By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The Zizzers return experienced athletes to the floor this season and expectations are high for the West Plains boys’ basketball team.

“We are very excited for the upcoming year,” said head Coach Shane Benson, who enters his fifth year leading the program. “We will have the size and athletic ability to match up with the teams on our schedule. We have a lot of football players, and we expect them to make a deep run in the playoffs. We feel like we will improve throughout the season and will be very competitive once everyone gets healthy and in basketball shape.”

The Zizzers went .500 last season with a 14-13 record, losing to Marshfield by five in district play. Rolla claimed the district title by 5 points in overtime against Marshfield.

West Plains lost three talented contributors to graduation. Taylor Harrison led the team in scoring (13.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.3 rpg). The team MVP and all-conference and all-district selections is continuing his basketball career at Missouri State – West Plains. Daegen Green averaged 9.8 points per game and was a defensive specialist who earned all-conference and all-district honors. Owen Harris was a solid floor leader at point guard.

Four seniors return to action. Senior Connor Lair is a standout football player and the returning leading scorer and rebounder. “He will be able to match up athletically with anyone we play,” said Coach Benson. The 6’2” forward/two guard averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game last season.

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Coach Benson has high expectations for Bristol Wood, a 6’4” senior forward who averaged 7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season. “His shooting ability will stretch the defense,” said Benson, who added Bristol is an all-around skilled player. “We are looking for a very big season out of him.”

Hunter McCullough shared the point guard role in his junior season, and will take over as floor leader and ball handler now in his senior season. Coach Benson said McCullough is athletic and the best on-ball defender. “We’ll expect him to put some pressure on the basketball to start our defense,” added Benson.

Coach Benson described Sean Tinsley as “an athletic slasher type” and a solid rebounder. The 6’4” senior averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Seniors Will Jones, Parker McGinley, and Hayden Cook will also add to the team’s resources.

Benson said his team’s greatest asset is likely depth, and a talented class of juniors will make up part of that core. Garrett Mahan adds size to the lineup at 6’6.” He is a strong rebounder and had a promising summer. Aiden Simpson and Jesse Hudson are each athletic players; Simpson is a strong shooter and Hudson is a two-guard that can get to the rim. Blake Harris is a good ball handler who could contribute at point guard. Watson Hafer, 6’4”, has a high basketball IQ and is returning from a nagging injury, now expected to be a strong player for the Zizzers.

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Sophomore Briggs Houghston, 6’5”, will compete for varsity time after a strong summer. “He is very good around the bucket and can shoot the three,” said Benson.

“Our goal is to compete and give ourselves a chance to win every game,” said Coach Benson. “We hope to win our district and conference.”

The Zizzers will take part in the Doniphan Jamboree November 19 with Doniphan, Dexter, and Sikeston. They open their regular season against Willow Springs on December 3.