The Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball team finished with a record of 20-5 while earning their fourth consecutive state tournament appearance. Four of their five losses occurred against state qualifiers including their final game, a 71-64 loss against Waukee Northwest at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Cougars had a record of 10-2 through the first stretch of the season with losses to Prairie and Cedar Falls. Through the second stretch of the season the team went 10-3 with losses to Linn Mar and Waukee Northwest.
“You can look back at this season and change a lot of things, the outcome not being what we wanted it to be, but at the end of the day it was a great season,” sophomore Jaxson Bean said. “I enjoyed the time I got to spend with the seniors who mentored me and teammates I was around, turning friends into forever family.”
In the third game of the season, the Cougars scored a season high 100 points against Cedar Rapids Washington. Senior Trey McKowen scored a season high 36 points against the warriors, senior Reuben Schlaak followed with 19 points. The final score was 100-55.
“I think the reason we played so well that night was honestly just the connection and trust we have in each other to make the right plays whether it was defensively or offensively,” sophomore Carter Cook said. “If I had to say one thing that separated us the most, though, I would say it was our communication defensively which led to many turnovers and transition baskets.”
McKowen was a four year varsity player and was a key part of the cougar basketball team this year, leading the team in points per game scored with 22.3, and leading the team in assists per game with 4.9. Mckowen hit 1000 career points in the second round of substate against Pleasant Valley and ended his high school career with 1055.
“I’ve definitely come a long way,” McKowen said. “I couldn’t have asked for better teammates to be alongside me during the journey.
Schlaak was another key factor in this state tournament competing team. Schlaak was the second leading scorer on the team, averaging 12.3 points per game, he was also effective in the rebounding category, leading the team in rebounds with 101 on the season.
Bean and Cook are both sophomores that saw playing time this season. Bean started 23 of 25 games he played in and averaged 5.4 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Cook played in 19 games this season and averaged 2.4 points per game. Bean and Cook are both second year varsity players and will be leading the Cougars heading into the 25-26 season.
“Some guys that come to mind that are going to be key players next season are Jaxson Bean, Sharief Thomas, Carter Cook, Justin Powell and Deacon Kucera,” McKowen said.
