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Confidence from diamond provides boost to Wright’s aggressiveness on hardwood

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Devyn Wright is about as good an example as anyone at Ozark of confidence from one sport transferring to another.

Wright has filled a need for the Tigers as a scorer off the bench and in the paint, after seeing limited minutes, mostly mop-up, last season.

It shouldn’t be underestimated what Wright’s breakout junior season on the ball diamond last spring has meant to him on the hardwood. One reason for the aggressiveness he has shown while playing with a basketball in his hands is the success he had with a bat in his hands. 

The center-fielder responded well to being moved to the lead-off spot in Ozark’s order and earned an All-COC Second-Team selection.

“I was happy with the season I had last year,” Wright said. “That gave me confidence for everything.”

Timid to go to the basket a year ago, Wright has shown no hesitation to create his own shot this time around. 

“I look to score, especially if I’m in the paint,” he said. “I’m trying to get the best shot I can for the team. 

“He’s really come on this year,” coach Mark Schweitzer said. “He’s looking to score. His points are usually huge for us. They are typically momentum-getters. He’ll get a bucket a lot of times when we don’t have momentum. He’ll switch the momentum.”

With Ozark featuring star seniors Ethan Whatley and Tyler Harmon, Wright can slip under the radar. For instance, opposing scouting reports often don’t warn their players he shoots left-handed. Thus, Wright often catches defenders leaning right while he goes left.  

“Teams are starting to figure that out,” he said. “At the beginning of the game, they don’t know I’m left-handed. But toward the end of the game, they definitely know I’m left-handed.”

“His buckets are rips left-handed because they’re guarding his right hand because 95 percent of basketball players are right-handed,” Whatley said. “They’re not used to that left-handed rip.”
Schweitzer notes Wright may not start, but he usually on the court at the finish.

“I feel like I’ve got seven kids who could start,” Schweitzer said. “(Jace) Easley and Devyn could both start. Devyn has been playing starter minutes. When we have a close game, he’s been getting minutes in the fourth quarter the majority of the time.” 

“That’s been nice,” Wright said. “I definitely want to be in when it counts the most.”


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