Relationships at the center of success

Backed by one of the best basketball players in Missouri, a game-changing newcomer, and a pair of seniors who have become synonymous with Plattsburg sports, the Tigers set out for a record-breaking basketball season last December and succeeded more than anyone could have imagined.

Leading the way this season was junior Isaia Howard, a 6’5” versatile player who can do nearly anything on a basketball court, whether its draining the deep shot, slamming home an alley-oop, or changing the entire momentum of the game with a steal and score.

Before his third season was even in the books, Howard surpassed both Travis Whiteley (1,781 points) and Christy Jones (1,847 points) to become Plattsburg’s alltime scoring leader. Ironically, for all of the accolades, the person least impressed with Howard’s resume might be Howard, himself. “He’s just so unselfish as a player,” said Coach T. “To have the type of season he had, with the numbers that he had – he doesn’t care about his own personal accomplishments. He cares about what the team does.”

The senior duo of Luke Schroeder and Jackson Lewis have been central figures in many of Plattsburg’s athletic successes the last four years, including a run to the state semifinals in baseball last spring. Coach T said they served as the foundation of the basketball program when he arrived last year.

“Those guys have been bought in since the time that I met them, from last year to this year,” the coach said. “Those relationships that I built with those guys translated to the floor. They added pieces to our team that weren’t calculated in the stat sheet like Braddy’s and Howard’s numbers. But Luke, we wouldn’t have been where we were if it weren’t for all of the minutes he played, and Jack also being able to hit timely shots all of time. I’m very thankful for those two guys being a part of our program the last two years.”

Relationships both new and old have been at the center of Plattsburg’s efforts this winter.

“We have some kids I’ve played with since the second grade,” Schroeder said. “We also have some kids I’ve only played with since high school. We were all close friends. It was awesome being a part of the best basketball team in Plattsburg history together.”

One of those new relationships helped spark Plattsburg’s run, as senior newcomer James Braddy was a relentless force at the point guard position. Coach T said that James brought the same energy to the court that the coach, himself, brings to the sidelines, and James helped the team push the pace of play.

He added that he was happy for James this season, as the senior earned each and every accolade he received.

“I’ve known Braddy since he was a little boy and what he brought to our program and our school was a little bit of toughness that we needed on the floor,” said Coach T.

“It was a great year just being new and being around a great group of guys,” Braddy said. “Being around Isaia and welcoming me in, and Coach T. It has been a blessing to grow with the ones around me and win at the end of the day.”

Rylan Langton was the youngster of the starting line-up in 2023. Coach T said the sophomore gained some varsity experience as a freshman and was important to the team’s success this year.

“This year, he had to step up into a different role to play major minutes for us from the jump.” said Coach T. “He started off in a slump offensively at the beginning of the season. But as the season progressed, he got more aggressive and had a really big game against Mid-Buchanan.”

In that contest, the Dragons managed to keep both Braddy and Howard relatively in check, but Langton countered with six three-pointers for 18 points. Coach T said he was happy for Langton and his breakout performance.

When the Tigers needed