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Willard 2022 guard Blake Shanks is looking forward to a big offseason as he gears up for his sophomore season for the Tigers.
A consistent 3-point shooter, Shanks is working on adding other elements to his game, including driving to the basket and takes pride in his all-around game.
“I am also a good communicator and team player,” he says.
Shanks says is spending the offseason focused on improving his defense and becoming a better rebounder.
The Tigers are coming off a big season under first-year head coach Jeremy Dresslaer and finished the season 17-11 overall and advanced all the way to the Missouri Class 5 District 12 championship game.
“We were very undersized but I felt we over achieved people’s expectations,” Shanks says.
Shanks says when he’s not playing basketball he likes to play video games and got to sporting events or what them on TV.
He says his dad has had the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.
“He played and coached basketball Andrea always been there to help me or give advice,” Shanks says.
A fan of Jordan Poole and Cedi Osman, Shanks says there are aspects of both player’s games that he enjoys.
“Osman is a really good defender and I have watched him improve over the years,” he says. “Poole is a versatile player. I strive to be like both of them.”