Building A Winning Culture: Boys hope football success leads to hoops confidence

    Two short months ago during football season, many athletes on the Glenrock High School boys basketball team witnessed for the first time what it feels like – and what it takes – to make it to the State playoffs. Head coach Adam Humphrey hopes that magic carries over to hoops where the Herders bring back enough experience to have as good of a shot as anyone.

First, Glenrock will have to fill the void of five seniors gone from last year’s team that finished just one win shy of State. Gone are starters Ayden Moulton, Jaxson Cornella and Casey Sarvey, who was one of the state’s top rebounders in all classifications.

“Last year went well overall.  When I look back on last year, there are certainly things I would love to go back and change. It was a learning experience for the players and coaching staff, and will make us a better team this year because of it,” second-year head coach Adam Humphrey said. “I will  always remember the group of seniors from last year. They did a great job of adjusting to a new coaching staff in their last year and laying a foundation for the younger kids behind them.”

The good news is the Herders welcome back just as many who played significant minutes a year ago, including starters Talon Humphrey and Nate Bigford. Guys that had significant varsity minutes outside of the starters are Brady Dona, Owen Partridge and Colter Lewis, who was injured by season’s end.

Both returning starters are solid shooters, giving GHS a dangerous one-punch from outside. Bigford averaged nine points and 1.6 assists last season and will be a viral part of the success.

“Nate is a really good outside shooter with the ability to get to the basket. He will have to play a leadership role this year as one of our two returning starters from last year,” coach Humphrey said. 

Talon Humphrey was a freshman last year but played like a seasoned veteran. He averaged 8.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals a night in 2024-25.

“He is a great ball handler, driver and shooter.  Was No. 2 on our team last year in steals per game and plays hard on the defensive end. He will also be one of our leaders this year as a returning starter,” coach said. 

One of the strengths this year could be at guard. That’s where Dona and Lewis have experience, both expected to play at the wing spots, giving Glenrock a group of ball handlers that will generate wins this season.

Dona recorded (5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds a game last year. 

“He will be stepping into a bigger role this year. He is a really good athlete with great speed,” his coach praised. “He can shoot on the offensive end and is able to get after it in the full court on defense. He will be a huge piece of our team this year, especially on the defensive end.”

Lewis, back from that injury, averaged 4.4 points and shot an impressive 32 percent from three-point range. 

“Last year Colter got decent minutes off the bench. He is one of our best shooters and will need to play a big role on the offensive end with his shooting ability,” coach said. 

The biggest hole in the lineup to fill will be under the basket where Sarvey has departed. That’s where the Herders will lean on the talent and height of Owen Partridge. Off the bench a year ago, he notched 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest. 

“Owen will play a much bigger role this year for us. He has great length at 6-foot, 6 inches,” coach said. “He has the ability to shoot from the outside as well as play around the rim. Although he is big, he has the ability to get out and run.”

The Glenrock roster has an abundance of athletes on the roster, including senior wing Easton Low who is a bigger guard and solid shooter. The depth at ball handlers includes junior wing Terryn Whitewho coach Humphrey said is also a bigger athletic guard that works hard all around, is a good shooter and defender.

Senior post Miles Wieser will be also be looked upon to give the Herders more muscle under the bucket.

“He’s an athletic ‘big’ that will need to provide some rebounding for us..”

The team could go deep on the lineup with depth at pure athleticism

“Aaron Wasik is a good driver and finisher. He doesn’t have varsity experience but could play a big role on varsity this year. Declan Federer is a physical guard that could see varsity minutes,” coach Humphrey said. “Koi Horn is a young point guard that has developed as a shooter. Could earn some varsity time. Haiden Ward is very athletic and a fast post player. He’s undersized as a big, but plays much bigger than he is.”

Coach Humphrey said there are others who could work into quality minutes, but with no games played yet and less than two weeks of practice, he is still evaluating his 12-man roster. The good thing is the numbers are up just like the school spirit after a great football season that could have a contagious affect onto other sports.

“The first three practices went great. We currently have around 30 kids out which is a good problem to have. We will be a much different team than last year, but we have a lot of potential with this group,” coach Humphrey said. “We certainly have work to do, but we are really excited about the group that we have.”

Glenrock will see its first action of year this weekend at its own Herder Classic. That’s where coaches hope to take the first steps into a rewarding season.

“We have some statistical goals set that apply to every game we play,” coach said. “Before (Christmas) break we want to focus on improving on the defensive end and rebounding. That will require us to play physically like we will need to come conference season.”

The Herders are looking to end an absence from the State tournament, and have the athletes to make it happen. It’s been four years since they made the 2A State tournament and they haven’t made the 3A finals tournament since 2014.

“For us to do that this year will require continuous player development over the course of the season. If we can grow as individuals over the year we will be a good team come tournament time,” coach said.

Overall, Glenrock has more scoring threats than a year ago which will help create some problems for defenses. Shooting will have to strengthen as the season unfolds to make up for the last of size in the paint.

“Our team this year has a lot of athletic guys that can shoot the ball. We should be a better shooting team compared to last year, but we lost size and physicality. That will be something we need to continue to work on and develop over the course of the year,” coach said. 

As for the conference, coach Humphrey said the competition with the most returning talent will be the teams to beat. He is also confident his group has the ability to earn one of those top four seeds at regionals.

“For the conference this year I expect that Douglas will have a very good team. They return three of five starters from last year and have a few kids that will step into those starting roles who have significant experience.  I also expect Wheatland to be good with a couple really good returners from last year,” coach said. “As for us, we need to focus on ourselves and continue to grow every day throughout the season. By the end of the season I definitely think we will be competing for a spot at state.”

Herder Classic

Boys

Friday, Dec. 12

10:30 a.m. vs. Moorcroft

7:30 p.m. vs. Wyoming Indian 

Saturday, Dec. 13

10:30 a.m. vs. Greybull

4 p.m. vs. Rocky Mountain