STILLWELL INDIANS

BOYS

Coach: Mike George

23-24 Record: 24-6

Despite losing a key starter halfway through the season last year, the Stilwell Indians still made it back to the Class 4A state tournament for the second straight year and with four players who had starting experience returning, coach Mike George is optimistic about another return to Oklahoma City.

Senior Brayden George is the coach’s son and is the sparkplug of this year’s team. He suffered a knee injury early in the second semester last year which cut his season short.

“Brayden was injured in the Fort Gibson Tournament last year and was averaging 12.5 points and five rebounds a game at the time. He made the all-tournament teams at Vinita and Fort Gibson. He has recovered and looks to have learned many aspects of the game sitting by the coaches while he was injured,” said George.

The head coach provided a run down on who else will be expected to have an impact for the Indians this season.

“Kason Dowdy and Juan Martinez are both back for their senior seasons and were crucial to our success last year. Chase Benham came off the bench at post and has done a good job during the summer. We’re looking to develop our depth with junior Chris Canoe along with sophomores Isaac Livers, Lucas Muskrat, Remie Bogart, Daylan Watie, Luke Duncan and Brayton Carter who had a great freshman season. He came on last year after Brayden was hurt and really grew as a playmaker averaging 10.3 points and five rebounds a game. He was on the all-tournament team at Vinita and was first team all-conference and the conference newcomer of the year,” said the veteran head coach.

Another player that George is keeping an eye on is freshman Denver Bruner.

“He’s a very athletic young man with a good head about the game and as he learns our philosophy, he will strive to become a very good player,” said George.