Matt Thompson has some big shoes to fill on the Crocker Lions’ bench.
But he won’t have far to turn to get advice from those shoes.
New Crocker head coach Thompson takes over for Steve Scholfield, who retired as Crocker head coach after last season. However, Scholfield is still very much around, serving as Crocker Athletic Director as well as a mentor for Thompson, who is in his first head coaching position.
Scholfield has been one of the area’s most successful head coaches for years. A member of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, he has a slew of 20-win seasons under his belt as well as making it to the Show-Me Showdown Final Four three times (with Iberia).
Thompson will appreciate the advice from his predecessor, as the Lions will have a fresh look this season after suffering key graduation losses from last season’s 17-11 squad, which also finished 5-3 in the Frisco League. The season came to a disappointing close in the Class 2 District 9 Tournament championship game, where the Lions ran into eventual state champion Eugene.
From that squad the Lions lose four starters, including most of their offensive production. The team averaged 59 points per game a season ago.
“As a new coach I know a little about last year’s team,” Thompson said. “They had a group of hard-working seniors who allowed them to be successful. Injuries troubled this group, and they lost in the district championship game to the defending state champions.
“We look to surprise some people after losing five players who contributed heavily. I am excited to get this season rolling and put some points on the board. I look to play fast and use our athleticism and shooting to allow us to be successful. I emphasize effort and intensity as a staple in the program.”
The most experienced player the new coach will build around is returning starter Avery Newton, a 6-0 senior guard who is the leading scorer back at 7.7 points per game.
Expected to round out the starting five to start the season are 5-9 junior guard Johnny Carriger - a part-time starter in 2024-25 - 6-3 senior forward Logan Connell, 6-0 senior guard Chase Sharpensteen and 6-0 freshman guard Preston Pierce.
Others expected to be factors are 6-2 junior forward Braden Devine, 6-2 junior forward Riley Foster, 6-3 senior forward Tripp Caldwell, 5-11 sophomore guard Aiden Resch, 6-3 sophomore forward Jayden Bodkins and 5-10 junior guard Wyatt Sherrell.
“Avery is a returning starter and a very skilled, hard worker,” Thompson said. “Johnny is another returner from last season. He runs the show. He’s a good floor general and also a scoring threat. Logan is a returner who is a high motor guy and a natural leader. Chase is a newcomer this year. He’s very athletic and a skilled shooter as well as a vocal leader. Preston is an incoming freshman who is a very hard worker and a three-level scoring threat.
“Braden is a very athletic, slashing forward. Riley is a solid set shooter who does not make many mistakes. Tripp is a very athletic, rebounding forward. Aiden is a good shooter who will stretch the floor. Jayden is a nice rebounding and screening forward. Wyatt is a hard-working guard who will stretch the floor.”
The new coach hopes to be fast-paced, taking advantage of strong shooting.
“This upcoming season we will have a few different offensive philosophies,” Thompson said. “We will change it up depending on personnel. We are a good shooting team and look to use that to our advantage. As a new coach with a new team, we will look to switch up our style.
“Defensively we will look to play man and pressure the ball heavily. We have some good athletes and we look to use that to impact teams on the defensive end of the ball.”
Crocker loses five seniors to graduation, including all-conference and all-district selections Adam Newton, the team’s leading scorer, and Jackson Burney. Others gone are Landon Pierce, Jaymz Heimick and Jess Goldsmith.
