WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The 2020-2021 season has been anything but normal for the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team, but head coach Jared Phay believes the Grizzlies have the pieces they need to complete a successful competitive campaign.
“We’re skilled, we shoot the ball well, and we have guys who can get to the rim,” said Phay, who is in his first year as head coach of the Grizzlies. “The jury is still out on some things, but overall, I think we have the pieces to be successful.”
One of the Grizzlies’ greatest hurdles so far has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did it delay the start of the competitive season until this month, it’s also affected how the players live on campus, attend classes and conduct practice because of the protocols required to help keep the virus at bay.
“It’s been tough because of the circumstances. We didn’t get to develop guys as much because of quarantines, and we’re not fielding the same team every time in practice,” Phay said. “But off the court, the players have gelled really well, and that will help.”
The ability to participate in a limited number of scrimmages during the preseason also helped pinpoint the team’s strengths and weaknesses on the court.
“Our biggest strength is that we shoot the ball well, but we need to figure out how to play together more and get better defensively, and that’s going to take some time,” Phay said.
“We have to rebound the ball better, and that starts with guarding,” he added. “In our scrimmages, we got beat off the dribble, which put us out of position for rebounding to block out. It all starts with defense.”
The Grizzlies hope to make those corrections before Jan. 20 when they travel to Kansas to face perennial national powerhouse, the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens.
Phay expects this year’s version of the Ravens to be just as tough and competitive as previous teams which helped solidify the Ravens’ reputation.
“They’re really good. They play hard, they’re well coached, and they have a very good big man who was on the team last year. It’s going to be a really tough road game,” the coach said.
“What we’ll be looking for from our team is who competes and who really wants to win,” he added. “These road challenges, who’s competing, that’s what we want to find out.”
Who competes will play a factor in who starts for the Grizzlies, but Phay said fans shouldn’t expect the same starting five every game. “We’re going to mix up the starting lineup. We don’t have a starting five and a second five,” he said.
Still, fans can expect to see several players who have made an early impression in those lineups, including Jesse Zarzuela, a sophomore point guard from Houston, Texas; James “Scooter” Williams, a freshman guard from Clarksville, Tennessee; and Byron “Tre” Breland, a sophomore guard from Hamden, Connecticut.
“Jesse is a talented scorer, and Tre is a very energetic leader. He’s a high-energy guy and very vocal in practice,” Phay said. “Scooter is a talented, do-it-all guy for us.”
Fans also will see sophomore returning guards Franklyn Petion, Freeport, Bahamas, and Nico Hill, Opunake, New Zealand, in those lineups, as well. “They’ve been through a little more and have been leaders for us,” Phay said.
After opening at Coffeyville, the Grizzlies will return home to host the Grizzly Classic Jan. 22-23. They will travel to tournaments at Moberly Area Community College and Mineral Area College (MAC) before hosting Mineral Area Feb. 10 in their Region 16 season opener.
In addition to playing Region 16 rivals Mineral Area, Moberly, Three Rivers College and State Fair Community College three times during the season, the Grizzlies also will face Arkansas Baptist College, Link Year Prep, Illinois Prep, Arkansas Tech JV, Southern Arkansas Tech, North Arkansas Community College, National Park Community College and St. Louis Community College during the regular season.
Postseason play begins March 31 with the Region 16 Championship Tournament. The season concludes with the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s National Basketball Championship Tournament April 19-24 in Hutchinson, Kansas.
“Moberly is really good this season. They have a couple of guards who are as good as any in the country. They will be a national contender,” Phay said. “MAC is really good, too. Three Rivers and State Fair also will be tough games. Playing a team three times is a tough challenge. It’s hard to beat a team three times.”
Phay’s hope for the Grizzlies this season is that they reach their potential. “All we can do is be the best team we can be. Your goal as a coach is for your team to reach its maximum potential,” he said.
“There’s a chance we’ll have a lot of these guys back next season, so getting them to understand the competition part is key. We’re fortunate that we have really good teams within our conference and state that will help us do that,” he said.
“One thing is sure, though. Our team is going to compete and be unselfish. These two things we’ll absolutely demand from the players,” Phay stressed.
Phay’s other hope for the season is that fans will be able to watch the Grizzlies in person, but it will take everyone doing their part to make that happen.
He pointed out the Grizzly Basketball team must follow COVID-19 guidelines established by MSU-WP, the NJCAA and Region 16 to compete this season. As a result, seating capacity limits in the civic center will be followed, and social distancing and masking will be required throughout the games.
Anyone age 10 and above will be required to wear a mask. Children age 2 through 9 are highly recommended to wear a mask. Fans also will be expected to remain in their ticketed seats throughout the games, except when needing to visit the restrooms.
Those planning to attend the Grizzly home games this season should have their masks on when they enter the civic center. Masks will need to remain on throughout the games, including while seated in the stands.
Ushers will be available to help with seating and to offer friendly reminders about the masking requirements.
“Please help us out. We do want fans here. Wear a mask. Socially distance. Follow all of the safety protocols for the university’s events so we all can enjoy the season,” Phay said.
Game tickets are now available the West Plains Civic Center. They can be obtained through contactless purchasing from the center’s exclusive ticketing vendor, Ticketmaster.
Ticketmaster, university officials explained, has social distancing protocols included in its ticket sales. The system automatically creates three seats between groups of tickets sold at the point of sale in real time to help with social distancing guidelines.
Season tickets also can be purchased through the civic center. Call 417-256-8087 or visit the civic center box office at 110 St. Louis St.
Individual game tickets are available at https://www.ticketmaster.com/west-plains-civic-center-tickets-west-plains/venue/50524; the Grizzly Athletics website, msuwpgrizzlies.com; direct through Ticketmaster; or by calling the civic center at 417-256-8087.
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball team, including a full roster, game schedule and ticket information, visit msuwpgrizzlies.com.
THE 2020-2021 GRIZZLY BASKETBALL team includes, top row from left, Adnan Hussein, Olney, Md.; Jesse Zarzuela, Houston, Texas; Muhammed “Mo” Kora, Renton, Wash.; Nico Hill, Opunake, New Zealand; Martaveon Jones, Kansas City; and Jimarius Snead, Chicago, Ill. Middle row: Ugochukwu “Roy” Eze, Kaduna, Nigeria; Franklyn Petion, Freeport, Bahamas; James “Scooter” Williams, Clarksville, Tenn.; Ian Lopez, Winter Garden, Fla.: Sebian Dillard, Lexington, Ky.; and Thierno Bah, Courbevoie, France. Bottom row: Isaiah Wilson, Laveen, Ariz.; Byron “Tre” Breland, Hamden, Conn.; Ankit Choudary, Ottawa, Canada; Reese Dodson, Salem; Head Coach Jared Phay; and Assistant Coach Jason Owens Sr. (MSU-WP Photo)
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