Gold Division — The Ozark/Pam Beesly similarities
It's tough not to be smitten with Pam Beesly from the Office.
When you’re talking about the best high school boys’ basketball teams in the Ozarks, there’s no doubt the Ozark Tigers come to mind.
Sure, they’re the No. 2 team in the RecSpecs15, but they don’t seem to get the respect from the rest of the area. When I bring it up in public, many yawn. It’s simply an assumption the senior-laden Tigers are a good team, but they’re not even the most discussed team or topic from their side of the Blue and Gold Tournament, despite holding Gold Division’s top seed.
It’s Hillcrest. It’s Mount Vernon. It’s Strafford’s Conner Wilson. All are favorite topics of conversation right now. Why? All of those are relatively unknown entities. It applies to the way many discuss some of the best looking celebrities. Megan Fox? Hot. Jessica Biel? Absolutely. January Jones? Beautiful.
But, what do you know about them? Sure, they’re gorgeous and might have been given some great parts in some films you’ve seen, but are they a better overall package than Pam Beesly from The Office? Think about it. Now, think about it again.
Now take a look at Pam Beesly. Better looking than you thought? Thought so.
Beesly is cute, funny and, when you take a step back, is better looking than you thought. But, Beesly (or Jenna Fischer, her government name) is an afterthought amongst the best looking actresses out there. It’s the exact same thing for the Ozark Tigers.
They’re better than you think.
Chew on this: The Tigers (7-1) have a deep and experienced core, many of which were thrust into prominent varsity roles as sophomores. Three of those seniors, guards Seth Arnold and Isaiah Monroe and post player Thomas Ligon might be the top senior trio in the area.
Already with two victories over Kickapoo, Monroe scored 15 and 21 points, respectively. A versatile guard who battled injuries last season, the 6-foot Monroe is one of many Tiger shooters that can expand the defense. That, in turn, helps Ligon, a solid 6-5 center and football tight end. A physical specimen with an emerging offensive game, few are as strong as Ligon.
But, the catalyst is Seth Arnold. It was a year ago, many were saying Arnold was a rising star, a combo guard equipped with equal parts long-distance, mid-range and slashing skills.
(And add in Hall of Fame coach Steve Hunter. It’s a lethal combination.)
Fast forward to this year and not much has been expected of Ozark. Sure, everyone knew they’d be good and they’re exactly what we thought they would be. And now, you can add overlooked to the description. Just like Pam Beesly.
Ozark plays Willow Springs in an 11 a.m. first-round game.
• How good is Hillcrest? I think the answer is, “Really good.” But, the Hornets haven’t played enough ball to clue us in, yet.
Once a role player, Hillcrest's Taylor Sade is emerging as a star.
With many teams having between seven and eight games played, the Hornets are 4-1, and that came by playing a back-to-back on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th. And on par with Megan Fox, the Hornets are very intruguing. (Although Tuesday’s 68-34 to Columbia Rock Bridge looks gnarl.)
Let’s get the Dorial Green section out of the way. The 6-5 sophomore phenom has expanded his basketball skill this season, adding more of a face-up offensive attack, even though he’ll be expected to play in the paint. Hornet coach John Schaefer said Green is a natural swingman, the same way you’d think he would be a tight end in football, but instead is a dominant wide receiver.
Green is joined by senior guard Taylor Sade, who is making the jump from role player to scorer. In Saturday’s victory over Parkview, the 6-1 southpaw guard had 18 points. If he can provide some scoring and mostly an unproven bench keeps succeeding, the Hornets could advance to the Gold championship.
Hillcrest plays Hartville in an 6:30 p.m. first-round game.
• How underappreciated is Zack Kleine? It seems like the 6-5 Mount Vernon senior has been making the B&G his personal playground since he debuted as a freshman, helping Tomas Brock and Co. win the title. Now, the future Southwest Baptist Bearcat is back, and his team (6-1) has the No. 3 seed.
But does everyone realize how talented he is? That’s what I’m here for.
A gifted scorer, who is averaging 26.3 points, Kleine is a swingman with inside-outside skills. He has expanded his game to the 3-point line, but could play the point, if asked. How talented is he? Recruited by Division I schools, he is heading to SBU, which doesn’t recruit many freshmen, especially local freshmen.
Now, many of you are B&G veterans and might remember Kleine as a freshman. Sure, he was a good player then, but when you’re watching him tear up opposing defenses, remember how good he was as a freshman and marvel at how much he’s improved. He has to be included amongst the B&G all-time greats, right?
The Mountaineers play Greenwood in a 9:30 p.m. first-round game.
• Looking for a breakout star? Then Strafford’s Conner Wilson is your guy. Straight Flush Michael Stacy of the News-Leader wrote about the 6-4 junior yesterday. This is what you need to know about Wilson:
- He can shoot it from deep
- He can handle like a much smaller guard
- He can post you up
- He’s learned how to play defense
Sounds like a small-school nightmare. The Blue and Gold is his opportunity to prove to the rest of the HS scene that he belongs amongst the area’s best players.
• Other storylines to watch: Is Republic really this good? Not much was expected of the fifth-seeded Tigers, but Coach Gary Stanfield has them off to a 7-1 start. … With a very secure top four teams, will there be any upsets? Look for Rogersville, which has a ton of B&G experience, to push Mount Vernon. … First-round upset special: No. 7 Mansfield vs. Camdenton, 5 p.m.
But there's more! Check out these related posts on TAGsgf.com:
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