New year, new team for Triad Boys Basketball
By Ray Popkess
In a 2024-25 season that saw the Knights excel further than they’d ever been in the IHSA State Tournament, Coach Jeff Guidry believes that this year’s group of hoopers has potential to be special again.
While members of the team have been competing in their offseason leagues, the first few games of the season will lay the foundation for the year they hope to have.
When asked what part of the season was more exciting: starting fresh or preparing for a postseason poised to make a run, Guidry’s philosophy was clear. “Going into a new season is the most exciting part of it. We never want to put the cart before the horse but we do want to take things one practice at a time.”
Teams across the state recently completed their first official week of practice, with opening contests having been played earlier this week.
Six years ago, Guidry took over the reins as the head boys’ basketball coach for the Knights with a vision for the program at all levels. Since his hiring, he has amassed a 126-55 record, including last year’s appearance in the Elite Eight, a separate trip to the Sweet 16 and two appearances in the regional finals. Despite all the recent success, his vision for the program hasn’t wavered.
“It starts with putting the kids first. Even through winning and losing, we’re trying to provide our athletes with the best experience we possibly can. We’re trying to teach them that [playing] any sport is an opportunity to grow as a person. Once you focus on developing the person, the winning takes care of itself.”
For Guidry, re-igniting a dimmed flame for Triad basketball started with being present for the youth program. “The summer I got hired, I think we had around 55 kids come out to our summer camp. In recent years, now we’re averaging somewhere between 120 and 150 kids.”
Another big component to Triad’s recent athletic success has been the resurgence of multi-sport athletes.
“When I took the job six years ago, I was familiar with Triad athletics as a whole and there are plenty of athletes here. We just have to get those athletes on the court playing basketball and believing in what we do,” says Guidry. “We want to put a ball in their hands for four months and show that if we play the right way and teach them the right things, then we can compete.”
One of the leaders the Knights should look to the most this year is Tyler Thompson, a starter on Triad’s 2022-23 Sweet Sixteen team as a freshman. “He was kind of a quiet, laid back guy on that team. Now he’s blossomed into this great leader and this is his first opportunity to take charge at the varsity level.”
One of the more interesting components of this year’s squad is the selflessness from the bench. “We always have those guys that understand that ‘I’m a role [player] and this is something I want to be a part of.’ That’s huge. It started back with our first group and you continue to see that culture get passed down.”
Another freshman that started on the varsity squad last year is Tyler’s brother, Lucas, a player that Guidry expects to take on a more prominent role this season. “A lot of times when you have a varsity starter going into their sophomore season, there’s an adjustment. You go from being the fifth option on the court to becoming the first or second option sometimes. He’s an extremely gifted player and I’m excited about him for the next three years.”
Senior Nolan Keller, another multi-sport athlete that committed earlier this fall to play baseball at Kaskaskia College, will also be a crucial piece to the Knights’ success. “[Keller] can be an All-Conference-level player for us, and had a tremendous season for us last year.” He averaged 8.6 points per game last year with a 44.7% shooting percentage.
Rounding out the first rotation for the Knights are junior Justin Schrage and senior Mac Musgrave. “What we get from them will determine how far we can go. Both guys played big parts [last season] for us coming off the bench and giving us quality minutes.”
Bench contributions will be a critical facet of Guidry’s gameplan, as he also expects players like junior Maddox Hunt, seniors Brayden Riney and Zac Scott to step into bigger roles this year.
Triad will tip off their season against Charleston on Nov. 25 at home, followed by their annual Stove Top Classic held at Triad High School. They face Mt. Vernon on Nov. 26 at 7:00 p.m., and face Mascoutah and Collinsville on Nov. 29 at 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.
