By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After finishing the 2019-2020 season just above .500 at 11-10, the Salina South Cougars boys basketball team will be looking to do big things heading into the 2020-2021 season.
Jason Hooper will return for his eight season as the head coach of the Cougars, and has high expectations for his team heading into the season.
When South tips off against Eisenhower on Friday, their lineup will include four returning starters and all four of their top scorers from last season.
G: Josh Jordan (Sr, 5-11, led team with 13.1 ppg in 19-20)
G: Devon Junhans (Sr, 5-9, 12.7 ppg in 19-20)
F: Colin Schreiber (Sr, 6-3 9.1 ppg in 19-20)
F: AJ Johnson (Sr, 6-3 11.9 ppg in 19-20)
The final spot in the lineup is still very much up for grabs, with upwards of five players who could find themselves in it. The other four will become key players off the Cougar bench.
We had a chance to catch up with Coach Hooper ahead of the season opener and ask him some questions about his team.
Q: What have you really focused on adding to the basketball culture at South High School?
A: We always talk about being tough mentally and being a good defensive team. One of the big things we’re trying to do this year is to let our defense shape our offense and play more of a full court style of basketball. That’s been a work in progress over the years and we’ve seen some growing pains but hopefully those pains will pay off and we’ll start seeing some results this year.”
What was the feeling for you and the team towards last season as a whole?
We weren’t satisfied at all with how things turned out for us last season. I talked to the kids and they talked a lot too about how we want to be competing for championships again and obviously we weren’t there last year.
What would you say is the biggest strength of your team heading into this season?
I think our biggest strength is twofold. Our experience coming back is something that not a lot of other teams will be able to match, our kids have been through the battles and they understand what it takes to be successful at the level of basketball that we’re playing. Our other strength is our length and athleticism, we’re not super tall but all of our guys are long and athletic and play above the rim. I think we’ll be able to turn up the pressure on defense and play with a style that our fans will like to watch.
And your teams biggest weakness?
One thing we need to do a better job of than we have in the past is how we respond to mistakes and face adversity. When things are going poorly are we going to feed that? Or are we going to bounce back and get things going in a positive manner more quickly?
What is the expectation for this team heading into the 2020-2021 season?
Like I said, we’re talking about trying to win championships. We’re talking about league championships and possibly state championships. We understand that that’s easier said than done because there’s only one team that can claim those titles but our kids are hungry for that opportunity. To say that you can go from 11-10 to competing for those situations some might say is a stretch but we have the pieces in place and the kids have the right mentality. Now it’s just a matter of going out there and proving it.
The Cougars will have an excellent opportunity to do just that when their season begins against Eisenhower on Friday. The game will tip off following the girls game which is scheduled for 6pm and will be played at South High School.