Trojans focused on opener

When the Whitehall High School boy's basketball team opens the 2016-17 season Saturday at Manhattan Christian, they will do so with a plethora of returning talent.

The defending Class 5B Regular Season champions will return three All-Conference players. Senior Braden Larsen was first team All-Conference and All-State, senior Andrew Simon was first team All-Conference, and sophomore Max Feight was second team All-Conference.

Head Coach Zach McLean said the team has been very excited to get back to work, but they are already putting last year behind them, and working on getting better at practice everyday.

"I have been really pleased with the focus of our team right now. Its early in the year and this game is coming on us fast. We are just focusing on us playing hard and playing for each other," he said.

Whitehall is currently dealing with several injuries and McLean said that health is a concern for the team when they open the season Saturday.

"We want our guys to be at full strength when conference season rolls around. Some of our guys will be forced into different roles possibly, but that is athletics. Its next man up and our guys know that," he said.

McLean added senior Colton Noyes has been playing with a lot more confidence this year and they expect him to have a nice season.

He said junior Wyatt Alexander really developed nicely over the summer and has broadened his game. McLean was also impressed with the play of junior Braden Smith.

"Braden is an athlete that can play multiple positions for us. He is one of our best defenders and can really guard one through five," McLean said.

Cade Briggs will be another key player for the Trojans. McLean said Briggs had a freak injury over the summer, but he has worked his tail off to get back onto the court.