L-R: #21 BRYSON DENSON POINT GUARD, #25 CHADON WOODLEY GUARD, #31 JOHN MASON GUARD, #14 JACK WOMACK JAVIA SAMPLES, #23 EVA POYNER FORWARD, #15 SASHA WOOD POINT GUARD
At the high school level coaches can watch their players grow up before their eyes, sometimes getting the opportunity to see them play from rec league up until their chance to try out for the varsity team. After that it’s four years max and off they go. Both Model teams must replace five seniors that contributed to teams that made deep playoff runs, but both teams have underclassmen that were major contributors throughout the season. How they evolve will determine the trajectory of these two teams in the 25-26 season.
“We’re never afraid to play the young guys,” says Model Boys Head Coach Jacob Travis. “We played Chadon Woodley and Bryson Denson a lot as freshman. John Mason has played in the last three region championships. These guys have played big games, but now the roles have changed. How they handle will impact our success this season.”
Travis is entering his 14th season at the helm, so he has experienced rebuilding and reloading. Replacing guys like Chase Allen, Stevie Dallas and Noah Travis certainly won’t be easy, but guys like Woodley, Denson and Mason are poised to take on the challenge to lead a younger group of Blue Devils while trying to defend their 3-peat streak of region championships.
“Nothing will be given to these guys, so they have to go out and earn it,” says Travis. “If we focus on getting better every day, they should have a lot of opportunities to win.
As for the girls, a trip to the Final Four and a near miss at the state championship game should fuel a roster that returns a ton of production. It seems like almost every season a freshman steps in and contributes big time for the Lady Devils and last year that player was Kam Sanders. With an off-season of development and veteran teammates like Javia Samples, Sasha Wood and Eve Poyner, this team is viewed as a state title contender.
The pipeline established in Shannon through Big Blue Basketball Camp certainly seems to keep the talent flowing through the doors for both the boys and girls, contributing to the sustained success of both programs.
“A big foundation for us is the Big Blue Basketball Camp,” says Lady Blue Devils Head Coach Sally Echols. We get to work with kids who are excited about the game and excited about the season. We have a wonderful middle school program, and we get to attend those practices regularly and that allows us to have a hand in their development.”
Those practices and the overall tradition have translated into a lot of wins over the years, but for Echols, coaching is about a lot more than wins and losses.
“The biggest win I can get is pulling up in my driveway to see a former player sitting in my driveway when I get home waiting to come hug my neck,” says Echols. “The relationships we form with our players can last a lifetime. Winning is fun and we’ve been fortunate to have some great seasons, but the players are the reason you do it.”
The players both coaches have on their rosters this year are certainly capable of continuing an already established tradition of winning, and the Shannon community can’t wait to fill the gym.
