Boys basketball scrimmage Saturday

The boys basketball team is hitting the courts, with their first practice on Nov. 19

Coach Shane Corpening stated, “As a first year coach in the program it is difficult to determine exactly where we are at. In terms of competition with other schools, I have only been able to evaluate our players in a handful of scrimmages that we played in this summer. I did see solid growth by our players and our team during this summer. We played some tough competition which will be beneficial for us in the long run.”

There are about 25 players in the program. Of those, only four saw extended varsity playing time last season.

“We will return a 6’3’’ senior Sean Miller,” Corpening stated. “Miller averaged 4.3 points per game and close to five rebounds per game last season. Miller has great versatility that we want to use. He has the ability to play inside as a post as well as stretch a defense on the perimeter. We also return a 6’3’’ junior Jarron Mortimore. Mortimore has the tools to emerge as a dominant force in 3A basketball. He averaged five points per game and five rebounds per game last season. I expect those numbers to double this season.

“Our front court isn’t quite as experienced as our back court is. We have two guards that appeared in all 20 games last season. Juniors Sterling Gerber and Duder Harvey. Both of these players averaged about three points per game last year as sophomores. I have seen solid growth in both of these players since this summer. Harvey is a player that can make things happen on the court. We plan on implementing an up-tempo attack style of basketball and he fits into our offense very nicely. Gerber is a player who has a very high basketball IQ and he can shoot the ball well. Both of these players will be able to provide us with good offensive production as well as solid defense. Another player, Kolby George, is a 5’11’’ senior. He saw limited action last year, but he emerged this summer as a lockdown defender and a team leader. Whatever team we play, Kolby will guard their best kid. I’ve also been impressed with Cade McLean. He is another junior guard for us. He is a very scrappy defender and we expect increased production out of him this season. Oran Coyne, Logan Shumway, Wyatt Robbins and possibly some of our younger players will all be vying for playing time at the varsity level as well.

“The theme of this team is defense. I preach to the boys, you cannot always control everything in the game of basketball, but you can always control how hard you play on defense. Last season, we finished at the very bottom of 3A in terms of defense. That is something that we will have to remedy for us to be successful this season. Overall, I am expecting big things for our basketball team.”

Any fans who want to support the team can check out an open scrimmage this Saturday at 8 a.m. at the high school. The team’s first game is Dec. 7 vs. Wright at the Herder Classic in Glenrock. Their first home game is on Jan. 11.