By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It’s the dawn of a new era for the Hollister boys basketball program, as rookie head coach Justin Pock takes over and leads the team into its first season in the Mid-Lakes Conference.
Pock is tasked with stabilizing a group that finished 4-22 last winter after back-to-back 20-win seasons — and will now be playing for their third head coach in three years.
“That’s always tough, especially for upperclassmen who have had to adjust to different coaching styles and expectations,” Pock said. “My approach has been to create clear communication and consistency right from the start. I want to establish trust with these guys by being open about our goals and expectations. It’s about building relationships with them and showing that this is a fresh start, but one that’s built on stability. We’re all pulling in the same direction, and I want them to feel confident in where the program is heading.”
The challenge is part of what made the Hollister position so appealing.
“I believe in the potential here,” Pock said. “The school has been so inviting. I see a chance to be part of something special by helping to rebuild and re-energize the program. The talent level in the area is strong and the new players coming in give us a fresh start. The opportunity to develop these young athletes and create a lasting culture of success really drew me in.”
Pock inherits a roster that shares those goals.
The Tigers were exceptionally young last year, with just one player who had any varsity experience prior to November. This year, they’re bringing back seven — including two starters.
“Last year was last year,” Pock said. “This is a new team with guys eager to improve. There was a lot of roster turnover, not much varsity experience, and that can create challenges. We have a few who had some varsity experience last year. I think those experiences will help our returning players this year. The guys we have are motivated to change the direction of the program.”
And what direction are the Tigers headed?
“I am hoping to build a program that’s known for toughness, discipline and a relentless work ethic,” Pock said. “My hope is that fans can expect a team that plays with passion, leaves everything on the floor and represents this community with pride. We will preach to fear no one, but to respect everyone. I want our teams to be aggressive on both ends, never afraid to push the pace or grind it out defensively. At the same time, it’s important to create a culture where our players feel confident and supported as they grow as both athletes and individuals.”
Those athletes include junior Aaron Dang and sophomore Owen Houser, the returning starters.
Seniors Chance Teckemeyer and Aiden Burton and juniors Tyler Carpenter, Layton Donohew and Aiden Gilbert also contributed to the varsity last year and could challenge for starting jobs.
“The guys are all newcomers to me,” Pock said. “We are trying to figure out what each players strength(s) are and how they will gel together. I think a lot of these guys will make immediate contributions this year in their new roles and they’ve got bright futures ahead of them.”
Hollister will welcome seven true varsity rookies who could see playing time.
“We’re also expecting a lot from our sophomore class consisting of Riley Wallace, Caleb Dathan, Ethan Daniels, Kaidon Williams, Atticus Gennarelli and Israel Tyler who have a mix of size and athleticism to make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor for us this year,” Pock added.
While the Tigers won’t be as inexperienced as last winter, the influx of new talent will still present a challenge.
“One of the big questions is how quickly we can gel as a team with so many new faces,” Pock said. “It’s going to take some time to develop chemistry on the court. I’m also curious to see how we handle adversity when things get tough. With a young and relatively inexperienced group, there will be growing pains — and how we respond in those moments will be crucial for our long-term success.”
As the Tigers try to find their ideal lineup, they know there’s no shortage of options.
“Our biggest strength is our athleticism and versatility,” Pock said. “We’ve got a group that can play fast and really get after it defensively, which will allow us to pressure teams and create transition opportunities. I think that will help us compete at a high level every game.”
Following a November 19 jamboree at Billings, the Tigers will open the regular season on November 22 at Miller. Their first Mid-Lakes Conference game will be January 28 at Fair Grove.
“Moving to the Mid-Lakes Conference is a great opportunity for us to establish ourselves against good competition,” Pock said. “It’s a fresh start in a way, and we’re approaching it as a chance to prove that Hollister belongs at a high level. The competition will be tough, but it also gives us a chance to raise our game. We’re preparing by focusing on fundamentals and ensuring that we’re disciplined in everything we do.”
