Basketball Looking to Build Off Last Year’s Showing–Even While Facing Losses

The Hawklets are making their way back onto the hardwood as basketball season is now underway. Rockhurst will be led by head coach Billy Thomas in his second year at the helm. The Hawklets are coming off a season in which they finished with a 15-11 record. This came one year after Rockhurst managed only nine wins in an injury-plagued season. Thomas was pleased with his inaugural year with the team.

“We got the right amount of buy-in from the kids,” Thomas said. “I think we got off on the right foot for it being the first year.”

However, the new season brings new challenges for the Hawklets. Rockhurst will miss graduated senior Miles White this year. White was the Hawklets’ leading scorer and assist man last year. He averaged 13 points per game as the team’s starting point guard. 

Rockhurst might also be without junior center Andrew Sprague, whose status is uncertain due to a shoulder injury. Sprague was a member of the all-district team and averaged 11 points for the Hawklets as a sophomore. He also led the team in rebounding, collecting eight boards per contest. 

Sprague and White’s absence will leave a gap in Rockhurst’s offensive production, but Thomas looks at it as an opportunity for the rest of the team to step up.

 “We’re going to have more guys who are able to contribute then having to just depend on two guys,” he said. “I’m excited about the challenge of it, and I know our kids will rise to the occasion.”

Brian Humphrey is a returning player who is looking to have a great senior campaign. Humphrey started at shooting guard for Rockhurst last year and was an honorable mention for the all-district team. He is known best for his shooting ability, leading last year’s team with 40 three point field goals made. Humphrey is optimistic that the team can build off of his junior year, which ended in a district semifinal loss to the Raytown Bluejays.

“My goal for the team is to win a district championship,” Humphrey said. “Last year we were not able to accomplish that, so that’s definitely something that we really want to do.”

Still, he recognizes that a successful season will require a great amount of dedication from the Hawklets. Rockhurst competes at the highest level of high school basketball in Missouri Class 6, which creates a strong schedule.

“We need to play to our best ability every single game,” said Humphrey. “We have to expect the best out of ourselves.” 

The Hawklets will also look for contributions from newcomers. Junior small forward Myles Carson is one of these players who is looking to play a key role in the team’s success. Carson had a vital role on last year’s junior varsity team and is excited for the opportunity to contribute at the varsity level.

“I look forward to having a bigger role on the team,” said Carson. “I want to help my teammates get better each and every day.”

The season will officially kick off for the Hawklets on Nov. 29. They will start the year on the road as they take on the Ruskin Golden Eagles. Ruskin is coming off a 16-11 season which included a 58-48 victory over the Hawklets.