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Youth movement aims to keep Portageville Bulldogs’ winning tradition alive
Standing at a critical juncture after graduating a significant portion of its roster, the Portageville boys’ basketball team must now rely on a mix of returning talent and promising newcomers to maintain its reputation as a consistent winner.
Like many teams from the Bootheel, the Bulldogs face the challenge of rebuilding after losing key players. Yet, this transition opens the door for new playmakers to emerge and uphold the program’s longevity.
“We are going to be young this year,” said third-year coach TJ Smith. “We only have four upperclassmen and a lot of young guys to go with them. They have been practicing hard, working on their game. We will have to find our identity, who is going to contribute what, and go from there. I look to lean on our older guys early and try to ease the young ones in as we go. We will have to have a few of the young guys step up for us to be successful.”
Portageville’s lone returning starter is senior Xayvion Bogan, a 5-foot-8 guard who averaged 10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals last season.
Bogan is a clever scorer, known for his creativity and quickness on the court. His exceptional ball-handling skills allow him to navigate defenses effectively, making him a pivotal player in the Bulldogs’ lineup.
“Bogan is an excellent scorer from anywhere on the court,” Smith said. “His ability to handle the ball and create his own shot makes him a problem for opposing defenses.”
Joining Bogan is senior Huston Partin, a 6-foot forward who did not play last season but brings athleticism and a relentless defensive mindset. Partin’s ability to make shots could prove crucial if opponents allow him to find his rhythm.
“Partin brings some great athleticism to the team,” Smith said. “He will be a great defender. He can also shoot it. Despite not playing for a year, his jump shot is still pretty good. I am hoping he can have a big impact for us this year.”
Junior Antonio ‘Duece’ Hickenbottom, a 5-foot-11 guard, also returns after playing some varsity minutes last season, including significant contributions in the Bootheel Athletic Conference Tournament. Hickenbottom’s speed and toughness make him a valuable asset in handling the ball and potentially boosting the team’s scoring capabilities.
“Duece will handle the ball some, guard tough, and hopefully do some scoring for us,” Smith said.
Eli Wheeler, a 6-foot-2 junior forward, has the potential to be a solid post presence for the Bulldogs. His development will be crucial as the team looks to establish a strong interior game.
“He’s not really tall, but he is a strong kid who understands how to play down low,” Smith said.
Portageville will also lean heavily on a promising group of sophomores expected to play significant minutes. This young core, featuring a 6-foot-6 post presence and several skilled guards, has the potential to make an immediate impact. Their ability to develop quickly and contribute at a high level could be a major factor.
“We will have to lean on them for some heavy minutes,” Smith said. “But the potential to be competitive is there with this group.”
The team aims to be competitive in all tournaments they enter, starting with the Gideon Bulldog Classic, followed by the Clarkton Christmas Tourney and the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament. Smith’s ambition is not just participation but potentially playing for the championship in a couple of these events.
Smith believes that the non-conference schedule will provide an opportunity for the team to learn and grow. He hopes that by the time conference play rolls around, they will have made significant strides and be ready to compete at a high level.
“So far, and it’s still early, this has been a pleasant group,” he concluded. “ They are eager to learn and want to work hard. As a coach that’s all I can ask for. I hope that all of our work pays off and we can make a little rumble in the postseason.”
Portageville opens in the Gideon Bulldogs Classic on Dec. 2 and will compete in Class 3, District 1 this season.