The past two seasons for the Southwest boys basketball team have been a couple of the best in its history.
Winning back-to-back district titles under Rusty Roe, the Trojans are under new management this season with Jeff Treat taking over coaching duties.
“I think the young energy we have [is special],” he said. “Everybody on our team has a new role, and the guys are excited for the opportunity to prove that they are good basketball players. I think we are going to be able to play with high energy, and I think this team is going to be fun to watch.”
The Trojans went 22-7 last season, winning 8 of their last 10 — including a 68-66 victory over Lamar for a Class 3, District 12 title — and falling to Greenwood in the state tournament, 77-45.
Though many graduated, Southwest remains a senior-heavy squad.
“Kasen Holder, senior guard, is a returning All-District player,” Treat said. “He is one of the best returning players in the area. He is going to be scoring a lot for us this year and also creating plays for others. He is a leader for our team, and I expect him to keep our teammates calm when adversity happens. I am looking for him to be another player’s coach when he is out there on the floor and make his teammates better “Tyler Meek, senior guard, is a returning starter who stepped up big for Southwest last year, hitting key 3-pointers and playing in big games in his career. He is looking to continue to hit a bunch of 3s for us and continue to improve from last year.”
Senior guard Brady Brinkman, last year’s sixth man; senior center Brayden Rose; and senior guard Hunter Cain also look to contribute.
“Brady looks to become a better shooter this year and help us bring some toughness for our team,” Treat said. “He also played big minutes in district championship last year. Brayden got some varsity experience last year. He is going to help us down low and help bring some physicality to our team. We are not very big, but his athleticism and strength is going to help us.
“Hunter gives us depth at the guard spot. He is a very aggressive offensive rebounder and plays hard when he is on the floor.”
A quartet of newcomers also hope to make an impact, including a junior transfer from Arkansas.
“Jacob Pierce, junior guard, is a transfer student from Berryville,” Treat said. “Jacob is going to handle the ball for us. He is able to hit 3s and going to be a big part for us defensively this year. Skyler Reines, sophomore guard, is also going to handle the ball for us this year. Skyler is a small player, but his toughness and his ability to guard the ball helps us a bunch. He has a big role for us this year and he is going to improve as a player.
“Lane Hendrix, sophomore forward, is going to be a post player for us this year. He has very good skill around the rim and is able to guard anybody on the floor. Lane is going to play a big role for us this year and he is going to improve throughout the year. Elijah Keeney, sophomore guard, is going to play a big role on the defense with putting a lot of pressure on the ball. He has the ability to get hot from 3 and be able to make plays for others.”
Treat said the Trojans will continue pushing the pace of play, a hallmark under Roe’s tenure.
“I think we are going to be able to turn teams over by the ball pressure we put on them,” Treat said. “We are going to be able to play nine players, so we are able to rotate guys in and out. We will full-court press and keep teams on their toes.”
With the press active and thriving, Treat said Southwest will have to improve on the boards, having lost some inches from last year’s squad.
“We need to improve on taking care of the ball and rebound the ball,” he said. “We are learning to play fast right now and learning to stay under control. We are smaller than last year’s team, so rebounding is worry of mine. We need to be able to play physical and be able to finish possessions out by rebounding.”
Southwest started the season with wins over Exeter, 63-26, and Pierce City, 62-51. The Trojans went 0-3 in the Marionville Invitational last week, falling to Purdy, 72-63, Greenwood, 68-36, and Marionville, 63-57.
Southwest has 16 regular season contests, split equally home and away.
“Our schedule is tough,”Treat said. “We play in two really tough tournaments in the Spokane and Marionville Tournament and then we host our tournament that has tough teams playing in it. We are going to get challenge at first, but we will get better from those games.”
Southwest plays next on Friday, hosting Marionville at 7 p.m.
