Defending champions look to build off ’24-25 success

What can they do for an encore? The Lovell Bulldogs roll into the 2025-26 season coming off a 26-2 season and a Class 3A state championship, and while they lost four players to graduation including two starters, they have plenty of firepower returning.

The championship squad lost two starting team leaders to graduation in Jace Nicholls and Davin Crosby, along with sixth man Robert Romero and reserve post player James Blau. But the defending champions return not only three starters but several key reserves from the team that beat Cody for the regional and state titles.

Returning starters are senior all-state players Matthew Newman and Owen Walker and all-conference selection Kaeson Anderson, a junior. There are 29 athletes out for the team: seven seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and 10 freshmen, fourth-year head coach Shane Durtsche said, adding that leadership and toughness will be keys to success this season.

With several veterans returning, Durtsche said it has been relatively easy to get the team up to speed.

“Most of our concepts will remain the same, including some of the plays we run in our offenses,” he said. “We made minor changes here and there, but the big things will remain, so we’re further ahead than we might be, just based on the experience.”

Durtsche said practices have been going well.

“The kids are getting after it and competing,” he said. “We’ve seen good things leading into the season. The biggest things will be trying to find just some leaders to step up, and then a toughness with this group. But those have started to emerge, and we’ve seen good competition, and some (players) are sliding into those leadership roles.”

Besides the obvious returning starters, Newman and Walker, other returning senior leaders who saw significant playing time on varsity last season, Durtsche said, are Owen Edwards, Brody Muller, Kyle Wilson and Cash Wassmer. Senior Jaxen Clark moves up from the junior varsity roster. Durtsche said both Wilson and Edwards have stepped up into leadership roles in a big way, as have Muller and Wassmer, though Wassmer has been hobbled with a sprained ankle injured during football season.

Asked about team strengths, Durtsche responded, “Just athletic ability and length – and experience. These seniors have been to the state tournament three times, their freshman through junior years, and last year winning it. So they’ve been in every big game and situation, and obviously Kaeson as a junior has been thrown in that fire with them.”

As for team challenges, Durtsche noted the need for leadership, toughness and “having confidence in themselves and as a group,” especially with the loss of Crosby and Nicholls. 

On offense the Bulldogs will once again look to push the ball, Durtsche said, adding, “We like to get up the floor and see if we can’t get a good shot early in the offense. And we like inside touches. We still like to play an inside out game. We like post touches, or what I call punches, which even if a guard gets into the key, I’d rather have that before the outside shot.

“And just share the basketball. I’m a big believer in sharing the basketball.”

As for defense, the concepts are straightforward, Durtsche said.

“Obviously, we want to get back and locate in transition, and then it’s keep people out of the paint and contest all shots without fouling and then rebound. And so with us, a big thing is just communication on defense. You’ve got to talk and help each other out.

“We’ll probably play a little bit more zone this year than we have. We’re still primarily man, but with the length we have, you’ll see a little of everything from us.”

The lineup

Having lost Nicholls to graduation, the quick ballhandler Newman might seem like the heir apparent, but Durtsche said Anderson will play some point, along with fellow junior Sam Mayes.

“You’re going to see Kaeson play a little at the one (point guard) this year,” the coach said. “And the reason we do that it gives Matthew the freedom to get out and go. So you’ll see Kaeson play anywhere from one to three.”

With Anderson and Newman outside, Edwards will likely be at the three, small forward, position, with Clark also seeing time on the wing. Walker will be a 6-8 power forward (four), Durtsche said, with Wilson a power in the post. Walker will also step outside to play the three, he added.

Muller will work inside at the four, along with Joaquin Scheeler (also a three), and Durtsche said sophomore Grant Hill is emerging as an inside player, along with junior Tazz McArthur.

Looking at the players and their skills, Durtsche noted, “Matthew brings energy on both ends of the floor. He never gets tired, and he’s so fun to watch, I mean, just so explosive and quick out there. Although you’d consider him undersized, because of his athletic ability he’s such a good finisher in the open court.

“Kaeson is Mr. Steady. Nothing looks difficult to him. I look for him to emerge. This is his junior year, and he’ll be even a bigger presence than he was last year. When things break down in the half court case, Kaeson is the one you want with the ball looking to take that shot or make a play. He’s just a tough-nosed competitor. He’s absolutely got the composure, and I don’t worry about him in the big moment at all.”

Edwards was one of the first players off the bench last year and will step into the starting lineup this season, Durtsche said.

“He had some big moments in the postseason,” Durtsche said. “He has looked good this year. His decision-making with the basketball is coming along. He’s been strong with the basketball, knowing his place and taking the shot when he has it, but he’s definitely stepping up as a senior that we can count on as another guy to play defense and get a bucket.”

As for the other Owen, Owen Walker, Durtsche noted that, at 6-8, he will be a force inside even as he improves his skills on the wing.

“He’s so athletic and long and just has such a good skill set,” the coach said. “He’s a mismatch no matter who we play, and he’s going to be the first guy any team you play is going to try to take away. Owen runs the floor so well. He’s stepped up this year, and you can tell he’s taken on more. He’s been a little more aggressive as a leader as well.

“He can play inside. He’s got such a skill set. He’s a really good outside shooter, and he’s a pretty good passer on the perimeter and still just a force inside it, rim protector defensively and rebounder.”

Stepping in at center, Wilson is ready for the challenge, Durtsche said.

“Kyle is really emerging as an inside presence and could be a force for us this year,” he said. “He’s really coming into his own both mentally and physically. He’s a competitor. I always say Kyle’s got some dog in him. He’s just kind of got a mean streak that we need and some toughness. The other thing is that he takes a lot of pressure off of Owen (Walker). If you remember, Owen’s guys were just beating up on him inside. Kyle is a little bit bigger body down there, and I think that’ll help keep Owen a little fresher, too, on both ends of the court.”

Sam Mayes will be the first guard off the bench, Durtsche said.

“Sam has done a really nice job in practice,” he said. “He’s gotten stronger. He’s a capable shooter, another guy that can handle the ball, and he’s got a little bit of varsity experience.

He’s a baller. He loves the game, and he can play.”

Always tough inside, Muller is gaining confidence as a scorer, Durtsche said.

“Brody has emerged,” he said. “He’s getting a little more comfortable taking what the defense gives. He’s willing to score around the basket, and he’s a very good defender and rebounder. And he runs the floor well.”

Also coming off bench, Wassmer, when fully healthy, will play hard and has a nose for the ball, Durtsche said, and tall Clark is becoming more and more confident as a shooter. Scheeler has a high basketball IQ and is a capable shooter, the coach said, and Hill has made great strides with his footwork, confidence and understanding of the game.

Durtsche said the Lovell bench is deeper than it was a year ago, which should be a big plus.

Steven Durtsche returns as the junior varsity coach, and Jake Lohof is the new freshman coach. Volunteers returning are Jared Nicholls and Kevin Walker.

Class 4A openers

The Bulldogs will open the season this weekend at the 4A dominated Casper Classic and will play Casper Kelly Walsh Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ford Wyoming Center, Jackson Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the adjacent facility The Ranch and Riverton Saturday at 9:30 a.m. back at the Ford Wyoming Center.

The East-West Classic follows in Lander on December 19-20 ahead of the Christmas break.