Three juniors are pushing extra hard this season as they were forced into being team leaders by being the most experienced players on the team. Junior guards Shane Poyser, Logan Gemes, and point guard Garrett Ferguson have taken on the role of being mentors for the underclassmen.
“I feel like the juniors have stepped up and done what they need to do. Just being a senior doesn’t make you a leader. Leadership can come from anywhere,” head boys basketball coach Matthew Brownsberger said.
It is important for the upperclassmen to set goals for the team.
“My goal for this season is to grow as a team and show others we are better than what our records have been showing, maybe a district win,” Ferguson said.
“I feel that Logan, Shane, and Garret have done a great job stepping up even as Juniors. They lead well and set good examples during practice to freshmen and sophomores that don’t get varsity time even to the sophomores that do get varsity minutes they continue to show leadership,” sophomore Noah Siebert said.
Brownsberger wants to improve the basketball program and better the team for years to come.
“Our main goal is to always do our part to teach values to our players to help them be successful in whatever they choose to do after high school. From a playing standpoint, the goal is to put banners on the wall and trophies in the case. We have started youth basketball through the Kaysinger Youth Sports this year. We currently have around 60 boys and girls in grades 1-5 playing basketball right now. Our hope is that we can create consistency in the program,” Brownsberger said.
The boys basketball team is currently 2-6 for the 23-24 season. Last year they were 1-24 and the previous year 2-20.
“My goal for the season is to win more games this year than we did my first two years in high school,” Poyser said.
Sometimes the transition from playing in middle school to playing in high school can be difficult because the speed and skill level of the game increases.
“I feel like the underclassmen are still adjusting to the speed of the game in high school but are slowly getting better and more adjusted,” Games said.
The boys basketball team has won against The Sweet Springs Greyhounds 62-51 and The Lincoln Cardinals 60-59.
According to Maxpreps, Gemes averages 16 points per game.
“I feel like I contribute to the scoring aspect of the game and am a good leader for the team,” Games said.
According to Maxpeps, Poyser averages 4 rebounds per game.
“I feel like my defense and rebounding is my biggest contribution to the team,” Poyser said.
According to Maxpreps, Ferguson averages 2.3 assists per game.
“I feel I do contribute to the team as our point guard, I still need to improve and be a threat on the defensive side as well,” Ferguson said.