Glennallen Boys Saw Continued Progress Despite Coaching Change

A coaching change after the season had already started could have derailed things for Boys Panthers Basketball. Thankfully, Preston Callison was able to take the reins after former head coach Aidan Fields had to step away from the program due to work commitments.

“I took over mid-January to ensure continuity for the program,” Callison, who was previously an assistant in the program, said. “I’m pleased we made it through the season relatively unscathed. The team progressed throughout the season and showed glimpses of cohesion characteristic of years past and that the community rallies around. Almost half of the team was new to the sport or had limited experience, so this season was really focused on developing individually and together as a collective unit. I had a blast coaching and I thoroughly enjoyed developing mentoring relationships with the boys.”

The Panthers were able to finish the season 5-13 overall, but they made a nice run at regionals, narrowly missing a spot in the state tournament.

“It was hard for it to end the way it did,” Callison said. “Even after our three-point loss to Tok in the first round of regionals, we bounced back and won back-to-back with tremendous effort and intensity,” Callison said. “Losing for a shot for second place in the region gave a taste of what it will take in future years, but nonetheless, it stung for us. We were that close to making the state tournament.”

The good news for the team is that they graduate just two seniors from the line-up: Nicholas Patrick and Jason Neeley.

“Nicholas was a natural leader for us,” Callison said. “While he’s usually pretty quiet, he brings effort and expectation to the rest of the team. Jason returned to the program with renewed energy and focus to improve. And while he wasn’t in the starting line-up, he contributed valuable minutes and worked to be a resource for players new to the sport.”

Callison also pointed out Timothy Severs as a non-senior leader for the team.

“Timothy was new to the team and sport, but contributed a positive spirit and hard-working attitude,” he said. 

The coach is hoping that a productive off-season can get the team over the hump and into the state tournament next winter. Though that’s of course going to take a bunch of work from the players. 

“We want the team focusing on getting better,” Callison said. “Open gym time, team camp, individual work, all of it will contribute to the type of player and team we want to be next season. If we build on the positives of this season, continue to develop skills and acumen for the speed of the game, we can make it to state next year. I believe we are capable of improving on our record and delivering a memorable year.”