West Creek’s boys basketball squad finished the 2022-2023 season with a 14-9 record, including a 5-3 mark in Class 4A, District 13. However, the team faltered down the stretch, losing its last two regular-season games and bowing out in the district and region tournament.

That was then; this is now. This is a new Coyotes team, including head coach Matthew Hardaway, who replaced longtime head coach Russell Malone. The squad returns nine players who logged significant minutes, including sophomore point guard Kam Bowers, senior guard Devin Smith, senior guard Amaree Lafortune and senior forward Jayoni Harding.

With such a senior-laden class, Coach Hardaway is looking to them to provide leadership, but everyone is expected to be a leader. “I also look for every individual on the team to bring a piece of leadership to the table because I believe they all know that self-accountability is a form of leadership,” he said.

Hanging in the gym is the team’s motto for this season: “One Team One Dream One Creek.” That motto is important to Coach Hardaway. “My expectation is for this team to buy in and to sacrifice for each other. Put individual goals aside and focus on team goals” he said.

Coach Hardaway believes that the players have grown and matured over the offseason. According to him, “The real test for these guys will be in February if they [are] able to use everything they learned and not repeat the same mistakes.”

The Coyotes begin the season this Friday when they host the Montgomery Central Indians at 7:30.

“I would like for all of our students and staff to come out this year to a home game or games of their choice, and not only support the girls’ and boys’ teams but also cheer on loudly during our home games,” Coach Hardaway said. “I want to give our young Coyote athletes an electrifying home-court advantage.”