Basketball season is here at Parkway South High and with the basketball program being in a new conference, it’s gonna be an exciting basketball year for Parkway South.

Coached by Tom Howren, who’s been a coach for 11 years and a freshman coach for 8, the freshman boys basketball team has all new faces and are excited for a new season. With a previous record of 13-7 last season, this year’s freshman team is currently undefeated with a record of 6-0. Leading scorers on the team so far this season are forward/guard Owen Veltrop and forward/guard Conner Rabe.

Everyone is involved with the team’s success this year. Howren said he tries to change the starting lineup every game so that everyone can contribute stats in the game.

“The starting lineup changes every game. I try to get every player to have playing time,” said Howren. “The team works hard, is aggressive, and adjusts well to whatever team they’re playing against.”

Height isn’t really a big factor on the team though, with the tallest player on the team being Jack Finnessy at 6’3” and the tallest starter being Veltrop at 5’11”.

“We’re more of a guard-oriented team. Owen Veltrop is the tallest starter on the team,” Howren said. “We tend to get more points on aggressive defense more than anything.”

The Patriots have moved to a new conference this year, and will face big programs and big schools like Kirkwood, Marquette, Lafayette, Ladue, Webster Groves, and Eureka. So far this season they already beat Kirkwood. The Webster Groves varsity team has won state the past two years.

“With a new conference this season, I don’t know what to expect. I am excited and looking forward to playing Kirkwood, Marquette, and Lafayette,” Howren said.

There’s still some things the team needs to work on as a team though and somethings players need to work on personally.

“As a team we need to work on communication,” Rabe said. “I need to work on shooting because I’m good at driving into the paint, not good from long range. My goal is to be one of the best players on the court and be a good teammate.”

Rabe said he clicks well with teammate and best friend Veltrop who he likes to practice and hangout with on weekends. There’s also things that the team is good at.

“I click very well with Owen Veltrop,” Rabe said. “We’re good at scoring and defense as a team.”

Veltrop said he expects a successful season. He said he has a lot of confidence in the team. “I don’t think we’ll lose more than 3 games,” said Veltrop.

One factor definitely leading to the team’s success is that they’re all friends and know each other well  

“I have a lot of friends on the basketball team, but I click best with Ethan Hetzler and Conner Rabe,” said Veltrop.  

An exciting team to watch play. The Parkway South High School freshman team looks very promising for the rest of the season. Let’s look forward to a great year.

“They’re a hardworking team and they’re smart in play,” said Howren. “I’m excited for the season.”