Photo by Daniel Mohrmann

Davis Mack, left, defends Evan Yount during a 5-on-5 drill at a basketball practice.

For the first time in his career as a head coach, Brian Vecchio is seeing significant roster turnover for the Manitou Springs boys basketball team. But that’s not stopping him from telling those who are returning or who are new to the varsity team that Manitou basketball isn’t about the people on the roster, but rather how those people play the game.

“I think as far as the overall philosophy and how we try and play, a lot of that remains the same,” Vecchio said. “We have some minor adjustments that might just fit our personnel a little bit better.”

The Mustangs’ cupboard is far from bare after last year’s team matched the second-best finish in program history, a Class 3A Final 4 appearance.

Point guard Caleb Allen is back, although he is recovering from a torn ACL so his exact return to the court hasn’t been determined as of press time. Lairden Rogge is the only other starter returning from last year and forward John Maynard will likely transition from the bench to starting role as he enters his junior season.

“I’ve been working on a lot of post moves since I’m the only big man left (from last year),” Maynard said. “I’m also getting shots up, trying to become a better shooter. Getting better with my ball control, stuff like that.”

In terms of offense, the Mustangs lost a lot from last year, when seniors Joah Armour and Isaiah Thomas accounted for about 26 points per game.

Among the key returners for the Mustangs, Allen and Maynard each averaged just shy of 10 points per game. They’ll likely see increased shot opportunities and Manitou will also see increased production from Rogge and Ethan Boren. 

Rogge did most of his best work on the defensive end last season and knows it’s important to maintain that standard while trying his best to add big contributions on offense. 

“I have to maximize my looks, on offense especially,” Rogge said. “If I get a good, open shot I have to make sure I’m knocking it down and also helping to create looks for my teammates. Getting them open, hitting them on backdoor passes and all that.”

The Mustangs will have their hands full in the Tri-Peaks League this year as St. Mary’s also returns significant players from last year’s team, which got by the Mustangs in the state semifinals. Vecchio will rely heavily on his upperclassmen, especially those who were key to the Mustangs’ success last season, to maintain a high level of play throughout the 2021-22 season.

“Out of those guys, we’re expecting their leadership and their effort every day in practice,” Vecchio said. “We’ve talked to those guys about them just being role models and setting the tone every day.”

The Mustangs open the season at home against Peyton on Wednesday, Dec. 1. The schedule is travel-heavy this year as the Mustangs play just eight home games all season and go without a home game from Dec. 1 to Jan. 7. That’s when they’ll play Banning Lewis in their first league home game.