebounding.”

A couple areas of concern with the graduation of Thatch and the senior class is in the rebounding and defensive areas.

“I think the key to our team will be how well we defend and how well we rebound,” Holifield said. “Defensively we have a lot of work to do and we have to rebound the basketball. But we have guys that are capable of doing that.”

Holifield also thinks this team has the capabilities of competing for another district title in one of the toughest districts in the state with the likes of contenders Cape Central and Notre Dame.

“I think this year’s team has good players, but the question is can you work hard every day and be consistent and do what you have to do to be a great team,” Holifield said. “I think this team has a lot of potential. Number one because we are good players and number two, because of our experience from the past. You talk about exciting times. We’re excited and I know our fans are excited. I’ve had so many people contact me about this year and talking about our team. We’re really looking forward to it, as a community, as a coaching staff and as a team.”

Roster

1 Tra Ranson 6-0 Sr.
2 Payton Howard 6-0 Jr.
3 Parker Long 6-2 Sr.
4 Trey Jenkins 6-7 Sr.
5 Kenyon Smith 6-1 Jr.
12 Lontas McClinton 6-0 So.
22 Leroy Atkins 5-11 So.
23 Kevin Jones 5-11 Sr.
25 Colby Henson 5-10 Jr.
30 Owen Long 6-2 Sr.
33 Nick Harrison 6-3 Jr.
40 Clark Steward 6-4 Jr.