BLANCHARD LIONS

BOYS

Coach: Jeff Word

2022-23 Record: 17-8

Sixth-year head coach Jeff Word has a lot going for him a year after a 17-win campaign. He added the mind of Trey Green, a Kingfisher High School and OBU basketball alum, to his staff and brings back several veterans. “Returning two senior starters, 6-6 center Ross Johnston and 6-0 sharpshooter Carson Cooksey,” Word said. “We have three more seniors with three years of varsity playing time experience that will fill the void to graduation: Keegan Graves (6-2), Jared Wrigley (6-2) and Matthew Tonsing (5-7).” Johnston poured in 9.0 points per game and 6.0 boards last year while Cooksey contributed 8.0 points and 2.0 assists. Wrigley knocked down 42% of his 3-point attempts last year for 5.0 points a night. Al three can expect those numbers to increase this season. The Lions will feature 11 on-roster players listed 6-foot-or-taller, a rarity in 4A hoops. One of the team’s only drawbacks will be missing

key players like Cooksey and Johnston until football season ends. “A few new sophomores will play a big roll off the bench with important minutes: point guard Emory Smalley (5-11) and forward Cole Watkins (6-3),” Word said. “We won’t get a true indication of how good we can be until mid-January, but if we can defend well, we can be pretty solid this year and make another run.” Word continued on Smalley, calling the underclassmen a “very heady, aggressive point guard that will not only play significant minutes but could potentially start this season,” Word said. “Does a tremendous job running offense and always finds the open man. Constant vision with the basketball. Even better is his ability to lock down an offensive player with the basketball. He has a huge upside and will be an outstanding player here for us.” The Lions open the season at Duncan on Friday, Dec. 1 and open at home Dec. 12 against Newcastle.