New coach with fresh ideas aims to make a difference
In the 2021-22 season, the Batesville Pioneers did not win a single 5A-East conference game, ending the season 0-14 in conference and 4-24 overall, but new head coach Cody Matheny, with the help of veteran assistant coach Garrett Eoff, is coming in strong and is highly enthusiastic to have a better turnout this year.
“I am excited to be here at Batesville,” Matheny said. “I feel like I have great support from the administrators and all the other coaches on campus. I think I have a chance to do well if I can get things in order.”
Matheny said he hopes the four returning starters bring experience to the younger players. Returning to the court this year are senior guard Cory Cotherine, 5-10; senior post Jeremiah Strickland, 6-4; junior center Shane Dunlap, 6-4; and junior guard Matthew Hendrix, 6-1, who the coach said is a great shooter and outside player.
“[Cotherine] is a good facilitator and sees the floor well,” Matheny said. “He will be able to handle it well for us, and I think he will be a good shooter.”
The coach said Strickland is a solid rebounder and defender and can make things happen on the court due to his height and athleticism.
“[Dunlap] is always in the right play at the right time,” he said. “He’s a great charge-taker and probably one of the best we’ve ever had. He’s that old-school, undersized post player who gets a little wormy around the basket and finds a way to wheel it in.”
Matheny said last season has stayed in the past, and his players continue to be motivated to improve, and their determination is evident.
“One thing I am excited about is the guys’ hunger to get better and their energy every day,” he said. “They come into the gym just ready to go, and they really enjoy practice. … That’s a big first step in getting things going in the right direction.”
Despite 5A-East being a tough league with teams such as the Marian Patriots and the West Memphis Blue Devils, Matheny said he knows his team’s cohesiveness will be a huge contributor.
“I feel like they really enjoy being around each other and work really well together,” Matheny said. “They hold each other accountable.”
With that in mind, he said every game will be vital to the Pioneers’ growth. The coach acknowledges that this season will be a challenge but is preparing his team by building a foundation that the players can feel comfortable with.
“I just hope to be able to give them a good experience from a coaching and season standpoint,” he said. “Just because last year went the way it did, we are not accepting that. We want to get better and do what we can to win some games. … The seniors are doing a really good job of leading by example and being vocal in practice. … This is the first time there has been a coaching change in a while, and they’ve responded well, so that’s a credit to them.”
Both Matheny and Eoff are thrilled for their players to find their groove and become more skilled while still enjoying the game of basketball and growing as members of society.
“The thing we are trying to accomplish the most is getting our culture established,” Matheny said. “We believe in doing what’s right … that will take you far in life, on or off the court.”