Losing 24 points per game could keep a coach up at night. That is exactly what happened to Higbee boys coach Tanner Burton when senior William Gibson graduated and headed to Fulton to begin his college career at William Woods University. Losing senior Seth Kirby’s ball handling skills and outside shooting abilities could alter your sleep patterns as well. Burton, however, seems to have gotten plenty of sleep as the Tigers prepare to begin the 2020-21 season. Last season’s team finished at 11-14, but came very close to breaking even as they lost three games by just six points or less. 

It seems the Tigers may have just reloaded. Burton says this season’s edition of incoming freshmen “is probably the most talented in a decade or more” of Higbee basketball.

Freshman Jordan Fuemmeler “is a tremendous athlete, with some height and basketball IQ that just plays really good fundamental basketball,” said Burton.

Another freshman, Derek Rockett, is a point guard who Burton says plays at a very high level. Having spent time playing travel ball with high caliber players from Columbia did nothing but make him better, Burton explained.

Burton also mentioned freshman lefty Jaxon Hudson’s height and “good abilities,” along with another freshman Will Spillman who may be the “best three-point shooter who also has some height and will be exciting to watch. We’ve got some kids that have tangible things they do well and that will make for some fun basketball to watch as they get older.”

Returning this year for the Tigers will be senior Keetun Redifer. Redifer averaged 11 points per game last year, according to Burton, “kind of staying in Gibson’s shadow and developing.” Redifer played this summer working toward his aspirations to play basketball in college. A Burton proclaimed “‘gym rat, his desire to play at the next level, will push him to be a leader on this” Higbee team.

Two juniors, Jamie Smith and Luke Ritter will also log significant playing time. Smith has been working to fit in with what Burton describes as a “much more fast-paced” game. At six feet tall, Smith will be the main post player with hopes he can maintain or improve on his better than eight points per game from last year. Ritter, on the other hand, should not have any problem adjusting. Burton said Ritter “is fast and will be very dynamic on defense.”

In looking at a starting five in the opener against Bevier, on November 24 and the Mendon Tournament November 30, Burton looks to have a good mix with one senior, Redifer, two juniors, Ritter and Smith, along with two freshmen, Fuemmeler and Rockett. Burton said the rotation will generally involve those five along with three other players with the rest developing as the year goes on.

“With this group, it’s not how high is high, but how the kids execute every night. How do role players own those roles? As long as they have that strong work ethic, we might surprise some people. We’ve got a couple of freshmen that may play college ball, but they are all hungry and that hunger should drive us to win at least 15 games.”