POCOLA INDIANS

BOYS

Coach: Derek Barlow

22-23 Record: 22-8

After back-to-back state tournament appearances, the Pocola Indians are hoping they have what it takes to push into the throne room and take the gold ball this season. “We are very excited about the upcoming season and hope to build off the last two years momentum” says head coach Derek Barlow. “We return all but one player from last year’s team and feel like we will be a highly competitive basketball team.” Three of the returning starters account for nearly 50 points a game in offense starting with VYPE Top 100 player Garrett Scott (6-3, Sr.) who averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game last year. He’s joined by another VYPE Top 100 choice in Dakotah Terrell (6-9, Jr.) who after averaging a double-double last year with 18 points and 10 rebounds a game while controlling the paint for Pocola continues to draw major college recruiting offers.

Austin Hardwick (5-9, Sr.) will again be one of the guards and he contributed 10 points a game last year. “Garrett has improved every facet of his game since last season in preparation for the 2023 campaign. He’s a four-year starter for us who also excels in football and in the classroom. He rebounds well and often has to guard the other team’s best player,” said Barlow. “Dakotah is still a work in progress who has yet to reach his potential I feel. He works hard to improve his game and I think that will be obvious to people who see him play this year. His perimeter shooting has improved which will force defenders to have to pick him up at the 3-point line this year. Austin does so many of the little things that help us be successful. He defends well and pulls down a lot of rebounds for a kid his size. He’s really a spark for us and anytime he has to come out of the game we can feel it immediately,” Drew Jones is what coaches call a program kid who according to Barlow has worked hard to go from a skinny freshman to a strong contributor. Other important pieces of the puzzle for Pocola will be juniors A.J. Lyons-Jerrell (6-1, 220), Hayden Chaffey (6-3) and Chris Pugh (6-0), along with sophomores Jackson Parker (6-0), DaQuayne Terrell (5-11) and Brayden Hardwick (5-10) who averaged 8 points a game last year. “Brayden started for us last year as a 14-year-old and has gained a lot of experience playing AAU ball. He had a great summer, and we expect him to have a great sophomore season,” said Barlow. Freshmen that will gain experience with this veteran team and add depth include Brock Brittain (6-0), Ty Jerrell (5-11) and Logan Huddleson (5-9).