Jays learn from weekend

Blair Thompson wants to win some games this summer.

But the Jefferson City boys basketball coach is also looking at the bigger picture.

"It's a teachable time period," Thompson said. "Really, you're thinking about process over product all the way through the summer."

The Jays kicked off their offseason schedule by going 7-1 in games in the Third Annual Capital City Summer Hoops Classic over the weekend. And while there were some teachable moments, Thompson and his coaching staff had plenty of time to evaluate the talent level for the upcoming season.

"We got to see a lot of different kids throughout our program - from eighth grade all the way up to our varsity level," Thompson said. "We mixed and matched and saw different lineups and a lot of different situations against a lot of different types of teams.

"At this time of year, that's what you're trying to do - just evaluate, see what you've got and what you need to get better at."

Jefferson City will have some spots to fill after losing four seniors who played significant minutes on last year's team that went 15-12 and fell to eventual state runner-up Hickman in a Class 5 district championship game.

Events like the Classic help coaches like Thompson determine who might fill the holes and also lets up-and-coming players showcase what they're capable of.

"This is just a time to really put some different lineups out there and give some guys some opportunities at a level they may not have played before," Thompson said. "If you're bringing a sophomore or a junior up that hasn't played any varsity, and you start throwing him in varsity games right now, you get to see what you've got."

All the returning players from last year's varsity team participated at this year's Capital City Shootout, including first-team all-stater O.G. Anunoby, who missed the final six games of last season with a broken wrist. As a junior, Anunoby led the Jays in scoring (21.3 points per game), rebounds (9.9) and blocks (3.4).

"He's playing pretty well," Thompson said. "He's slowly getting comfortable and looking like himself again."

Thompson was also optimistic about the incoming sophomores and juniors this year's team will feature.

"Our numbers are very, very good in both those classes and there's going to be a lot of guys fighting for very limited spots when it comes down to it," he said. "This summer becomes that much more important for everybody in those age groups.

"Competition is always a good thing, and we've got plenty of it. That's what we're always after."

Jefferson City players will have more chances to compete as the Jays travel to the Missouri State team camp in Springfield, the Show-Me Shootout in Columbia and the Mizzou Shootout.

Official practices don't start until November, but Thompson is "optimistic from this point, moving forward."