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Green Wave basketball concludes summer workouts
MALDEN, Mo. - Malden High School boys basketball finished their summer training in preparation for the 2024 through 2025 season.
Head basketball coach Mike Kilgore said his main focus was on development this summer.
While losing some key seniors, he just wants to make sure the younger players on his roster are ready to step up when the season starts
“I had a couple years where we were low on numbers,” Kilgore said. “I had to learn how to make it a priority for me to get my players better before focusing on playing games during the summer. We have three to four months of playing games, so player development will always be my first priority.”
Last season, the Green Wave boys basketball squad finished with a 21-6 record. This was the first time the program finished with a winning record in six years.
According to the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), this would be the best record in the school’s recent history.
Former player and Missouri State University- West Plains commit Quamareous Farmer said the success the team had last season was due to the culture Kilgore was able to build in his two years at Malden.
“This is the best record year we’ve had in a long time,” Farmer said. “It was fun. It started with Coach Kilgore. He made sure we were dedicated and he kept us motivated no matter what happened. He made sure our team had a good bond.”
Kilgore joined Malden basketball in 2021 after a two year hiatus from coaching. He was the head coach at South Pemiscot High School for three years prior to his position at Malden.
Kilgore said the culture and expectation was established when he first arrived at Malden High School in 2021. He worked to build a program from a 4-17 record to a 21-6 record in two years.
Last season, Malden established themselves as a threat in basketball by winning the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament and the Bootheel Conference Tournament. They also got second in the District Tournament.
Kilgore said coming back after a successful season won’t be easy. Especially with losing 5 seniors from last year, his returning players will be key in the upcoming months.
“In order to be successful, we have to make sure we are putting the right product on the floor,” Kilgroe said. “That only comes from the ones that’s putting in the work to be productive and have the skills to match up with the competitive players in Missouri.”
The summer months are vital for Kilgore and Green Wave basketball.
While many of Kilgore’s athletes will compete in other fall sports along with basketball in the winter, he wants to make sure they know what to prepare for when November comes around.
“Summer training is important because it allows the coach and potential roster players to build a relationship and determine what a player’s strengths and weaknesses are,” Kilgore said. “It also allows players to understand what to look for if they are interested in trying out for the team during the winter.”
While the Green Wave team will have some key returners from last season, Kilgore is hoping to build a deeper roster.
These developing summer months are a huge aid in the process of finding skilled players to come off the bench. In order to be competitive again this season, Kilgore wants reliable players to put on the floor.
“Our opponents will be better and there will be some new faces around due to the transfers and coaching changes,” Kilgore said. “Southeast Missouri and Bootheel Conference basketball will be strong this season. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of bringing back some key pieces to replace our four starting seniors, but I’m sure there are a few kids that I have to recruit in the halls to let them know how they can help us reach the goals we have.”
Kilgore hopes to make another run at the District title, this time with a victory.
He said the team has a brutal schedule and he wants to make sure his team is ready for the challenge. He also wants the community to be ready for the season ahead.
“I just want our students to be excited about Malden Green Wave basketball,” Kilgroe said. “It all starts with an impressive resume to create excitement, then finding dedicated kids that want to improve their skills during the offseason.”