LINDEN - North Montgomery’s boys’ basketball team is tired. Not physically tired, but rather tired of coming up short in the victory column. With just two wins in each of the last two seasons, the Chargers are optimistic they have what it will take to taste more victories this season.
Charger Coach Chad Arnold has more players out for basketball than he has had since arriving to coach North Montgomery in the 2019-2020 season. Arnold said the larger numbers, and especially the number of upper classmen, means players are having to earn playing time.
“There is a lot of competition at every spot for both the varsity and junior varsity, which in return makes the practices very competitive”, Arnold said. “This definitely a good problem to have.”
North Montgomery has found it difficult to score points the past two years to go along with a decent defense. However, this year Arnold thinks the scoring problem could be a thing in the past.
“I think we have a lot of guys that can help us offensively in different ways”, Arnold said. “I believe our best strength is the ability to shoot the basketball. I also know we have some guys on this team that have the ability to really defend.”
Returning players who saw a lot of playing time last year include seniors Colton Zachary and Drew Norman. Also returning are juniors Jarrod Kirsch and Ross Dyson along with sophomore Kelby Harwood.
Newcomers to the team are seniors Mikale Willis and Ryder Punke, juniors Nate McCoy and Noah Hopkins. Sophomores moving up to the varsity are Paul Lueking and Cameron Enlow.
Arnold said the mix of returning players and talented newcomers is a welcome situation. He said the players are beginning to mesh and he said they have been giving good effort in practice.
“I love the way the guys have been practicing,” Arnold said. “Their attitudes have been great and they are working hard. They are confident. I always say you win with juniors and seniors and now we have a team with mostly juniors and seniors that played a ton of varsity minutes the past few years”..
The attitude at practices needs to convert to games which will put a competitive team on the court according the Arnold. He said Charger fans will appreciate the effort.
“I believe our fans are going to see a team that plays hard and is going to defend,” concluded Arnold.
North Montgomery will open the new season in Charger Gym on Tuesday with girl/boy doubleheader against Fountain Central.
