Conference: 6-6A South
Coach: Ryan Koerdt (four years at Sheridan with a 148-100 record)
Assistant coach: Matt Ginther
Last year’s record: 2-25 (eighth in the conference)
Returning starters: Blake Gibbs (5-9 senior who averaged 4 points per game last season)
Best inside players: Brady Bowlin (6-3 junior), Damon Padget (6-4 sophomore), Austen Theiss (6-5 sophomore), Carson Bray (6-3 senior) and Dallas Jordan (6-3 sophomore)
Best perimeter players: Dillon Oliver (5-10 senior), Chris Whitman (5-11 sophomore), Dylan Morris (6-3 sophomore), Griffin Smith (6-3 sophomore), Caleb Hollinger (5-10 junior), Adam Mote (5-10 junior), Austin Bean (6-4 junior), Cameron Simpson (5-9 junior), Brody Richardson (5-9 sophomore) and Jordan Smith (5-10 sophomore)
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? “This group is hungry to get back to the success we had two years ago when we finished second in the league and fifth in the state,” Koerdt said. “This group has a lot of young talent that on some nights can play with anyone.”
Strengths of the team: With eight players 6-3 or above, Koerdt said size is the squad’s biggest asset. He also listed athleticism and competitiveness. “We will play 10 to 12 kids a game. The practices thus far have been ultra competitive and, therefore, should translate to being very competitive,” Koerdt said.
Weaknesses of the team: “We’re very young with only three seniors on the team, and one of those seniors has only played one year of organized basketball,” the coach said. “With most of our kids being underclassmen, these kids aren’t developed physically yet. That’s a concern, playing in the physical 6-6A South Conference.”
Games to watch: “Every game. We want to compete and win every game, no matter who we play,” Koerdt said.
Toughest opponent: “Every team on our schedule. We aren’t good enough to walk on the floor and win on talent alone. We have to play hard and work harder than our competition,” Koerdt said.
College prospects: Gibbs, Oliver, Whitman, Morries, Theiss, Padget and Smith. “Gibbs is an excellent 3-point shooter, a good ball handler and defender. Oliver is an excellent ball handler and leaper; he can run our team and take over a game with his high skill level. We will go as far as he takes us at the point position, along with Chris Whitman,” Koerdt said. “Whitman is only a sophomore, but he has good athleticism and is not afraid to guard anyone. He’s a good ball handler and passer. Morris is a sophomore but can play inside and out; he possesses talent that he doesn’t know he has. Theiss is 6-5 with excellent post moves and is a good jumper. He wears a size 18 shoe and has the potential to grow. Padget is an excellent shot blocker at 6-4; he scored nine points and had six rebounds in a varsity game against Benton as a freshman. Smith, at 6-3, can knock down shots over smaller defenders.”