By Chris Parker
Seymour boys basketball hit the 20-win mark for the first time since 2010 last season, which was also the last season that Seymour won a district title.
“Last season was a big step forward for our program, winning 20 games for the first time since 2010 was a huge accomplishment for these guys and a testament to their work ethic,” Seymour head coach Chris Hastings said. “But as proud as we were, we all know there’s still more out there for us. To take that next step and bring home a district title for the first time since 2010, we’ve got to stay hungry. It’s about consistency and bringing that same level of focus and discipline every single night. The talent is there; now it’s about finishing games, executing in tight moments, and trusting each other.”
Hastings sees the potential in this year’s team to do something special.
“What excites me most about the 2025-26 season is the talent and potential on this team,” Hastings said. “I’m optimistic because I see players who are willing to work hard and push each other to be better every day. The effort and energy we bring to practice and games makes me confident that we can accomplish something special this year.”
The Tigers will feature one of the top players in the area in 6-foot-7 Wyatt Henry. The all-conference and all-district selection averaged 19.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
“Wyatt’s size is a big advantage at the Class 3 level especially since he’s a guard,” Hastings said. “He has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He can post up smaller defenders and beat bigger players off the dribble. He’s a special player, and we’re expecting him to have a great year.”
A trio of juniors also return including Truman Helms (guard), Reece Hepko (forward) and Braylon Johnson (guard).
Helms is the second-leading returning scorer after he averaged 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 assists per game.
“Truman consistently impacts the game with his shooting ability and floor spacing,” Hastings said. “His strong basketball IQ enhances his overall play, helping him make smart reads and set up opportunities for his teammates. Defensively, he stands out with his versatility to guard multiple positions and willingness to take charges, bringing intensity and toughness to every possession.”
Hepko contributed 6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.8 assists per game.
“Reece is the ultimate utility player, bringing relentless toughness and grit every time he steps on the floor,” Hastings said. “Despite being undersized for a big, he consistently competes with and holds his own against larger opponents. His defensive versatility, being able to guard all five positions, gives us a valuable edge and flexibility on that end of the court. Offensively, he’s shown real growth in his development, and we anticipate a major leap from him this season compared to last year.”
Johnson averaged 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
“Braylon had an impressive first season at the varsity level as a point guard,” Hastings said. “He has put in countless hours this offseason to expand and sharpen his skills. Beyond his individual development, he has grown into a more vocal leader, a role we will count on as we work together toward achieving our team goals.”
Sophomore Nolan Henry rounds out the returning players with significant varsity experience. He scored 2.7 points per game as a freshman.
“Nolan gained important varsity experience as a freshman, and we expect that to translate into an even stronger sophomore season,” Hastings said. “He has improved his three-point shooting and consistently brings energy and effort on defense. With his continued development, we have high expectations for the impact he will make this year.”
Junior Collin Zimmerman will be a key varsity newcomer.
“Collin has a natural feel for the game and fully embraces his role as a true team player,” Hastings said. “His ability to make shots while maintaining strong defensive play makes him a dependable contributor on both ends of the floor.”
Overall, this year’s version of Seymour boys’ basketball will be a cohesive unit.
“The greatest strength of our team this year will be our commitment to playing together,” Hastings said. “We have a lot of talent and playmakers, but true success comes from supporting one another. By celebrating each other’s achievements, we create success for the entire team. We share a single goal, and we have been working extremely hard to reach it.”
Hastings will look for his team to be sounder on defense.
“To achieve our goals, we must improve on the defensive end and in rebounding,” Hastings said. “We need to limit opponents to one shot and consistently turn our defense into offense. If we can do this, we will be a very tough team for anyone to compete against.”
Seymour opens the season on Nov. 28 at the Current River Challenge in Van Buren.
“A successful season would be seeing our team truly play together,” Hastings said. “I want to see everyone competing hard on every possession and pushing each other to get better. Improvement as players and as a team will show that our hard work is paying off. Most importantly, I want us to leave the floor knowing we gave our absolute best every game.”
