The North Butler boys basketball team, after graduating three seniors a year ago, will return a junior-heavy group with varsity experience this year under second year Head Coach Austin Guerrero. North Butler went 7-15 last season.
Guerrero on his mindset going into second year.
“Last year was a great experience, although maybe not where we wanted it to be, there’s a lot of things that I took a step back and reviewed from the season. I feel like we can come in with a good mindset, continue to build off of the culture I’m trying to build and look to take a big leap this year in the wins-loss columns,” says Guerrero. “Then continue to, make our program what we’re striving to be and make our kids good individual people on and off the floor.”
Guerrero on a word the Bearcats are building their culture around.
“Together, we want to do everything. We’re going to practice together and we’re going to compete for 32 minutes together. We’re going to be one team. We’re going to understand the importance of having each other’s backs and having one goal to get the job done at the end of the night no matter what it takes. It’s going to take all of our guys in our program to do that. Everyone’s role is huge and we’re going to get our kids to buy into that.”
Senior Kamdon Boos, as a starter, averaged 5.2 points per game and added a team-leading 54 assists last season. Junior Jax Thorne was third on the team in assists with 32.
Guerrero on returning leaders Boos and Thorne.
“Our back court will have Kamdon Boos again, who’s kind of our lead ball handler. He’s a great leader and a guy to look to in times of need, especially with the ball handling part of it, running our offense and initiating sets. Jax Thorne was a guy that was in between the starting lineup, with a six man role last year. I’m looking for him to step up and take a high role for us this year. He’s a great kid that you tell him you need this or that, in a game to game situation might change, he’s a guy that’s gonna do whatever I need as a coach. Those are always kids you look forward to.”
The Bearcats also return senior Ryan Austin, who as a starter last season, averaged eight points per game and defended the boards with second most rebounds on the team 147 last season.
North Butler will host Northwood-Kensett in their season opener on Tuesday, December 3.
