New-look Jackets still adapting as season tips off

A new era of Kingfisher boys basketball has officially arrived.

The Yellowjackets opened their 2023-24 season on Friday night in Chisholm (after press time of this edition).

Not only did the team consist of all new starters, but the coaching staff is also brand-new.

Gone after a decade is Jared Reese as well as two coaches - Danny Green and Chris Combs - who were part of the most successful stretch in program history.

Taking on the task following that track record is Colby Connel, who has been an assistant on the Edmond Memorial staff for several years.

Connel brings with him Drew Dennis, Connor Brooks and Xavier Bryant as they have been working to mold a group that lost every player who played a considerable role on last year’s semifinal squad.

And only recently did that molding include the entirety of the team as football players didn’t join practices until their season ended about three weeks ago.

“There’s been a lot more energy,” Connel said of the football players being able to round out the team. “It’s always nice to have some healthy competition in practice. We need guys pushing each other to be able to make that happen.”

Now, as the molding progresses, defense has progressed faster than the offense.

I think we will have a high capacity to guard the ball and mix up defenses,” Connel said. “I think as a group we will play guys with a good amount of length and that can muck things up defensively.”

Connel’s goals are to hold opponents under 45 points a game, below 30 percent from 3-point range and below 45 percent shooting overall.

If that happens, it will give the offense time to catch up.

“That’s still a work in progress,” he said, “ but we are making major strides.

“Once our offense get a touch better, I think we will have a shot to be competitive.”

Among those standing out in practices has been senior Coleman Gilles, who Connel dubbed “Mr. Consistent.”

“He has been highly effective just because he plays harder than anyone else,” Connel said. “He’s made tremendous progress since summer and is finishing at the rim with either hand and using his length to really bother opponents defensively.”

A couple other players to watch will have familiar last names to Jacket basketball fans: juniors Carter Kitchens and Matthew Mecklenburg.

Both had older brothers - Caden Kitchens and Maddox Mecklenburg - play major roles in the Jackets’ success the last two years.

Kitchens missed last season with a foot injury.

“He’s been similar (to Gilles) defensively,” Connel said. “He’s been really good at pressuring the ball and challenging opponents’ shots at the rim.”

Mecklenburg will spend most of his time outside of the paint.

“He’s been our best shooter early on,” Connel said. “Hopefully his consistency continues to improve.”

Senior Jake Reagan and sophomore Jhett Birdwell “will both be big contributors offensively as they continue to figure out their roles and responsibilities within our offense,” Connel said.

Those are two of several players making the transition from football to basketball. They’re joined by the likes of Kasen Blair, Ethan Karcher, Jackson Willbanks and Cale Reagan.