By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In Cort Hardy’s first season leading the Seneca boys basketball program, the Indians went 17-12 and won their first district championship since 2013.
Seneca has a chance to make more noise in 2024. The Indians return the majority of their 2023 roster, with the exception being All-Big 8 West first-teamer Cooper Long who graduated.
Hardy looks to hit the ground running in his second season at the helm.
“Coming into my second year as a head coach, I feel more comfortable just knowing the strengths and weaknesses of my players,” Hardy said. “The players know the system and are more comfortable with me, so it feels like we have more of a head start this year.
“I think last year with our football team making a deep run in the playoffs we were having to play catchup all year and really didn’t get our feet under us until late January. We expect to pick up where we left off from last year and this summer.”
Morgan Vaughn, an all-conference performer, will look to lead Seneca after averaging 9.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, one assist and nearly one steal. The 6-foot-1 senior was also an all-district player last season.
“We look for him to have a big year,” Hardy said. “He is a strong and athletic player that can really score the ball well around the basketball, but is also capable of stepping out and hitting a 3.”
Gavyn Hoover, a 6-1 senior, contributed 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals. Hoover, a standout quarterback, comes off helping the Indians football team make a deep state playoff run.
“Gavyn is a do-it-all type of player for us,” Hardy said. “He can guard multiple positions and has really developed into an elite playmaker. He had a great summer, and we look for him to have a big year for us again as our team captain.”
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Ethan Altic (6-0) and Blake Hurn (6-2) round out Seneca’s senior class. Altic averaged 6.7 points and nearly two rebounds last year, while Hurn chipped in 6.2 points with four rebounds and nearly two assists.
“Ethan is a player who is due for a breakout year,” Hardy said. “He had some huge games last year leading us in scoring, and he is also returning off of an all-district defensive team performance. He is a big difference-maker for us defensively and offensively.
“Blake is a very athletically gifted player. He is a great playmaker who also led us in rebounding and tied for second on the team in assists.”
Zane Grotjohn, a 5-11 junior, comes off a strong sophomore campaign that saw him average 7.1 points, 2.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
“Zane is an elite shooter with a high basketball IQ,” Hardy said. “He runs the show for us and is a junior to be on the lookout for.”
Jace Schulte (6-0 junior) looks to take a step forward after averaging 3.1 points and 1.3 rebounds. Hardy said Schulte on any given night can be one of the most skilled players on the floor and is a true gym rat, who looks to contribute in a big way and make a name for himself in 2024.
Newcomers Gabe Sikes (6-7 senior), Kade Johnson (5-11 senior), Jace Wilson (5-10 senior) and Dom Brown Jr. (6-1 junior) look to compete for varsity time.
Hardy said Sikes will be a difference maker as a rim protector, possessing good touch around the basket and is capable of stepping out and shooting from the perimeter. Johnson, a baseball standout, is described as a “defensive ace” who has worked hard on developing his game.
Wilson is a scrappy player willing to do anything for the team, while Hardy mentioned that Brown Jr. is a strong forward with great feet and someone that moves well for his size.
“Our strengths are our quickness and athletic ability,” Hardy said. “We are a well-balanced team, which allows us to be very interchangeable and makes it fun for us as a coaching staff but also more challenging to play against. We look to rely upon our valuable experienced seniors and juniors this year.
“We want to compete for conference and district championships. We want to take one game at a time and one goal at a time. Our boys are excited for this upcoming season and are holding themselves to a high standard. They want to have a historic year for Seneca basketball and try to make a deep run in the state playoffs.”
Seneca opens the season at home against Miami (Okla.) on Dec. 5.
