By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Southwest boys basketball team last won a district championship 57 years ago. The wait officially ended in 2023 when the Trojans knocked off Stockton 56-42 to capture that elusive district title, finishing with a record of 21-8.
Southwest graduated four players but returns four players. Leading the way will be a pair of All-SWCL performers in Brendyn Paulsen and Kasen Holder.
Naturally, Southwest has high aspirations entering the 2024 campaign.
“Coming off a district championship year will undoubtedly bring expectations,” Trojans coach Rusty Roe said. “This isn’t a bad thing, but it is something that we can’t get caught up in. We are a new team and anything we will achieve this year will have to be earned just like last year.”
Paulsen, standing at 6-foot-6, was a first team All-SWCL selection. The senior averaged 14.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and one steal last season. Holder, a 6-3 junior, contributed 10.1 points, 4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.4 assists.
“Brendyn is a 6-6 player that can use his body inside, doesn’t mind contact, can finish well and has footwork and post moves that make it impossible to defend at times,” Roe said. “Oh yeah, and he can step out and consistently knock down 3-pointers. Brendyn has done a great job in the weight room this offseason and is expected to be pushing a double-double for points and rebounds this year.
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“Kasen is a junior that still has a very high ceiling. This is not to say that he hasn’t already reached a high level of play at varsity, but I believe he will improve even more throughout this season. His athleticism allows him to be a great threat at attacking the basket as well as a hard-to-guard jump shot. Kasen has improved his defense after playing AAU this past summer and going up against a higher level of speed and power.”
Southwest will lean on the additional senior leadership of Charlie Pippin (6-4) and Caleb Ayer (6-0). Pippin chipped in nearly four rebounds and three points last year, while Ayer looks for an expanded varsity role.
“Charlie is perhaps the most vital part to our team having success this year,” Roe said. “He is such a versatile defender and offensive player that we must have him playing big minutes. His intelligence is only matched by his work ethic. He is every coach’s ideal player for progressing through high school; he just gets better each year.
“No doubt we will need CA to shoot the ball well this season. If he does a good job working off of our other scorers, then fans should expect big games from CA. His perimeter shooting is his biggest threat, but he has some size now that he hasn’t had in the past. He has gotten stronger this offseason and should be a huge asset for us this season.”
Juniors Brady Brinkman (5-9), Tyler Meek (5-8), Braydan Rose (6-1) and Denver Weston (6-1) will be first-year varsity players. Roe said all four did a great job of fitting into the team and playing a role during the summer.
Roe mentioned Brinkman has the potential to play a lot of minutes at the guard position as the junior gets to the basket well. Meek is described as a good outside shooter and capable guard, while Rose provides a good body inside who embraces the physical part of the game and will be looked to for rebounds.
Weston is expected to play a role off the bench, giving rest to Southwest’s post players. Roe said Weston showed a new work ethic during the offseason and could see increased time as the season goes on.
The Trojans averaged 58.9 points per game last season while holding the opposition to 52.8. Roe is excited about the season ahead.
“We lost half of our varsity team from last season, but I am truly confident in this group of young men,” Roe said. “They will be a good team and it should once again be a great time for our fans and community to watch them play.”
Southwest hosts a jamboree with Wheaton and Exeter on Nov. 10. The Trojans entertain the Tigers on Nov. 17 to open the season.
