Semoball

Hoops ‘22: Leopold boys basketball placing emphasis on culture

Leopold's Brady Halter is the lone returning starter from the Wildcats' 2021-22 district championship-winning team.
J.C. Reeves ~ jcreeves@semoball.com, file

Leopold is coming off a 20-7 season that culminated in the team’s first-ever district championship.

Despite losing some key players, the Wildcats are hopeful to continue their success in 2022-23 with coach Gary Poyner placing an emphasis on culture as the season draws near.

“That’s the big thing that I think will help roll over into this season,” Poyner said. “We’re going to have new faces in new places and it’s going to be a different roster. The big thing will be us leaning on that culture, the work ethic and the positive attitude we had last year.”

The biggest losses from the Wildcats’ district championship team from last season are Caleb Schaab and Mason Deck.

“Those two averaged right around 20 points per game,” Poyner said. “One of the things this year is instead of getting 40 points from two kids, it’s going to be a combination of multiple kids. That’s going to be one of the main differences people see on the floor.”

Leopold coach Gary Poyner is placing an emphasis on the team's culture for the upcoming season.
J.C. Reeves ~ jcreeves@semoball.com, file

Poyner thinks his team will be deep off the bench this season with one starter returning in junior Brady Halter.

“Right now if I had to name a starting five, I couldn’t,” Poyner said. “We’re running 8 to 10 kids in and out so I think that’s one thing that will help us, especially as the season goes along. It’s going to give us some depth and I feel like that will improve especially as we get some games under our belt.

“(Halter) been a good leader for us at this point in helping lead some of the newer players. I have complete confidence in him. He has the ability to shoulder the leadership but he also understands he can’t do it all himself.”

Poyner also expects juniors Keegan Deck, Noland Beussink, Will Retz and Austin Broshuis to have a big impact on the court this season.

“We’ve got some familiar faces here that can step in and play a role,” Poyner said.

With many overlooking the Wildcats this year, Poyner looks forward to the challenge of overcoming expectations.

“We’re not looking at it like this could be tough,” Poyner said. “Our style of play is going to be different to fit the group of players we have now but like I said, we’re looking at it as a challenge.”

The Wildcats begin their season at the Woodland Invitational Tournament which runs from Nov. 28-Dec. 2.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: