Harold McIlvain II Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette
CLARKSVILLE -- The University of the Ozarks men's basketball team was able to post the second-most wins in the past five years a season ago.
It wasn't the season they had hoped for, but coach Travis Carruthers knows well that can happen in a loaded division of the American Southwest Conference.
"We played the toughest schedule in our region," Carruthers said. "We had eight losses to ranked teams. We have six of those teams in our division. I'm disappointed we didn't win more games and make the conference tournament. But I couldn't be more proud of how our guys competed."
The Eagles were able to finish with an 8-17 overall record and had a 4-12 mark in conference play. Now with four-year seniors Zach Bobo, Bryson Johnson and Tim Turpin back to lead the way, the Eagles are hoping to make a run at a successful season.
Bobo averaged 13 points per game and five rebounds per game a year ago. Johnson also averaged 13 points and also had a steal per contest. Turpin chipped in five per game and looks to make a big leap in production in his final run as an Eagle.
"All three of those guys are going to be four-year seniors," Carruthers said. "They have been with me since I got here. They will be playing big roles. They will be averaging 30 or more minutes per game.
Playing key roles for the Eagles this year will be transfers Zach Byrd, Grayson Nix and Ray Fresh and returners Seth Duke of Gravette and Javion Collins.
"We are excited about guys stepping up for us," Carruthers said. "For the transfers, they will be playing a role for sure. The level of that role will depend how well they can fit in. But I think those guys will have a chance to lead us in scoring on any given night."
The schedule has been condensed to a 16-game conference only slate for this season. It will be a quick sprint when the team is set to begin play in early January.
Carruthers said he loves the way his team has attacked the season despite it not being quite what it has been in the past.
"Our practices have been high intensity and have been competitive," Carruthers said. "Over the summer, guys were getting ready to play for a November start, but it will be January. I've had so much fun being around this group of guys just coming to practice. I love these guys as people. They have great chemistry off the court joking around but really get after it on the court. I want to continue to grow that excitement. These guys have an appreciation and are ready to play against somebody else.
"Unfortunately, we have to wait a little bit more than in the past."
Ozarks women's basketball coach Kourtni Williams knows well game experience is invaluable. The Lady Eagles gained plenty of that last year in a down 6-19 season. The program now hopes the turnaround starts now.
"Last year was a struggle to say the least," Williams said. "We faced some adversity. Kids were able to earn some great lessons with their minutes though. We return 11 players from last year. We had a hard time finishing games. We lacked the experience to do that. We are excited about what we have back and what we have brought in to go with them."
Junior guard Kerigan Bradshaw will lead the way for the Lady Eagles. She led the team as a sophomore a season ago averaging 12 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. That earned her honorable mention honors on the East Division All-Conference team.
Kamryn McKinney enters her last season as a Lady Eagle after making a big impact a year ago. She was second on the team in scoring with 10 points per game. Ozarks has plenty of depth behind Bradshaw and McKinney. Returners in Kelsey Dixson, Janna Rhinehart, Hannah Weatherford, Faith Curry, transfer Stevie Perkins and freshmen Lakyn Sanders from Lamar and Jenna Fortenberry are all looking to play key roles.
Dixion averaged eight points, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal per game doing it all in a strong sophomore campaign. Rhinehart and Weatherford chipped in on average seven points per game, while Curry scored five per contest.
