BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
The Purdy boys basketball team is under new management this season, and the first taste of action saw the new coach’s squad win the tournament at his previous place of employment.
The Eagles are off to a 3-0 start to the season, taking home the Verona Tip-Off Classic trophy with a 71-44 win over Hurley, a 63-60 win over Pleasant Hope and a 45-44 victory over Blue Eye.
Making the wins even sweeter may be the connection to the host school, which was under the direction of Coach Brad Stewart for the previous 31 years.
Stewart brings to Purdy 34 total years of coaching experience, more than 500 career wins and a 2003 undefeated state championship team. He said the Eagles are excited for what they can do this season.
“My hope is we bring great energy and enthusiasm every day to whatever we are doing,” he said. “We have a lot of great people on the team. With me not on campus full-time, my assistant coach Drew Williams has been awesome communicating with players, administration, faculty and parents, as well as bringing a positive mindset, basketball knowledge and spirit to practice.”
Leading the Eagles this season is a trio of returners in senior Carter Keeling, senior Will Henderson and junior Damon Mahurin.
“First Team All-Conference and All-District, Carter brings athleticism, competitive drive and all-around basketball skill to our squad,” Stewart said. “Will brings passing, shooting and stability, and Damon brings speed, toughness and playmaking ability.
“Carter, Will and Teegan are the senior leaders. They set the tone for our team and are really good examples of how we want our players to conduct themselves.”
Bolstering the roster are a number of varsity newcomers, including: seniors Teagan Manwarren, Jackson Hilburn and Samuel Fritz; juniors J.J. Aguilar, Simon Walker, Easten Goetz and Aldo Perez; sophomores Jackson Lee, Hunter Wormington, Jayden Griffis and Levi Fritz; and freshmen Daniel Aldba and Grady Mahurin.
“They bring a wide variety of basketball skill, speed and size,” Stewart said. “But most important of all, they have been very coachable and have been very enthusiastic about contributing to our team’s success.”
Stewart said going into the season, Purdy assessed its strengths and weaknesses, realigning under the new coach’s system.
“Our best attribute is our hustle, toughness and team spirit,” he said. “We need to improve on our knowledge and execution of how we are going to function as a team.”
Purdy’s schedule is mostly away in December and mostly at home in January 2025, ending on the road in Galena on Feb. 18, 2025. Stewart said he’s happy with the slate of 16 games and three tournaments is solid.
“Our schedule is challenging and should prepare us for the postseason,” he said. “We hope to fill the stands at home games; also, if we are fortunate to be in a championship game or games, and then two nights that are always special include homecoming for our alumni and student body, and Senior Night to pay tribute to our senior players and their parents and families.”
Purdy plays in the Marionville Invitational this week, having faced the host Monday and Southwest on Tuesday. The home opener this season is on Dec. 10 against Sparta.
