By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Following a disappointing 1-19 campaign, the Salina South boys basketball team will look to right the ship ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Head Coach Jason Hooper returns to the helm for his 11th season leading the Cougars.
This year’s squad features a strong group of returning veterans, including four starters who will anchor a lineup that should look like this come Friday.
G- Quevon Purucker (Sr)
G- Layson Sajdak (Sr)
G- Brady Howard (Sr)
F- Jace Humphrey (Jr)
The final starting spot, as well as big rotational minutes, will go to a strong stable of returning players, led by juniors Andrew Harris, Lawson Rassette, and Camden Augustine, and sophomores Jaxon Myers, Sawyer Walker, and Gavin Devoe.
Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, we had a chance to catch up with Coach Hooper and get his thoughts on this year’s squad.
Q: When you had a chance to look back on it, what were your overall thoughts on last season?
A: Last year was a difficult season, but it really fueled us to have a great off-season. One of our main obstacles a year ago was playing with the physicality necessary to compete in our league. Our kids worked really hard to change their bodies so that we could be more physical and that’s shown in practice so far. We are a year older and a year wiser and I think last year will be a great motivator and lesson for us as we navigate another difficult schedule this year.
Q: Entering this year, what would you say are the biggest known strengths of your team?
A: We are an experienced group that only had one senior on last year's team, so we return almost everyone from a year ago. I think our guard play will be the strength of our team, we have some guys that can stretch the floor with their ability to shoot it from the three-point line as well as attack the paint and collapse the defense. We will hang our hat on the defensive end, where we must do a good job controlling the tempo and making it difficult for teams to score.
Q: What are the biggest looming questions or challenges that you’ll look to sort out in these first few weeks?
A: Will our work in the off-season to change our bodies pay off? Last year we had a difficult time on the glass securing rebounds and finishing possessions. I also believe we have better depth this year, so we will see how some of our younger players settle into their roles.
Q: What are the biggest goals and expectations for this group heading into the new season?
A: Every team has end-of-season goals, but our goal is to be in the moment and not get ahead of ourselves. Our focus and goal right now is to get a little bit better every day. Take things one possession at a time and at the end of the day, if you win more possessions than your opponent, the scoreboard will take care of itself.
The Cougars open their season on the road with a game against Eisenhower this Friday.