The boys varsity basketball team is starting up the season with many changes. After graduating three starters, there’s a void to fill.
One of the key returners is junior Jakendrick Clevenger, who led the team with 3.7 assists per game last year and was named the district’s Newcomer of the Year.
“Me and Brad [Garcia] gotta step up as leaders this year, and we gotta just communicate more,” Clevenger said.
Head coach Jeffrey Hamilton has high hopes for this new group of athletes for the upcoming season.
“I feel like we’re a little more talented than we have been the last few years, but we’re still right now trying to figure out how to play the KPark basketball way that we’ve been playing for the last few years,” Hamilton said. “So we’re kind of going through that process right now. The potential is there, but we’re just not there yet.”
The team finished in third place in the district last year with a 6-4 record (18-16 overall record). They lost in the first round of the playoff to Mt. Pleasant, 46-37.
Hamilton said many things need to be changed for the team to be successful this year.
“We’re going to have to buy into Kingwood Park style defense,” Hamilton said. “ Offensively we have to become more patient and work harder on offense to get a better shot every time we’re down.”
Jacob VanNostrand, a senior who transferred during the season last year and previously played at Summer Creek High School, will be a key newcomer this year.
“I have a lot of responsibilities on the court this year in terms of defensive assignments and also scoring so I intend to be very active on the team,” VanNostrand said.
After graduating Jayden Henderson, who led the team in points and rebounds last year, Hamilton said a number of leaders are emerging on the team, especially Garcia.
“He will be a three year starter for us and a senior,” Hamilton said. “I think just cause he’s been there a lot, he’s a big one for us. We have a lot of guys that kinda contribute to that role but we also have a bunch of new guys too, so we’re still trying to develop who our leaders are.”
VanNostrand said Clevenger and Garcia have helped him adjust to the program.
“I’ve played with Brad since I was 5 or 6 years old, so I have a lot of chemistry and deep rooted connections with him,” VonNostrand said. “We’ve always connected on that next level when it comes to basketball and how we play together. And with JK it took a while for us to learn each other on the court better, but I think we’re getting a lot better and our chemistry’s gotten a lot better and stronger.”
With his new lineup, Hamilton said his main goal for the team this year is to keep improving.
“I think our primary goal is to get better everyday and hopefully make the playoffs, kinda keep our playoff run going,” Hamilton said. “I’m hoping it’s just a good experience for all of our guys.”
The players have high expectations, with VanNostrand predicting that the Panthers could go undefeated.
The team is off to a 2-0 start. They return home on Nov. 19 to play Magnolia.
“I think honestly we have the potential, and I’ve been saying this for a while, that we can go undefeated and that we could be undefeated district champs,” VonNostrand said. “However, Crosby will be a little bit of a challenge just match-up wise, but I think if we get that chemistry down nobody can stop us.”
