By Gary Van Cleave
Special to Great Bend Tribune
ELLINWOOD - Landon Simpson sports a hunger like no other for greatness in his favorite sport, basketball.
“Man I have been so hungry ever since freshman and sophomore year,” the talented Ellinwood Eagle star said. “Those two years I worked as hard as possible behind the scenes because I wanted to be great. Now that I finally get my chance I am not going to let back, nothing is getting in my way because I know that I belong. All my hunger makes me know that I am always the best player on the court at all times and one of if not the best in the state. I’ve had a dream since a little kid to play at the next level. I can’t let myself down.”
He’s made a feast on Eagle opponents as he’s averaged 25 points a game in Ellinwood’s 4-3 start.
“Landon is playing really great basketball right now and he’s such an exceptional scorer,” coach Jaron Lane said. “He has so many tools at his disposal with his ability to get to the rim and finish, as well as his ability to shoot from 3.”
“Playing basketball with a good teammate can really change the game,” senior teammate Campbell Coleman said. “Since about 4th grade, I've played with Landon in MAYB or school ball. His quick moves and sharp instincts make everything click. We work well together in half court sets and in-and-out looks.”
The 6-foot-1 Simpson has surpassed the 30-point mark twice this season, including a career-best 41-point outburst as he nearly matched Pratt-Skyline’s total in a 67-48 Eagle victory.
“Everything felt right that night, 3’s were falling and so were all my mid-ranges,” Simpson said. “I had a lot of confidence, more than usual. I was shooting shots I normally don’t but a lot of credit goes to my teammates. They were always finding me in transition or when I was open for 3.”
“Early in the game, he was in attack mode,” Lane said of Simpson’s game against Skyline. “He did a great job of getting out and running and transition and the guys around him did a great job of finding him in transition. When he's in the open court, there's not a ton a team can do to stop him and that's what happened. He was just getting downhill attacking the basket all game.”
Friday night, Simpson scored 14 points in just two quarters of the Eagles’ 78-24 win over Chase. Junior Drake Hosman also had 14 and junior Layton Wirtz and sophomore Luke Heinz each netted 11.
“This win was all about the team,” said Simpson, who surpassed the 500-point mark of his career (505). “Everyone contributed, whether it was on offense, defense or just bringing energy to the game. We trust each other, and it showed out there tonight. It’s never just about one person. It’s about how we play together, and I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team.”
“Right now he's playing with such great confidence and he's using his abilities to score with whatever the opposing defense is giving him,” Lane said. “This confidence is also allowing him to grow into the leader this team needs, which allows him to bring all the guys around him up a level as well.”
This after a banner season as Ellinwood quarterback when he rushed 95 times for 975 yards and 16 touchdowns. He completed 17 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns.
“I don’t have any offers in basketball, but this is my first real year,” Simpson said. “So far I do have an offer to Independence in football and I also have an OV (official visit) to Hutch for football.”
He’s hoping for a shot to play college basketball.
“It would mean the world,” Simpson said. “All the times playing on little rims as a kid acting like I made it and it really is coming true.”
“He’s a great player and especially as a young player on the team we can look to him for advice,” freshman Cade Coleman said. “He’s always holding us accountable during practice keeping us locked in on the main goal.”
Lane said Simpson as a leader is naturally a quiet, laid-back player.
“So his leadership style is through his work ethic,” Lane said. “Landon shows up everyday wanting to become the best player he can become and help this team become the best team it can become. This mentality creates a competitive atmosphere that helps everyone get better. His confidence on the court is also giving him more confidence to use his voice when he needs to, and I think he's only going to continue to get better as a leader as this season goes on.”
“Landon is very solid defensively and always hunting his shots on offense,” Campbell Coleman said. “With a great teammate like Landon, it feels like we have a shot to win any game."
Hosman cited a more confident Simpson this year.
“Last year he was already putting up good numbers, but I think this year he gained more confidence and found more of a rhythm,” Hosman said.
“I have goals and that I have set for myself,” Simpson said. “I know I can do better. Obviously if we are winning that’s fine, but we are 4-3. It’s going to take a lot more than that to win more games.”
Simpson and his senior comrades look to be leaders as the season nears the midway point.
“All the seniors on the team have made it their responsibility to take the leadership role, including Landon,” Hosman said. “They all hold everyone accountable and make sure they’re doing everything correctly.”
“I’ve committed myself to this sport. It’s like a drug, I can’t stop playing it,” Simpson said. “It’s my passion to be great at it. I never let any of the off-court stuff ever get to me, I just pursue the ball. I want to get better each and every day and I am very coachable. I want to do everything right the way I am asked to do so.”
