By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
After a season that saw them flip their record from 9-13 to 13-9, the Rock Creek boys basketball team will look to take another step forward in 2023-24.
Justin Smith returns to the helm for his second year as head coach of the Mustangs in St. George.
Despite graduating several key players a season ago, this year’s Rock Creek squad remains loaded with both talent and experience, with a starting five that should look like this come tip-off.
G- Daegan Vinduska (Sr)
G- Coley Burgess (Jr)
G- Ryker Zoeller (Jr)
F- Brady Schneider (Sr)
F- Gavin Rosa (Jr)
The Mustangs will also look to the bench for key rotational minutes from returning seniors David Wilkinson and Payton McCarn, junior Donovan Debita, and sophomore Gavin Rosa who will be joined by a trio of newcomers in Eli Bell, Peter Martinie, and Karson Toburen.
Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, we had a chance to catch up with Coach Smith and get his thoughts on this year’s squad.
Q: When you had a chance to look back on it, what were your overall thoughts on last season?
A: There were some good moments and bad, just like every season. I was pleased that we had an opportunity to compete for a spot in the state tournament but I wasn't happy with the way we played in the sub-state championship game. Overall I was happy with the growth with the program.
Q: Entering this year, what would you say are the biggest known strengths of your team?
A: We are way longer than we were a year ago with the size that we have. Another strength is the depth we have with 8 guys that played varsity last year.
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 that we have is if guys are going to be willing to fill the roles that we need them to fill. We have a lot of talented kids but we need kids to not be concerned with how much playing time or shots they get, but the overall needs of the team.
Q: What are the biggest goals and expectations for this group heading into the new season?
A: The goals of this team are to compete and get better every night. If we do that then we will be able to compete for the overall goals that we have for our team which are to compete for a league title, substate championship, and state championship.
The Mustangs open their season in St. George with a home game against Clay Center this Friday.