The CHS Boys Basketball team is starting up again and with it comes a mixture of pressure, excitement, and possibility. The team has faced big changes since last year but players and coaches believe their commitment and effort could make this one of their strongest seasons yet.
Junior Eli Arndt said this season will look different in some major ways.
“I think it’s going to be a big change from last year. We lost two seniors,” Arndt said.
Despite those changes, Arndt says he expects teammates to rise to the occasion.
“I think we’re going to see new people step up to the position,” Arndt said.
Arndt also shared what matters most to him as the season begins.
“I want to win. It’s super big to me but I just want our team to play fundamentally good together,” Arndt said. “I think that’s definitely the biggest goal for this year.”
For senior Sam Benne, the team’s goals include moving farther into postseason.
“I want to make sure everyone gets to states this year,” Benne said.
Last year’s early playoff finish is pushing the team to return stronger.
“Last year we got knocked out of the first round so we’re hoping to go back,” Benne said. “I think it’s going to be one of the best years Conifer’s ever had because we got a lot of guys in here putting in the work and putting in the time.”
The team has some high expectations for themselves this season with the raised hope.
“I want to make it past the first round in playoffs this year for sure,” senior Ben Scheck said. “I think the season is going to go great.”
Head coach Joshua Templeton is adjusting after losing several seniors and is excited to see how new people will be stepping into those roles and how the changing team will play during games throughout the season.
“We lost three really good seniors so we got guys who are going to step into new roles,” Templeton said. “I’m excited to see how they perform and I know that they’re ready for it so it’s going to be fun.”
With their goals set and a determined attitude, the CHS boys basketball team is ready to take on the challenges of the new season.
“Get better. I just want to get better every day,” Templeton said. “Be a great teammate, be resilient and have fun. That’s all we do,” Templeton said.
