4 returning starters give Monett hoops high hopes

By Jared Lankford [email protected]

Experience, athleticism and a strong sense of family have Monett basketball coach Andrew Ballock optimistic about the Cubs’ chances of making significant strides during the 2026-2027 season.

With four returning starters, seven returning lettermen and a talented group of underclassmen, the Cubs hope to improve on last year’s 10-18 record and become a contender in what promises to be a competitive Big 8 Conference race.

For Ballock, who has compiled a 32-51 record at Monett, the excitement surrounding this year’s squad goes beyond the talent returning to the hardwood.

“Our guys play extremely hard, are coachable, and want to see each other succeed on and off the court,” Ballock said. “We have a very unselfish team, truly nobody cares who scores the points and gets the credit, and we have a very close-knit connected team.”

The Cubs finished 2-6 in conference play last season, placing seventh in the Big 8. Monett ended the campaign with a 46-45 victory over Cassville in the opening round of district tournament play before falling to eventual district champion Nevada, 69-46, in the semifinals.

Leading the returning cast is 6-foot-4 senior Jack Stephens, who earned all-conference, all-district and all-area honors last season.

Stephens paced the Cubs in scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

A versatile guard capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, Stephens has spent the offseason improving his game and getting stronger in the weight room.

Ballock expects even bigger things from his senior standout.

“He is a long, athletic, and crafty guard who can score at all levels in multiple ways,” Ballock said. “He has a chance to be one of the best players in our area.”

Stephens shares the backcourt with senior Bryce Hoyt, a 5-10 point guard who started every game last season.

Hoyt averaged 5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals per contest.

While his contributions don’t always stand out in the scoring column, Ballock considers Hoyt the emotional leader of the Cubs.

“He is the heartbeat of our group,” Ballock said. “Provides an infectious energy that gets the entire group amped up to play. The team goes as he goes.”

Senior Carson Nestleroad gives Monett another experienced and versatile performer.

The 6-1 Nestleroad averaged 3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 steals last season.

His physicality, basketball intelligence and defensive communication make him a valuable asset for the Cubs. Ballock considers Nestleroad the anchor of Monett’s defense and praises his ability to guard multiple positions, rebound and initiate the fast break.

Offensively, Nestleroad’s unselfish approach allows him to contribute without needing to be a primary scoring option.

Junior Brady Rhea gives the Cubs another proven backcourt weapon.

Rhea averaged 6.8 points per game a season ago and has developed into one of Monett’s most reliable outside shooters.

The 5-10 guard can direct the offense or work away from the basketball, giving Ballock additional flexibility with his lineup.

Senior Henry Walker, a 6-1 forward, also returns after averaging 4.1 points per game. Walker’s length and athleticism allow him to defend multiple positions, finish around the basket and stretch opposing defenses with his outside shooting.

One player Ballock is particularly excited to welcome back is junior Justin Arias.

The 6-3 Arias missed all of last season with a back injury but is expected to provide an immediate boost with his size, physicality and athleticism.

Arias can play multiple positions and possesses the quickness to attack defenders off the dribble.

Monett also expects contributions from sophomores Eli Hildebrand and Tucker Goetz.

Hildebrand is an athletic 5-11 guard whose quickness allows him to pressure opposing ball handlers the length of the floor. His improved three-point shooting should make him another offensive option.

Goetz, a 5-10 point guard, brings toughness, leadership and a strong understanding of the game. His ability to direct the offense and knock down perimeter shots gives the Cubs additional depth in the backcourt.

Two newcomers who could contribute are junior Jamen Thomas and sophomore Jayden Parks.

Thomas is a quick, energetic defender capable of creating problems for opposing offenses and helping Monett increase the tempo.

Parks has impressed the coaching staff during the offseason with his ability to attack the basket, finish around the rim and connect from three-point range.

The biggest loss from last year’s team is forward Alex Meeks, who graduated after averaging more than 13 points per game.

Meeks provided a difficult matchup for opponents with his combination of size, perimeter skills and versatility. He also served as a vocal leader for the Cubs.

Replacing his production will require a collective effort from Monett’s returning players.

Ballock believes this year’s roster is particularly well-suited to playing an up-tempo style of basketball.

With a combination of speed, athleticism and depth, the Cubs plan to push the ball in transition while applying aggressive defensive pressure.

“This year our personnel will allow us to play really fast on both ends of the floor,” Ballock said. “We have great speed and athleticism that will allow us to play in transition as much as we possibly can, as well as enough depth to play a lot of guys and stay fresh for the entire 32 minutes night in and night out.”

Improved shooting will also be important for Monett.

Last season, the Cubs averaged 48.5 points per game while surrendering 53.9. They connected on just 37.4 percent of their field goal attempts, including 23 percent from three-point range, and shot 58.2 percent from the free-throw line.

With several returning players showing improvement in their shooting during the offseason, Ballock hopes the Cubs can become a more efficient offensive unit.

The Big 8 Conference race figures to be another challenge.

Nevada, which eliminated the Cubs in last year’s district tournament, enters the season as one of the teams to watch, although Ballock believes the conference race could be more balanced than in previous years.

“I believe that the conference is as even as it’s been in my four years here at Monett,” Ballock said. “I think there’s a lot of teams on any given night that can beat one another.”

Rivalry games against Mt. Vernon, Cassville and Aurora will highlight the conference schedule.

Monett will host Mt. Vernon on Jan. 26, travel to Cassville on Feb. 5 and visit Aurora on Feb. 12.

The Cubs will also face larger-school competition against Carthage and Neosho and participate in the Neosho Holiday Tournament and the 60th annual Crane Pirate Invitational.

Monett opens its regular season Nov. 24 at home against McAuley Catholic.

For the Cubs’ senior leaders, the opportunity to finish their high school careers together provides added motivation.

Stephens, Nestleroad and Hoyt have played together for years and believe their familiarity and chemistry could be major advantages this season.

“I think this season will be a huge step in the right direction,” Stephens said. “We have four starters returning, so we have a lot of chemistry and experience going into this season. I think that gives our team a lot of confidence.”

Nestleroad echoed those sentiments.

“I am excited to compete one final year with my teammates,” Nestleroad said. “We have been putting in a lot of work this past offseason and built memories together. I also believe we have a great opportunity to do something special that has not been done in a long time here in Monett.”

Hoyt believes the Cubs have the potential to make a serious postseason run.

“Everybody on the team knows their role and everybody wants to succeed,” Hoyt said. “I cannot wait for the season to start and I believe we have a shot to win the district title.”

For Ballock, however, the focus remains on daily improvement rather than looking ahead to postseason possibilities.