By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Following another successful 13-9 season, the Wamego boys basketball team will look to continue their winning tradition under new leadership in 2023-24.
Steve Fritz takes over for long-time Raider head coach Troy Hemphill, who spent 26 years as the head of the Wamego program.
This year’s Raiders return a solid core of talent from last year’s team, with two returning starters and four seniors anchoring a lineup that should look something like this come tip-off.
- Spencer Hecht (Sr)
- Drew Pettay (Sr)
- Dusty Monroe (Sr)
- Luke Isch (Sr)
Wamego will look to fill the last spot in its lineup, as well as big rotational minutes from a stable of veterans, including seniors Kolton Coope, Colin Schuck, and Eli Panzer as well as juniors Slade Smith, Caiden Newell, and Jace Johnson
Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, we had a chance to catch up with Coach Fritz and get his thoughts on this year’s squad.
Q: What is your vision for the culture of boys' basketball here at Wamego.
A: Our goal will be to be a defensive-minded, tough, disciplined team. We want the guys to help their teammates be better every day and play as a cohesive group both offensively and defensively.
Q: Entering this year, what would you say are the biggest known strengths of your team?
A: We can put together lineups that are very athletic 1-5. We may not be the tallest team, but we do have some size and size that can run and jump, and I think that athleticism will be a plus for us throughout the season.
Q: What are the biggest looming questions or challenges that you’ll look to sort out in these first few weeks?
A: The biggest question will be how do the guys that haven't really been exposed to varsity basketball handle the environment and physicality of varsity basketball? We have a couple players with a good amount of experience and some with very limited experience. How quickly those players adapt and develop will dictate our season.
Q: What are the biggest goals and expectations for this group heading into the new season?
A: The biggest goal and expectation is to get better every day at something. If we take a step forward every day, every week, every month then we will be where we need to be at the end of the season. Consistent progress is always the goal.
The Raiders open their season on the road with a game against Topeka High this Thursday.