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At the beginning of every season, many teams have high expectations.
Yet, very few have expectations that match this year’s Kickapoo boys basketball team.
“The group we have, they’re winners and they’re competitors,” said Head Coach Mitch McHenry. “That really trumps or supersedes the individual accolades or the stats.”
The Chiefs will return all-conference performers Anton Brookshire and Cam Liggins from last year’s Final Four team.
But it’s two new faces that have raised expectations even higher.
“It just feels like a home,” said senior Trevon Brazile “It just feels like home.”
“I love it here it,” added senior Isaac Haney. “It’s been amazing. Everything is done with such professionalism.”
Trevon and Isaac, both transfers, give the Chiefs three division one signees including Brookshire.
Haney is bound for Missouri State while Brazile and Brookshire will head to Mizzou.
It’s a trio very few schools can match, so McHenry has plenty to work with.
“I think we put in a structure where we let them be athletes and let them use their skill and obviously we’re going to coach them hard and we’re going to expect them to work hard and be in the right positions and share the rock,” McHenry said.
With such an influx of talent, it’s fair to wonder if there will be a transition period for the Chiefs.
“It won’t take much time, they play together, they’re high basketball IQ kids, which helps,” McHenry said. “They know the right reads, they know the right plays.”
As for the guys on the floor, they’re excited to be playing together, just as they have in summer ball.
“We’ve played together for five, six years at least. So the chemistry from us three will lead over but we also have to get the team up to speed with us and get everybody on the same page so we can be successful,” Anton said.
The Chiefs will open the season in the Willard Basketball Classic early next month.
