Puxico rebounding its way to yet another tourney title

It’s another week in the Puxico High School varsity boy’s basketball season, which means there must be another tournament for the ultra-hot Indians to seize.

Puxico won its 16th consecutive game on Saturday with a 100-34 throttling of Clearwater in the opening round of the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament at Clearwater.

The Indians (21-1) will face Doniphan (11-8) on Monday at 4 p.m. in a semifinal, with the winner advancing to Friday’s title game at the Libla Family Sports Complex at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff at 8 p.m.

The loser of Monday’s game will play in the third-place game at Three Rivers on Thursday at 8 p.m.

If Puxico is able to win its third tournament of the season after claiming titles in the Bloofield Christmas Tournament, as well as the recent Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament, its propensity to rebound well will be a key part of that success.

“We have been trying to hit (rebounding) hard,” fourth-year Puxico coach Bryant Fernetti said recently. “Especially since Christmas, because I felt like a couple of times (in the Bloomfield event), we didn’t really rebound that well.”

That hasn’t been much of an issue during the recent win streak.

The Indians, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 2, have beaten Class 4 Dexter three times since Dec. 30, Twin Rivers, Doniphan, Greenville, and Bell City, none of whom have a losing record this season, as well as Class 3 No. 6-ranked Woodland and Class 1 No. 8-ranked Richland (Essex).

Fernetti said his defensive strategy, which has varied this season, plays a role in how well his team will grab the errant missed shots.

“When we’re in a triangle-and-two or a box-and-one,” Fernetti explained, “it’s harder to rebound out of a zone (defense).”

The Indians do have 6-foot-4 post Scyler Zimmerman to rebound, but Fernetti teaches a team rebounding philosophy that involves everyone with the exception of one guy getting back from the offensive end.

Puxico will rely on seniors Mason Parsley and Jerrett Powell from the guard position to rebound, as well as junior guards Karsen Long and Jett Hancock.

Senior forward Kaysen Long is a menace, not only with his rebounding, but overall, at the defensive end.

“Kaysen can guard anybody,” Fernetti explained, “one through five.”

Following the OFC Tournament this week, Puxico will have some time off until closing its regular season on Feb. 18 with a home game against Woodland (18-3), which it recently topped 76-42 to win the SCAA Tournament.