Scott Hodges and his players sometimes have flashbacks.
The Broncos were only a pair of possessions away from reaching the State Tournament last March and just thinking about the outcome vs Edmond North and Deer Creek in the Regional and Area Tournaments has led to some sleepless nights.
“We were close, man,” said Hodges, who enters his fifth season at MHS. “But I think that has added a little fuel to the fire coming into this season.
“Now we’re even more hungry. We have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder.”
The Broncos opened the 2023-24 regular season on Tuesday night, defeating Capitol Hill 96-27 in Oklahoma City. It was the team’s first-ever district game and also the first glimpse at what has Hodges and his staff so excited for the new campaign.
“Competitive,” Mustang’s coach said when asked how to describe his squad. “We have a good mix of experience and guys that haven’t played a lot or at all at the varsity level. This is a group that competes really hard in practice and knows that they have something to prove.”
Standout guard Roman Miller (Jr.) returns after a strong sophomore season.
He finished second on the team with 16.2 points per game in 2022-23 and also showed his versatility in all phases, leading the team in rebounds (142) and blocks (29) while finishing third in assists (52).
The 6-foot-4 junior is expected to once again be one of Mustang’s top offensive and defensive threats.
“He’s shooting better and got stronger in the offseason,” Hodges said. “He put on a good 10 to 15 pounds and is a legit 6-foot-4 now… He’s a great kid who works hard in practice and is super coachable.
“He has such a knack for scoring and has a ton of potential we think he can still unlock. He really showed it in that game against Edmond North in the regional where he dropped 35. He’s capable of that and more and we think he is going to have a big year.”
Roman Miller (Jr.) returns for the Broncos after a fantastic sophomore season. He averaged just over 16 points per game last year while leading the team in rebounding and blocks. He is expected to once again be a go-to threat on both ends in 2023-24. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Chance Rodgers, Cole Clipson, and L.B. Hayes lead a group of seniors ready to cap their high school careers with a trip to the State Tournament. The trio combined to average just over 13 points per game last year.
Rodgers finished with a 40-percent mark from three-point range last season, providing Mustang with an elite threat from beyond the arc. He also finished with 32 assists and has the ability to handle the ball in all situations.
Hodges said Rodgers changed his body in the offseason and he should be able to score in more ways this winter.
Clipson, who stands 6-foot-6 at the center position, averaged just over five points per game last season while grabbing 80 total rebounds. He missed half of his junior year with an injury but came back strong after Christmas Break and provided the Broncos with key minutes in the post.
L.B. Hayes played a “big role” for Mustang last season at both guard positions. He finished third on the team with 41 assists as a junior and is coming off a strong campaign in football. Hodges loves Hayes’ versatility and high basketball IQ.
“Those three guys are going to provide a lot of quality minutes and valuable leadership,” Hodges said. “We lost three big seniors last year in Jacobe (Johnson), Keegan (Bass), and Bryce (Sharp), so we’ll look to them to step into those roles while also playing a factor on the court.”
The Johnson twins, Jaden and Jaytee, along with Michael Vincent, are also back after earning minutes last year as freshmen.
Jaden played well in 22 games last year, averaging just over 11 minutes per. Jaytee played in just three games but has the same potential his older brothers have shown over the last five years. He is still nursing a collarbone injury from football.
Vincent started in place of Clipson during the first half of last season, scoring just over two points per game while gaining valuable experience on the block. Hodges points to his growth during the offseason as being a key factor for the 6-foot-5 forward.
Chance Rodgers (Sr.) is expected to be a go-to three-point threat for the Broncos in 2023-24. He shot 40-percent from beyond the arc as a junior and is set to take on a bigger role as a senior. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Lynden McElroy, Jeriah Fleeton, Adrian Calvillo, Tanner Sharon, and Colson Cantley make up the remainder of Mustang’s 2024 senior class.
“Colson and Jeriah are guys who haven’t played a lot and are program guys that could see some time this year,” Hodges said. “We have 11-12 guys that really can play a role and provide value in some way.
“All of our seniors put in the work in practice and make our team better. The hardest part is figuring out who should play and where.”
Freshman standout Tyson Pogi has already flashed his potential on the gridiron and is now set to show his skills on the hardwood.
Pogi helped lead the Bronco football team to a pair of wins this fall after taking over at quarterback late in the season. Now he transitions to point guard where, again, he is one of the state’s top young talents.
“Tyson is really skilled and plays with an extremely high basketball IQ,” Hodges said. “He’s a really good passer and shoots the ball really well, especially from three-point range. He contributed a lot in football, and we expect him to do the same for us.”
Hodges is especially impressed with Pogi’s poise at such a young age.
“He is really level-headed and very calm and composed in big moments,” Hodges said. “He’ll have a big year and will open a lot of things for other guys.”
The Broncos will be able to utilize different lineups this season according to Hodges. They have depth and size – two ingredients they missed for most of last year.
Tyson Pogi (Fr.) drives the lane during a scrimmage earlier this year. The talented freshman is one of the top guards in the state and is expected to play a major role for the Broncos this season. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
“It’s exciting because we can be pretty flexible with how we play,” Hodges said. “We’ll be able to go big a little more rather than playing primarily with four guards and one big. Guard play will still be the strength of our team, but when we do play bigger teams, we will be able to matchup much better.”
Hodges said his squad will have to shoot the ball well and take advantage of speed and athletic ability.
“We don’t have a ton of length, so we will have to make shots, which we’re capable of, and use our speed to get out in transition. Early on we will figure out our chemistry and go from there. We’re excited to see what we can do, especially over the first part of the season.”
For the first time ever, the Broncos will be playing district basketball.
Like most of the other Class 6A and 5A sports, basketball teams in those two classes are being grouped into districts. Mustang joins Capitol Hill, Deer Creek, Edmond North, Moore, Norman North, Piedmont, and Putnam City North in District 1.
Each team will be placed in the West or East Regional to start the postseason with a double elimination format. The regional winner and runner-up will move on to two Area Tournaments where four teams from each will qualify for the State Tournament.
There are also many rules changes across Oklahoma high school basketball.
1-and-1 free-throw attempts have been eliminated. In fact, the OSSAA has gone to a system much like the NBA with each team allowed four fouls per quarter while sending the opponent to the line for two free throws on the fifth and ensuing fouls.
But still no shot clock.
“It’s going to be different,” Hodges said. “Especially with end-of-game situations. It’s going to change strategy and it will be interesting to see how the officials adjust with it. Free throws are extremely important and can sometimes win or lose games, so we may see coaches change things up a bit.”
The Broncos opened the season on Tuesday at Capitol Hill with the team’s first-ever district win. They open the home slate against Putnam City North on Friday night at the Mustang Event Center.
“I just feel blessed to be coaching this team and to be a part of this community,” Hodges said. “We have a great group of kids with a lot of talent and potential.
“We’re excited to see how everything comes together and how they grow throughout the year.”
