Turns out Ozark is about to have another connection to West Plains' 1996 state runner-up squad.
Four years after Steve Hunter led the Zizzers to the Class 4A state championship game, he arrived at Ozark and coached the Tigers to six District championships and three Final Four berths from 2000-2014.
Two of Hunter's players at West Plains in the 1995-1996 season were Mark Garner and Brent Roberts. This season, their sons, Jake Garner and Hudson Roberts, are preparing for their varsity debut for Ozark at this week's Republic Tournament.
"It's crazy, odds are not likely that would happen," Jake said of him and Hudson having fathers who were also teammates at a school 100 miles away.
Garner and Roberts were teammates and friends 26 years ago and the same holds true today.
"Me and Jake are good friends and our dads were good friends in high school and on the court, too," Hudson said. "Me and Jake click together. I like having him as a teammate."
The fact that Mark Garner and Brent Roberts settled down in Ozark was coincidental. Their moves to Ozark were about 10 years apart.
Mark left West Plains after high school to attend Drury.
"He has been here ever since. He liked it here and got a job here," Jake said. "My grandparents stayed in West Plains for a while, but eventually moved here, too."
Brent made the move to Ozark just in time to welcome Hudson to the world.
"He moved over here when I was born," Hudson said. "My grandparents still live in West Plains, so we go over and visit them for the holidays."
Jake's great uncle, Gary Garner, played at West Plains and Mizzou. He currently coaches at Dakota State and previously was a head coach at Drake, Southeast Missouri State and Missouri Southern.
Ozark and West Plains aren't scheduled to face off this season, but could meet at the Republic Tournament or the Blue & Gold Tournament. When Jake and Hudson have played against the Zizzers, it's always been a special game for them.
"Since I have family over there, it's fun to talk to them about what it would be like if I was there playing," Hudson said.
"Last year when we played them in basketball, Hudson and I were talking about how we're playing against our dads' school," Jake said. "It was definitely a sweet feeling to beat them."
Naturally, Mark and Brent enjoy reliving their high school success with their sons and with each other.
"They catch up and talk in the stands about how they used to win," Hudson said.
"He talks with me about his glory days, as he puts it," Jake said. "I hear a lot about it. It's neat to hear."
Hudson, a sophomore guard, and Jake, a junior forward, will be motivated during their Ozark careers to try to make their own glory days even a bit grander than their fathers' careers.
"You've got to do better than the rest of your family," Hudson said.
"We're young and athletic," Garner said of the Tigers, who welcome back just one starter from last season. "I'm excited for the year. We will play hard and I think we will hang with people and compete. Our potential is through the roof."
