MADRON, ALEXANDER LEAD MCPHERSON INTO 2020-21

By William

MCPHERSON – One thing that the McPherson Bullpup boys basketball team will bring to the hardwood in 2020-21 will be versatility and outside shooting according to Head Coach Kurt Kinnamon.

Coach Kinnamon in his preseason reflections voiced both as the team strengths since he knows he has several players who can play a variety of positions while most of the team can shoot the long ball when necessary.

The 2019-20 season almost seemed like an off year for the Bullpups as they finished just 13-8 for the season before losing to Emporia in the first round of the state sub-state playoffs.

An off year because you have to remember that Coach Kinnamon, who is beginning his 26th season at the helm, has a career mark in McPherson of 498 wins and just 93 losses while directing the Bullpups to six state titles and 17 state tournament appearances.

Only three major players were lost from the 2019-20 team to graduation, including Cooper Courtney, Hayes Schmid, the feel good story for his recovery from cancer to start for the Bullpups, and of course Cody Stufflebean who now plays for the Kansas State football team.

What Coach Kinnamon does have returning are senior Jayton Alexander and junior Seth Madron. Between the two of them, the Bullpups will return 18.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 3.9 steals per game, a solid nucleus to build a team around.

Among the several other returning letter winners will be senior Adam Elliott and junior Eli Pyle, who hit for 6.7 points per game and shot 43.3% from beyond the three-point line in 2019-20.

Barring any changes in the schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Bullpups will hit the road running on Friday, December 4 when they travel to Andover before returning home for three straight home games against rival Newton on Tuesday, December 8, El Dorado on Tuesday, December 15 and then Dodge City on Friday, December 18.

Here is a season preview of the 2020-21 McPherson Bullpups:

OPENING 2 WEEKS OF THE SEASON:

  • Open the season on Friday, December 4 on the road at Andover
  • Tuesday, December 8 – Play at home hosting Newton
  • Tuesday, December 15 – Play at home hosting El Dorado
  • Friday, December 18 – Play at home hosting Dodge City

WHAT DOES COACH KURT KINNAMON BRING TO THE BENCH?

  • Bullpups Head Coach Kurt Kinnamon begins his 26th year as head of the Bullpup boys program.
  • Coach Kinnamon has 28 seasons as a head coach and 33 years of coaching.
  • Coach Kinnamon led the Bullpups to a 13-8 overall record in 2019-20 while going 9-1 and being AVCTL Division 3 League Champions. The Bullpups lost to Emporia in the first round of the state sub-state playoffs.
  • Coach Kinnamon has an overall record of 523-109 and that includes being 25-16 in two seasons at Canton/Galva before going 498-93 at the helm of the Bullpups.
  • Coach Kinnamon had directed the Bullpups to six (6) state titles in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2014, and 2015 while making 17 state tournament appearances.
  • Coach Kinnamon is assisted by Dustan Kanitz (his 15th season), Brandt Busse (his 6th season), and Treg Fawl (his 6th season).

NOTES ABOUT MCPHERSON BULLPUP BASKETBALL HISTORY:

  • Since 1937 the McPherson Bullpups have a record of 1,416-437 (76%).
  • At home since 1937 the McPherson Bullpups are 751-148 (83%)
  • In the Roundhouse, the Bullpups are 596-98 (86%)
  • Last time the Bullpups finished below .500 for the season was in 1982-83.
  • The Bullpups have never had a sub .500 home record since 1937.
  • Since 1937 the Bullpups have had just 5 head coaches.
  • J.P. Randle coached the Bullpups for 19 seasons and went 310-158.
  • Harold Johnson coached the Bullpups just one season and went 3-16.
  • Jay Frazier coached the Bullpups for 26 seasons and had a record of 409-160 while winning three state championships.
  • Mike Henson coached the Bullpups for 12 seasons and had a record of 250-34 while winning four state championships.
  • Coach Kinnamon has coached the Bullpups for 25 years; his record is shown above.
  • The Bullpups have made 45 state tournament appearances.
  • The Bullpups have been State Champions 13 times – 1972, 1973, 1974, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2014, 2015.
  • The Bullpups have finished as state runner-up 10 times – 1946, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1975, 1989, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018.

WHO DOES NOT RETURN FOR THE MCPHERSON BULLPUPS?

  • Cody Stufflebean, a starter who now plays football for Kansas State.
  • Cooper Courtney, a starter.
  • Hayes Schmid, a starter who overcame cancer to start for the Bullpups as a senior.

WHO DOES RETURN FOR THE MCPHERSON BULLPUPS?

The McPherson Bullpups will return the following starting players:

RETURNEES & NEWCOMER(S) THAT MAY SEE PLAYING TIME?

Among the other returnees and newcomers that Coach Kinnamon is counting on to contribute are:

  • Adam Elliott, a 6’0” senior who averaged 2.3 point per game in 2019-20.
  • Eli Pyle, a 5’10” junior who averaged 6.7 points and shot 43.3% from the three-point line in 2019-20.
  • Trey Buckbee, a 6’3” junior.
  • Jayden Dukes, a 6’0” junior.
  • Darriene Gibbs, a 6’3” junior.

WHAT COACH KINNAMON IS SAYING ABOUT THE UPCOMING 2020-21 BULLPUP SEASON?

GENERAL OUTLOOK:

  • “I see one of our strengths as being our perimeter shooting, this team should be an extremely good outside shooting team in 2020-21.”
  • “Versatility will be another of our strong points as there are several guys that are interchangeable and can play a variety of positions.”

OVERALL OUTLOOK FOR THE 2020-21 SEASON:

  • “I definitely see the Bullpups as a top team in the AVCTL Division 3.”
  • “I anticipate a possible final finish of the AVCTL Division 3 as being us, Buhler in second, Augusta third, Circle in fourth and Winfield finishing fifth.”
  • “As for the top teams to watch for in Class 4A it would have to be Bishop Miege, Andale, Buhler and Paola.”

{McPherson Bullpup Activity Postings is in need of WINTER SPORT SPONSORS to cover costs – low as $8/week – inquiry with William at crossdovewriter@gmail.com}

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