The Roughers enter this basketball season with a simple yet well-defined game plan as Lenny Bert takes charge of the boys’ basketball program after establishing a championship mindset anchored by defense for more than two decades in Oklahoma high school basketball.
“We’re all about today, tomorrow and not looking back,” explained Bert whose teams at Putnam City West reached the Class 6A state tournament eight years in a row including the 2016 state championship. “We’re focused on getting better every day and doing things the right way.”
This year’s new beginning will initially evolve around the skills of VYPE Top 100 nominee Kelan Payne (6’0, Sr. PG) who gives the Roughers the experience of a 3-year veteran on the court.
“Because he’s so quick and so fast, it’s hard for defenders to stay in front of Kelan,” explained Bert. “He’s a point guard that can change the pace of the game by forcing tempo offensively and create defensive pressure on the other end.”
Also returning from last year’s roster is 3-year starter Traylin Reed (6’3, Jr.) who can play the point as well as serve as a reliable shooting guard along with Wendell Brown (6’1, Sr.) who transferred to Muskogee from Enid.
The Roughers get added athleticism as Jamie Beasley (6-3, Sr.) returns to the hardwood in Rougher Village.
Describing this year’s Muskogee roster as one similar to his first season at Putnam City West, where he coached for 14 years, the Roughers will blend the efforts of young and old alike including a pair of talented freshmen, Jordan Mitchell (6’0, Fr. G) and Caleb Gray (6’3, Fr. G) along with Kassius Green (5’8 So. G) plus James Smith (6’0, Jr. G) and JuJu Mayes (5’8, Jr. G) while the front line develops bolstered by the size and efforts of John Michael Webber (6’4, Jr. F), Pharoah Grant (6’7, Sr. F) as well as JoJo Alexander (6’3, Jr. F), Luke Dansby (6’6, So. F), Eli Shelby (6’2, So. G) and Lynwood Wade IV (6’1, Fr. F).
“We want to dictate pace on offense as well as defensively,” said Bert. “Our aim is to be a team that plays hard and plays together while displaying toughness.”
