Coyotes Welcome New Coaching Staff

The Dodson Coyotes Basketball team has a new but familiar head coach in the 2022-23 season, as they welcome former assistant coach Skip Cole to lead them.

Coach Cole had been the Coyote's assistant coach for the past two seasons, and the junior high and jamboree coach for the past three seasons. Cole is also a DHS alumni, having graduated from the school in 1981.

The Coyotes welcome back many talented athletes including Mikey Jaynes, a senior who was a 2022 District 3C All-Conference athlete and a member of the All-Defensive Team.

"Mikey Jaynes is our team captain and he runs point. Mikey is a tenacious defender and smart player," Coach Cole said.

The team also welcomes back senior Tanner Ball, who is listed at 6'4" and brings back starting experience.

"His job is to plug the key and collect the missed shots on defense. He's very good at hitting the outlet pass on offense. We'll be looking to get the ball inside to him," Coach Cole said.

Junior Stiffarm, a 6'2" sophomore, was one of Dodson's leading scorers last season.

"Junior is our shooting guard but can also play post. He has tremendous leaping ability with a picture perfect jump shot," Coach Cole said.

Standing at 6'1" is junior Sebastian Best, an athlete that posted many minutes in 2022.

Coach Cole describes Best as a "post player that is very fast and physical, who can also run the floor and can shoot."

Sophomore Mason LoneBear, 5'10", will also start for the Coyotes this season. He was described as fast and physical.

Sophomore Jeremiah Henry, listed a, 6'3", will be used in situations where height is a factor.

"Jeremiah has tremendous jumping ability with speed, as well as long and lanky (arms)," Coach Cole said.

Cole also talked about his reserve athletes.

"5'8" sophomore Chaske Cliff will see a lot of playing time as well as 5'9" sophomore Titus Webb; both are fast, can handle the ball, and are accurate from three-point range," Coach Cole said. "5'11" Freshman Sonny Cole can play post or pop a three from anywhere, 5'9" freshman Lance Snow is the guy who comes in to create chaos very fast and physical, and 5'5" freshman Christopher Jaynes can handle the ball and shoot the three."

Dodson has plenty of height this season, something that Coach Cole said is beneficial, but he also said that this team not only has height, but that they can run.

As far as team goals go, Coach Cole and his team wants hardware at the end of the season, but they are taking it one step at a time.

"Again, our goal as a team is to play in the district championship game and move onto the divisional tournament," Coach Cole said. "The district is a very competitive district with Lustre being the favorite. Our goal is to face them in the district championship."

He was also asked how the first few weeks have been for the team.

"Boys are coming along great, we just need to get everyone healthy then watch out," Coach Cole said.