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East Prairie Eagles set sights on historic season
As the winter chill descends upon southeast Missouri, the East Prairie boys’ basketball team is warming up for what promises to be a historic season.
Coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons—an unprecedented feat in the school’s history—the Eagles are poised to soar higher with their veteran core.
Led by seniors Connor Marcum and Noah Johnson, the team is not just aiming for another successful season; they are eyeing their first-ever Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, district championship and more.
“Our goals are to compete as hard as we can for as long as we can and try to get better every day,” said We want to take it one game at a time and see how we end up.”
The Eagles’ roster is anchored by returning starters who bring both skill and experience to the court.
Marcum, the dynamic point guard, averaged 15.8 points per game last season. Standing close to six feet, Marcum is known for his relentless motor and playmaking abilities.
Marcum’s explosive first step and elite ball-handling skills make him a problem for defenders.
His athletic prowess was also recognized on the football field, where he earned first-team All-SEMO Conference-Central honors.
Johnson, a forward who runs the floor exceptionally well for his size, averaged 16.8 points per game last season. At approximately 6-foot-3, Johnson combines his athleticism with a strong presence in the paint.
His commitment to play college basketball at SIU-Edwardsville underscores his talent and potential.
Meanwhile, senior guard Ty Wallace, standing around 6-foot-1 or 6-foot-2, is a sharpshooter with a knack for excelling across multiple sports, including football and baseball.
The team will also look to senior Tripp Shoemaker, junior Pyper Rendon, and sophomore Carson Groves, who all gained valuable varsity experience last year.
Tavion Ware, a junior and another dual-sport athlete, is expected to make significant contributions, having been a standout running back and an all-conference selection in football.
Despite the promising lineup, the Eagles face the challenge of filling the void left by key losses, including Evan Kenedy and Kamron Farmer. Scott acknowledges the need for improvement in shooting, a focus in their daily practices.
“We have to shoot the ball better,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of offensive efficiency. “
Defensively, the Eagles aim to force opponents into contested jumpers and dominate the boards.
Their strategy revolves around an uptempo style of play, leveraging their athleticism to run the court and apply pressure on both ends.
With a veteran team comprising four senior starters, East Prairie’s experience in high-stakes games is expected to be a significant advantage.
This seasoned group is well-prepared to navigate close contests, drawing on their collective experience to execute under pressure.
As the season unfolds, fans will be watching closely as Marcum and Johnson approach the 1,000-point milestone, each needing around 150 points to reach this career achievement.
“These guys have played in a lot of big games,” Scott concluded. “Hopefully their experience will show in the close games.”
East Prairie opens the season at the Gideon Bulldogs Classic on Dec. 2, where the Eagles will look to defend their title after winning the championship game of last year’s tournament 47-44 over Kennett.
This tournament will serve as an early test of the team’s readiness and a chance to showcase their potential as they embark on what could be a landmark season.
East Prairie will compete in Class 3, District 1 this season.