Clever Basketball Looks to Grow With Veteran Roster and Six Seniors

Clever Blue Jays Eye Growth After 22-Win Season

Three years ago, the Clever basketball program faced a difficult reality, finishing a season with a 4-22 record.

That narrative shifted dramatically last year, as the Blue Jays surged to a 22-5 finish before ultimately falling to Springfield Catholic in the district tournament.

Head coach Sean Price enters his fourth season with a veteran roster. According to reporting by Dana Harding for OzarksSportsZone.com, the team welcomes back six players who either started or saw consistent playing time during last year’s turnaround. This continuity serves as the foundation for Price’s expectations, as he looks to capitalize on the development of his senior-heavy lineup.

A Senior Class Defined by Versatility

The upcoming season will rely heavily on a veteran group: Kendall Piper, Coleson Cupit, Braxtyn Myers, Brayden Flood, Evan Verch, and Logan Sopok.

Kendall Piper, a 6-foot all-conference and all-district honoree, enters the year as a primary scoring threat. After averaging 13 points and 3 rebounds last season, his coach expects him to expand his impact on both ends of the floor. “Kendall will look to continue his growth as a complete basketball player,” Price said. “This season he will take that next step on both ends of the floor.”

The point guard duties fall to Coleson Cupit, who averaged 7 points and 4 assists as a junior. At 6-foot-3, Flood averaged 6 points and 7 rebounds last season and has shown a willingness to defend multiple positions, a trait that Price identifies as a key asset for the squad.

The supporting cast features players like Braxtyn Myers, who has served as a defensive specialist, and Evan Verch, a guard who transitioned from a sixth-man role into heavy minutes last year. Logan Sopok rounds out the group, providing the depth and rebounding ability necessary to compete in a demanding district.

The Challenge of Maintaining Momentum

Price aims to add newcomers, including 6-foot junior Lane Eaton and 5-foot-11 sophomore Gunner Lile, to the bench rotation.

With six seniors who have spent years learning the program’s systems, the challenge is keeping the team hungry. “I believe that the biggest X-factor with this team is our ability to not get complacent with the little things,” Price told OzarksSportsZone.com. “Can they stay hungry and have a passion to continue to grow and get better every day?”

For the Blue Jays, the path forward begins with a jamboree at Neosho on November 19. That event serves as a final tune-up before the team officially tips off its season on November 24 with a home game against Houston.