Gray looks to tap into Tigers immense potential

Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Nevada Tigers head basketball coach Shaun Gray. (Photo by Matt Resnick/Daily Mail)

With the core group of its team returning plus impact newcomers sprinkled in, big things could lie ahead for Shaun Gray's Nevada Tiger basketball team as the season quickly approaches.

Gray, whose Tigers finished 14-11 a year ago, is eyeing the program's first 20-win season since the 1998-99 campaign.

"We are looking to build on the growth we saw last season. We expect to be very competitive night-in and night-out," Gray, who is entering his third season said.

Nevada gets its first test Nov. 17 when they play at the Seneca Jamboree. The Tigers then open the season Nov. 22 as they host St. Pius X.

Gray's Tiger basketball program began official practices Oct. 31.

"Our goals are to focus on the process of being the best players and team we can be," he said. "We know that if we focus on the process we will allow ourselves to maximize our potential. This group has a chance to be one of the most competitive in recent years, and we are excited about the opportunity to reach our full potential."

The Tigers non conference slate includes tournaments in Carthage, Frontenac (Kan.) and Clinton. The 2016-17 season marks the Tigers third year in the West Central Conference. In conference play, Nevada will matchup twice each with Warrensburg, Sedalia, Clinton, Kansas City Center, St. Pius X, and Archbishop O'Hara.

"We feel like if we gel we have the potential to be at the top of our conference standings," Gray said, "and compete for championships in each of our three regular season tournaments ---- as well as get to a district title game and put ourselves in position to advance into the playoffs for the first time in 18 years."

Gray added that he expects the WCC to be well-balanced and very competitive.

"There's no easy games or weak teams," he said. "Defending champ O'Hara lost three All-Conference players and the player of the year (Dezmond McDaniel) but has reloaded with skill and athleticism, and will be very tough to beat."

Gray continued, "K.C. Center is probably the favorite, with a lot of returning skill, athleticism, and depth. Smith-Cotton, Pius, Warrensburg, and Clinton all have most of their players returning from a year ago and will be very good. I think we have a chance to be at the top of the conference if we can maximize our potential and play with chemistry and intensity. But it will be a fight among seven quality teams."

OFFSEASON WORKOUTS

Gray said Nevada High School student-athletes who are members of the varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams put in a tremendous amount of skill work during the offseason.

"More than ever before, we have many athletes doing individual workouts throughout the offseason," he said. "That is the key to maximizing player development. The individual work, combined with the 20 days of summer teamwork, as well as participating in the summer athletic conditioning program, has yielded big improvements from all of our players."

Gray noted, "During the fall, all of our players have either been competing in a sport or attending our preseason conditioning work while also doing their individual skill work. The work put in over the past eight months has been the most we have ever had, and I think it will show this season."

Nevada returns All-District selections Clay Gayman, a junior combo forward, and point guard Matt Sommer, and also welcomes back senior sharpshooter Myles McNeley.

"Our fans can look forward to seeing a group who can score and will be extremely hard to guard," Gray said.

In addition to Gayman and Sommer who can fill it up on a nightly basis, Nevada is an athletic team with an array of players who can attack the basket.

"Defenses will not be able to play off or relax at any point," Gray said. "We will run several sets to get our best scorers good scoring opportunities. We will also run a lot of motion (offense) to utilize and get all of our primary scoring pieces involved."

With Gayman, a 6-foot-6 shot blocking machine anchoring Nevada's defense, Gray said it will be difficult to score on the Tigers.

'We have several forwards with length that will close down the paint," Gray said, "and hard-nosed athletic guards that will pressure the ball."

Gray said his primary defense is the "pressure pack line," a variation of the man-to-man defense.

"We believe it will give us the best chance to stop the top teams on our schedule," he said. "But we will mix defenses as each matchup dictates."

Gray said fans of Nevada Tiger basketball will be in for a treat this season.

"This is a group that loves to compete," he said. "We will see a group that hits the floor with an intensity and a competitive edge that will be hard for our opponents to match. It should be a very enjoyable experience for all of the Tiger faithful that pack into Wynn Gym and follow us on the road this season."

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Gray provided an in-depth look at the 2016-17 Nevada basketball roster (in order of class).

* Matthew Sommer, 6-0, Sr. guard: Extremely explosive in the open floor with great open court vision; very strong attacking the basket; a very good shooter whose shot has improved during the offseason.

Sommer is also very good at drawing contact and is an excellent free throw shooter.

"Our primary ball handler over the past two years, Matt is very strong with the dribble and he continues to improve his passing," Gray said. "I look for this to be his best year distributing the ball. He knows he has to continue to improve on the defensive end by staying aggressive at both ends of the floor and maintaining intensity both physically and mentally."

* Myles McNeley, 5-9, Sr. guard: Team's top perimeter shooter, with a very quick release and high motor that allows him to get open.

"Defensively, no one plays harder," Gray said. "His effort on defense is contagious, and he very often draws the toughest defensive assignment and relishes that challenge."

Gray continued, "He brings an edge of toughness to our team that I love. He continues to work to develop his ability to score in the mid-range as well as his ability to complete passes against lengthier defenders, and stay out of foul trouble."

* Patrick Ferry, 6-5, Sr. forward: Very skilled forward who can shoot from mid-range as well as score with a variety of moves in the paint; utilizes his left-handed advantage well and is working to be able to knock down perimeter shots with consistency when left open.

"He has very good timing that allows him to contest and block shots as well as be a solid rebounder," Gray said. "Patrick is working to become a more intense player physically and mentally, who defends hard and plays aggressively at both ends of the floor."

* Clay Gayman, 6-6, Jr. forward: A force at both ends of the floor, Gayman is a tireless worker who continues to improve and expand his game; an invaluable rim protector and rebounder that holds down the center of our defense as well having the ability to guard a variety of positions on the perimeter.

"Offensively, he has a variety of post moves and is almost unguardable in a one-on-one situation deep in the paint," Gray marveled. "Clay has also developed into a very good outside shooter.

"He has shown huge growth in his quickness over the offseason and has above-average ability to attack the basket as well as score at the mid-range level. He is striving to be able to stay out of foul trouble as well as working to be able to move on mentally after mistakes or missteps."

* Hunter Mason, 6-3, Jr. forward: A high motor and energy player that provides Nevada a lengthy and versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions.

"Hunter has worked offensively to improve his jump shot and gain the ability to shoot from outside when left open," Gray said. "The energy he brings is contagious and allows him to create turnovers as well as grab offensive boards. The hustle plays he creates make a huge difference for our team. He is working to stay confident at the offensive end as well as working to improve his free throw and perimeter shooting touch."

* Zach Gardner, 6-1, Jr. guard-forward: A very athletic and physical player who was a bruising tailback on the gridiron.

"Zach brings strength and toughness at the defensive end as well as good shooting and ball handling ability at the offensive end," Gray said. "He is a very good set shooter and is working to be able to score with body control when attacking the basket. He can guard multiple positions and play both guard and forward on offense. He is striving to stay confident and not let mistakes take him out of rhythm."

* Braeden Hinton, 6-2, Jr. wing forward: Very Skilled and smooth wing player; shoots it with feathery touch and is able to handle the ball.

"Braeden has the ability to post up and score inside," Gray said. "He is a very smart player that understands the game. His length and basketball IQ are big assets for us. He is working to be able to defend multiple positions on defense through improved foot speed and lateral quickness."

See the Daily Mail's upcoming winter sports preview section for an in-depth look at the Nevada Tigers talented sophomore class

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