Boys Basketball Fights Through Uphill Battle (Season Recap)

Sullivan’s boys basketball team finished with a 4-22 record last year. The Eagles looked to win their third consecutive district championship but found themselves in an uphill battle throughout the year. Despite the challenges, Sullivan never backed down from any opponent and stayed competitive until the buzzer sounded.

Sullivan’s four victories were a 56-48 beating over Russellville, a 46-41 win against Hancock, a 43-39 overtime victory over St. Clair and a 64-33 courtwarming sweep of New Haven.

Dino McKinney coached his thirteenth and final season for the Eagles, leaving the position with 303 career wins. He led Sullivan to three district titles and their first state playoff berth in sixteen years. 

Eagles guard Chris Glaser earned First-Team All-Conference honors, tying for third place in the Four Rivers point totals. The junior joined the court seven games in and dropped 30 points to beat Russellville for Sullivan’s first victory.

Glaser helped push Sullivan through tight battles and ended the season as their top scorer. He led the Eagles with a team-high 306 points, making 38.6% (97-251) of his field shots and 69.4% (50-72) of his free throws. Glaser also grabbed 78 rebounds, 23 assists and 22 steals. 

Peyton Malady started all 26 games for the Eagles and was their second-highest scorer with 193 points. The sophomore guard shot an average of 7.4 points per game while executing 66.7% (18-27) of his free throws. He also had 68 rebounds, 25 assists and 25 steals.

Landen Doza landed 93 points, 54 rebounds, 16 assists and 14 steals. As a rookie guard, he stepped up on the court during crucial moments. The highlight of his freshman year came when he scored the tying goal against St. Clair to send the game into overtime and win 43-39.

Seth Valley rallied the Eagles to close contests against tough teams. He led Sullivan with 112 rebounds and 54 assists while also tallying 122 points and 29 steals. The junior guard delivered 46.4% (45-97) of his field goals. 

Seniors Max Avery and Matthew Mallory earned spots on the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State team. 

Avery stacked up 108 rebounds, 95 points, 31 assists and 20 steals. 

Mallory logged 75 points, 23 assists, 19 rebounds and ten steals.

Mitchell Garner garnered 41 rebounds, 40 points, 16 assists and four steals in 25 games.

Nolan Ulrich appeared in 11 matches and pulled off six points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Braxton Breen racked up 11 rebounds, 4 points and two steals in his nine appearances.

Spencer Thomure was added to the varsity rotation a few times during his freshman year. He scored three points in total.

In his seven appearances, Raiden Redd recorded five points, three steals and two rebounds.

Ian Tutterow played the first two games until an injury halted his senior season, but he still kept his team’s morale high on the bench. He notched nine rebounds and five points during his short stint on the court.

Cambrian Koch also started the Eagles’ first two games. He logged 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.