Juniors bidding for varsity playing time include 6-4 Michael Bethune, 5-11 Jeril Thomas and 6-1 Jonathan Warden.

Sophomores in the mix — “they are coming off a very successful freshman season at 17-3,” Spiers noted — are 5-10 D’Andre Baker, 6-5 Philip Davis, 6-3 Matt McCreary and 6-3 Dereck Stokes.

“Everyone is falling into place — where they should be playing — with the return of L.T. (Taylor),” Spiers said. “His job is to run the team and get the ball into the hands of the right people.

“Our main concerns are execution and team chemistry,” Spiers said. “Our No. 1 goal is to improve on the defensive end. We want to play a more up-tempo style on offense.

“I want to see four or five players averaging 7-9 points rather than one averaging 20,” Spiers said. “That way, of course, the opposing defense can’t key on one person. I believe we can achieve that scoring balance.”

Notes: Spiers, in his third year as head coach, returns the same assistants (Steve Wells, Sean McWilliams). ... Spiers believes defending champion Kickapoo (26-2 overall last season) and Waynesville (22-4) are the teams to beat in the Ozark Conference. Those teams won district titles last season and Kickapoo beat Waynesville 52-47 in the sectional round of Class 5. Eventual third-place finisher Fort Zumwalt South then ousted the Chiefs 48-47 in the quarterfinals. ... Joplin doesn’t play its first varsity home game in Kaminsky Gymnasium until Dec. 14 against Republic. The Eagles, following the Carthage Tournament, visit Nixa on Dec. 7 and McDonald County on Dec. 10.