By Chris Parker
Skyline boys basketball took a big step forward last season posting a 16-win season, which was a six-win improvement over 2024-25 and a 12-win improvement over the 2022-23 season.
“We had quite a few guys that were thrown into the fire early in their careers that we needed to be big time varsity contributors,” Skyline head coach Tommy Egan said. “Just gaining experience will always go a long way. But, it was also a combination of being sick of losing and the realization of the time and work it was going to take to get the program back to its winning ways. Winning is hard and we felt like our team became much more aware of what it truly takes (both on the floor and off the floor) to have the chance to have some success.”
Three all-conference players return this season.
Aiden Meade and Parker Owen both return after earning first-team all-conference honors last season.
Meade averaged 16.2 points per game with 47 assists and 30 total steals. He hit 65 total 3-pointers last season.
“Aiden has a ton of experience and can be a difference maker in a lot of different ways. He wants to take the big shot in the big moment. He has the ability to guard the other team’s best player. He can handle the ball in high pressure situations. He has the experience and ability to affect the game in a bunch of different ways and we look for him to have a big senior season,” Egan said. “He is very competitive and hard-nosed but also has the ability to stay even keel no matter the circumstances. He can really score the basketball, and his mindset makes him really effective in the big moments.”
Owen, a junior who is now a two-time all-conference honoree, also averaged 16.2 points per game with 107 total rebounds, 26 total steals and 25 total assists. He also knocked down 69 3-pointers.
“Parker has become a much better defender and also has become more than just a strictly catch-and-shoot type player. He has always been a good shooter but has become much more versatile in the ways he can score,” Egan said. “We are still wanting to see Parker’s ball handling and passing improve. We have also challenged him to be a player that can affect the game even when he’s struggling to score. If he can get these things figured out, he has a chance to be a really good player.”
Carter King, a second-team all-conference selection as a sophomore, returns to run the point. He had 7.5 points per game with a team-high 140 assists.
“Carter has started since Day 1 of his freshman year,” Egan said. “He is a smart player, handles the ball well, and can score at the rim and from outside. Most importantly, he is as good a passer as we have had here in a few years.”
Paxton Foster also returns for his senior season. The forward averaged 6.3 points per game while leading the team with 170 total rebounds.
“Pax has been giving us varsity minutes since his freshman year and was a full-time starter last year,” Egan said. “He is a solid post defender who gets baskets from the block, is capable from 15 feet out, and passes the ball really well for a big man. When Pax has it going, we become such a better team. He has gotten better and better every season, and we are very excited to see what he gets done in his senior season.”
Chace Acker (freshman guard), Carson Sullivan (sophomore forward), Byron Smith (sophomore forward), Kenton Owen (sophomore guard), Ramsey Wood (freshman guard) and Mason Bibeau (sophomore guard) all will be newcomers to watch.
Egan on Acker: “Chace has played a lot of basketball over the years. He is very skilled and has a high basketball IQ. He looks to be in the mix for varsity minutes right out of the gate.”
Egan on Sullivan: “Carson is an athletic, physical post who rebounds really well. When he plays with a high motor he can really be a difference maker. He is hungry to prove himself and we are excited to see his jump in improvement now as a sophomore.”
Egan on Smith: “Byron has improved as a basketball player probably more than anyone on our roster. He wants to be successful, has put in the work, and looks to provide depth at the post position.”
Egan on Kenton Owen: “Kenton is an athletic wing player. He has the ability to be a really good defender, and he is a capable three-level scorer. Kenton just needs to gain some confidence and experience, but he has a lot of ability.”
Egan on Wood: “Ramsey is an athletic guard that did a lot of positive things for us in the offseason. He has the physical tools to compete at the varsity level and is another freshman that looks to be in the mix for varsity playing time.”
Egan on Bibeau: “Mason has a high motor and has the natural ability to be a really good defender. If he can learn to understand and buy into his role he could provide us with some depth at the guard position.”
Overall, Skyline has a good mix of youth and experience.
“I would say our biggest strength this year is the experience of our upperclassmen and the talent potential of our underclassmen,” Egan said. “We expect our practices to be very competitive this year and in turn this should help the entire program experience success.”
Rebounding and playing defense as a team will be key for Skyline’s success.
“Rebounding once again will be a major concern,” Egan said. “We aren’t very big across the board and quite frankly do not jump real well either. We will have to show a ton of grit and toughness as a five-man unit every time a shot goes up. We also don’t really have that one lock down defender to guard the other team’s best player. We will have to get it done as a committee and understand different schemes if we want to showcase the type of defense it takes to be a true contender.”
Skyline opens the season Dec. 1-6 at the Tipton Tournament.
“I just want to see a program-wide group of guys that play the game as hard as they possibly can every single time we take the floor,” Egan said. “We also need to continue to improve how we mentally and physically handle adversity throughout the year. There is no doubt this team wants it, but it can’t be just talk – it has to show in our play. If we can demonstrate toughness and grit when things aren’t going our way I think we will be just fine.”
