Shawnee boys’ squad returns three starters

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Shawnee High School boys’ basketball coach Codie Smith takes over a program that lost leading scorer Aiden McMahan to graduation last year.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">However, three starters return from last year’s squad, which finished 11-14.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The top three returning  for the Redskins are senior Michael Crane, a 5-10 guard; and juniors Dylan Boston, a 6-0 forward, and Lucas Matlock, a 6-2 forward.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">This will be the first full season that Smith is in charge. He took over last year at midseason  when head coach LaDonna Bachmann had to resign because of a medical issue.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Other seniors on the squad are Jayson Rose, a 5-10 guard; and Nick Baltzell, a 5-9 guard.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Juniors who saw varsity action last season are Nick Crane, a 5-9 guard; Brady Reynolds, a 5-11 forward; Daniel Parris, a 6-4 center; and Tyler Park, a 6-1 forward.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Smith looks for Shawnee to be able to compete in the South Egyptian Conference this season.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We should be in the race,” he said. “We definitely should finish in the top half of the conference.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">He sees Meridian at the top of the league, with Century, Cobden and the Redskins being competitive.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Shawnee finished 6-3 overall in the league last season.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"> The Redskins are scheduled to open their season this week in the Trico Invitational.</span></p>