Dodson Coyote Basketball 2015

Numbers have not been kind to the Dodson Coyotes who haven't won a game in the past two seasons. This is a trend Coach Wes KillEagle hopes to change this season.

"We haven't won a game in two years, so that's our goal," he said.

This season the team lists ten athletes on their roster, including seven returning players. With only one senior and one junior, the team will still be quite young, but with the talent the team boasts, the town of Dodson may be in for a competitive show.

Their lone senior is Lane Walling, who has a great jump shot from long range.

"He's a hard worker," Coach KillEagle said. "He can hit the three-pointer. He's improved a lot over the year last season. He has worked hard and improved a lot over the summer."

The team's lone junior is Cleo Cole, who is a transfer student from Hays-Lodgepole.

"So far he's big and strong and he's going to make a good addition to our inside game," Coach KillEagle said.

The team's four sophomores are all returning players. Those players including Stephen Ereaux, Jasper Doney, David Jaynes and Cain Wing.

Ereaux played more of a forward role last season and seems to be growing into his new height.

"He's wanting it more," Coach KillEagle said. "He's been working harder and his focus is a lot better this year."

If there has been a player on Dodson's team that has put in hours at the gym, it has been Doney, who has been working on both his ball-handling and endurance.

"Jasper worked hard all summer long, he's slimmed down and bulked up," Coach KillEagle said. "I'm excited for him. He's put in the work during the summer."

Doney ran cross country last fall to prepare for basketball, a move that is paying off.

"It's benefitted him pretty good," Coach KillEagle said. "He's worked harder in practice. He's able to go through all of the drills. He's one of the first one's done during blood runs. I think he'll be able to play a full game without having a problem."

Jaynes is another player trying to fit into bigger shoes last season. He eventually came around and proved to be a leader on the team.

"He is wanting to go the extra mile to do what it takes," Coach KillEagle said.

Cain Wing only played a couple of games last season, but Coach KillEagle noted that Wing showed a lot of heart in those games.

The freshmen class features two young men who shined in Coach KillEagle's isolation based offense. Those players, Tyrese Messerly and Gavin Fox displayed great defense and skills off the pick and roll as well.

"Tyrese grew about an inch over the summer," Coach KillEagle said. "He's improved his game quite a bit, we are working on his shot right now but his ball-handling is almost on point and he's ready to go."

Fox shined as an eighth grader, attacking the rim and displaying all of the attributes of a modern point guard.

"He's really bulked up over the summer," Coach KillEagle said. "He hit the weights pretty hard. His dad said he's out running the mountains. He said he couldn't stop him from working out. I also think he's a little more disciplined and calmer."

The team also welcomes Shawn Ball and Corbain LoneBear, who are both eighth graders this season.