Tigers bring experience into season with more favorable matchups
It took until February for the Exeter boys basketball team to find its first win in a 4-21 campaign last year, and the Tigers hope experience over the last few years will translate to a more competitive squad in the gym this season.
Tremayne Williams, Exeter boys basketball coach, said that’s the key goal this season — to be competitive night in and night out.
“We are trying to be competitive in every game we play,” he said. “We would like to take our experiences from last year and improve upon our standings in the district and conference. I believe our team is more connected this season than in years past. This group has the team chemistry that you want to have both on and off the floor. They are a group that I have enjoyed having and am looking forward to being on this journey with.”
The Tigers are led by a pair of seniors and a junior, all of whom have considerable experience.
“Our returning starters are Nathan Tackett, senior, a big that averaged a double-double last season,” Williams said. “He was a force in the paint at times, and we are looking to have more consistency from him. Zachary Lee, senior, was a point guard turned playmaker for us. He is finding his footing to become a primary part of our offensive attack. Kason Nelson, junior, is a do everything kind of guy. He became our point forward last year and usually gets the other team’s best player.”
Adding to the mix are four other letter winners looking to make an impact.
“Kronikel Lokot, senior, is great at creating space,” Williams said. “With this being his second year of organized basketball, we are hoping to see a jump in his ability to play. Josue Alcaraz, senior, is a four-year player that always finds a way to help the team. We are hoping to see him understand how valuable he can be on both sides of the floor.
“Jesse Eaton, junior, is a smart lefty that makes the right play almost every time. He is developing into a more consistent shooter, along with being a guy that can guard multiple positions. Kendal Gorman, junior, is a big that is learning how to play the right way. He saw a good amount of success in JV and started to find his footing at the varsity level last season.”
A few additional newcomers will round out the squad, including a senior who is enlisted in the military.
“Morgan Zinn, senior, decided to play his last available season,” Williams said. “He is already enlisted in the military, and I believe his maturity and presence could be an asset both on and off the floor. Coby Johnston, sophomore, is a guy that played well last season in JV and is slowly catching up to the pace at the varsity level. Carter Mattingly, sophomore, is someone that should see some time at the varsity level. He is a guy that is willing to do the dirty work that helps a team win games.”
Tackett and Lee have assumed the leadership roles for Exeter, and Williams hopes Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
their experience will carry the Tigers along.
“They are the guys that have seen the most and should understand what it takes for us to be successful,” he said. “We are hoping that they not only play the right way, but also help the other players find their place on our team and lead us to new heights.”
Williams said a key to finding success this season will be playing all four quarters and avoiding mistakes.
“We have to improve our ability to put a complete game together,” he said. “Last year, we would show flashes of being a team that could compete with anyone, and then small mistakes would tear us up throughout the course of a game. I would like to see us clean that up this year.”
Schedule-wise, Williams said last season was a challenge, but strength of opponents this year should be more equal.
“The schedule last season was one of the toughest I have had; this year, I believe we have a better chance at having more favorable matchups,” he said. “The one game I would want to pack the stands for would be senior night. This will be my first set of guys that I have coached for four seasons. I would like this game to be a memorable one.”
Ultimately, Williams said the diverse group of Tigers on the floor this year have a chance to push the program in the right direction.
“One of the unique things about this group is we have a soldier, a firefighter and a chef,” he said. “We have some guys with useful talents. “This group has a chance to change the standard of this program, I don’t want us to waste this opportunity.”
Exeter started the season at Southwest on Friday and will play in the Pierce City Invitational Nov. 27 to Dec. 2. The home opener is set for Dec. 4 against School of the Ozarks.
