Jasper boys basketball has a new head coach in Kecin Gidney this season. The Eagles went 6-20 last year.
Gidney’s early focus will be on getting his team to finish games better.
“We need to figure out how to close out games,” Gidney said. “If we can execute on both sides of the ball down the stretch, many of those close contests can swing in our favor.”
A group of four players graduated from last season’s team, but a pair of returning starters in senior Treyton Ritchart and junior Gaige Mitchell return. Ritchart enters his third season as a starter after he led the team in assists and steals to go with 8.1 points per game a year ago.
“He’s an extremely quick, versatile player who can impact the game in a lot of different ways,” Gidney said. “We’re going to ask him to do a lot for us this season.”
Mitchell scored 10.9 points per game last season to lead the team. He also had 7.5 rebounds per game.
“Gaige has the size, footwork, and hands to be a matchup problem,” Gidney said. “We’re hoping for him to be one of the stronger low-post threats in the area this year.”
Seven lettermen also return in Carter Smith (senior), Tim Sisseck (junior), Carson Lehman (senior), Trevin Simpson (junior), Kelton Moll (senior), Phinn Manko (sophomore), and Keilin Greene (junior).
Kaden Spicer, Craig Zuber and Colt Storm are other players to watch. Senior Quintan Winans returns to the basketball court after taking a couple seasons off. Freshmen Dustin Baker and Baylor Rush will look to make varsity impacts in their first seasons of high school basketball.
“We want to impose our will defensively,” Gidney said. “Getting stops, controlling the boards, and finishing possessions will be the foundation of our success. I’m excited for this group. We had a good summer, and these kids are hungry to prove themselves. They’ve been coachable, hardworking, and committed to the brand of basketball we want to play. Our mental toughness and extreme effort will need to define who we are this season and hopefully take us to the next level.”
Jasper opens the season Nov. 22-26 at the Verona Tip-Off Classic.
