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When first-year McDonald County High School basketball coach Kyle Fields greeted his squad on the opening day of the 2016-2017 season last year, he saw not one player with any varsity experience. Lost to graduation were the top seven players from the previous year's 21-6 Big 8 Conference championship team. Not only were those seven seniors gone, but top prospect Peyton Barton was out for the season after injuring his knee in the final football game. With three starters from last year's 4-24 squad, along with Barton, the expec- tations for the 2017-2018 season are much higher. "We are a lot farther ahead this year," Fields said. "We know each other much more than we did last year. The kids are more comfortable with knowing the system, and we feel things will be more natural and consistent this year. Our expectations are simple but sometimes very hard to do. The expectations for the team are to be accountable and show up every day eager to learn and get better. That is how we want our players to think and approach every day." Returning starters from last year are Cooper Reece (6-5), Boston Dowd (6-0) and Blake Gravette (5-10). Dowd and Gravette will interchange roles as shooting and point guards, while Reece will be counted on for scoring from inside even though he is a knock- down shooter from the outside. "This year we are going to have a lot more length," Fields said. "All three of our returning starters are bigger and stronger than last year. They are quicker and their skills are much improved. Boston will be one of our floor gener- als. He is smart and picks up on things quick. His being bigger and stronger will allow him to defend a little bit better. He has also been shooting the ball well, so we will count on getting some scoring 417-223-3232 LA OFICINA HABLA ESPAÑOL www.GeedingLaw.com 204 S. Jesse James Rd. Pineville, MO GOOD LUCK Mustangs! Thursday, November 30, 2017 McDonald County Press 5C W i n t e r S p o r t S p r e v i e W Mustangs Look For Better Results In 2017-18 Season Rick Peck SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS RICK PECK/SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS The 2017-2018 McDonald County High School boys' basketball team. SEE MUSTANGS PAGE 8C