After a standout 18-5 season in 2024-25, the South Loup Bobcat boys basketball squad heads into the 2025-26 campaign with high expectations and a roster ready to prove itself once again. While the team has 18 players out this year, the Bobcats face the challenge of replacing five key contributors from last season’s squad, including Harper Johnson, AJ Starr, Ethan Furne, Carter Wood, and Caleb McFate.

Head Coach Jeff Cole believes several returning players and newcomers can step into bigger roles. “We’re going to need a number of guys to step up for us if we’re going to have a successful season,” Cole said. He pointed to Caleb Furrow, Tysen Schacher, Malachi Neth, and Callan Witthun—who showed promise in last year’s junior varsity games—as potential contributors. A few freshmen could also see quality minutes, providing added depth to the roster.

The team faces a challenging schedule, with many opponents returning the bulk of their squads from last season. “We’ll have our hands full on a nightly basis,” Cole said. “It will be exciting to see how this group gels together and how the season plays out.” Despite the challenges, the Bobcats aim to compete at a high level every game.

Cole outlined the team’s goals simply: “All we ever ask of our kids is to play hard, play smart, play together, and have fun. If they accomplish those things, everything else will take care of itself.” He added that the team’s strength lies in the return of its top three scorers from last season, though the loss of athleticism and depth means other players will need to contribute consistently to create success for the team.

With a mix of experienced scorers, developing players, and promising newcomers, the Bobcats are poised for a competitive season. Assistant coaches Mike Weverka and Travis Sherbeck will help guide the team, ensuring that the Bobcats remain focused, cohesive, and ready to shake things up.

The Bobcats will face the Twin Loup Wolves at home on Friday, Dec. 5, with JV and girls’ games starting at 4 p.m., followed by the boys. On Saturday, Dec. 6, they travel to Amherst and will take the court at 1 p.m. for the JV squads, followed by Varsity directly after.