The Logan Berries boys basketball team looks to improve again this year. They ended their season with the sectional last year after a loss against their tough opponent the Marion Giants. This year, they not only look to improve last year’s record at 8-16 but their 1-7 conference record. They look to leave a mark on the NCC as the conference will be disbanded next season.
With a lot of returning players, including multiple starters, head coach Matt Lange expects big things from the team this year. One of the big things is collective leadership.
“My hope is that the leadership role will be filled by a group of players rather than one individual,” Lange said.
Despite their less-than-satisfactory showing last year, Lange has great expectations for the NCC this year.
“With our experience, we have the potential to win a large number of games and do special things in the NCC,” Lange said. ”I am looking forward to a great year. We have a large number of returning players, which includes several returning starters who played large roles for us last year, so my expectations are high.”
The players themselves hold the same aspirations as Lange.
“I believe we will be an excellent team this year, returning four of our five starters from last year and a couple of juniors and sophomores with some varsity experience now will help us with depth.” senior Cooper Smith said.
Smith continues by talking about the NCC and state.
“With these changes and additions the team stands a better chance in the NCC,” Smith said. “I think we have a pretty good chance to advance into the state tournament because we play a very good level of competition with other NCC schools in our conference, which sets us ready during the season.”
Like Smith, other players also have high expectations for this season.
“There is no doubt we will be good,” junior Chrisanthony De Valle said. “I think our team should be good this year, no doubt in my mind. We have a lot of experience coming back and some new additions that will help us on the court.”
The first varsity game is scheduled for Nov. 22 at home against the Peru Tigers.
