It’s music to the ears of Jefferson County cager fans: Squeaky shoes on hardwood and the rhythmic thud of a bouncing ball — the sweet sounds of hoops, as Jefferson High’s basketball squads begin their season.
This year the Panthers boys’ squad looks to capitalize on its athleticism as it builds on a 12-11 season last year, which ended with narrow defeats to Huntley Project and Baker in the South Division tournament.
Anthony Connole, in his fifth year as head coach, said that this year’s team is poised for an exciting season focused on up-tempo, aggressive play on both ends of the floor.
“The team is really well-rounded,” said Connole. “I think we have the height and length that will help us with a pressure-style offense and defense.”
The Panthers graduated four seniors last year including Zach Zody, Dylan Root, Caleb Smartnick and Michael Emter. Those team elders accounted for nearly 24 points a game in the ‘22-’23 season.
This year, JHS boasts a comparatively formidable seven seniors. One of those seniors, co-captain Kael Hesford, told The Monitor that he is confident in the Panthers’ chances. “We have a lot of potential and great team chemistry,” Hesford said. “We have just been playing together for so long.”
The 6’1” senior recorded nearly 7.5 points and 2.5 rebounds last season, helping to spread the floor with an impressive 36% shooting percentage from deep.
Hesford is accepting his role as a team leader with an emphasis on encouragement. “It is kind of surreal,” Hesford said about his role as a senior.“ I just try to always keep a positive attitude. You always have upperclassmen to look up to — now they are looking up to us.”
Coach Connole is grateful for a group of guys who are committed to the success of the team, saying, “We had 15 to 20 guys showing up everyday over the summer. That makes a huge difference.”
Hesford added, “We have high expectations.”
The Panthers made a strong season debut in Red Lodge Dec. 8-9, besting conference rivals Columbus, 46-41, and Sweet Grass, 73-42, in the 2023 Woodden Memorial Tip Off tournament.
The Panthers open their regular season in Boulder this week, with home games against conference foes Three Forks on Dec. 14 and Manhattan on Dec. 15.
Wrestling reboot
Of course basketball isn’t the only team in search of post-season success. Troy Humphrey, in his 26th year as coach of the Jefferson wrestlers, told The Monitor, “it’s not out of bounds to say the team could bring home a trophy.”
This season, 23 wrestlers will go to battle under the team brand of #WeAreJeffersonWrestling — a banner that Humphrey believes reflects the group’s kinship.
“We spend so much time traveling, and there isn’t a separation between varsity and other teams — everyone counts,” Humphrey said. “It’s kind of like a big brother/little brother relationship with the guys.”
An obvious presence in the wrestling room, senior and team captain Dayton Brown recognizes the obstacles of an ever changing core.
“It’s a change in leadership every year,” said Brown, “We also lost both of our assistant coaches.”
Among Jefferson’s losses are the seven seniors that led JHS to a 4th place state finish a year ago.
Brown said, “It’s different looking up to those captains and now this year I have to be that guy — It makes you want to be better.”
However, Brown credits the success of JHS wrestling to its coach. “The team’s greatest advantage is having Coach Humphrey. I couldn’t ask for a better leader.”
The grapplers tested their mettle on Dec. 7 at the Jefferson High Mixer, their traditional season-opening tournament, and then traveled to Whitehall Dec. 8 and 9 for a duals tournament. This weekend, they’ll be in Great Falls for the CMR Holiday Tournament.
