The Father McGivney boys basketball team capped a historic campaign with a 19‑14 record, the most wins the program has ever recorded. The victory sparked optimism among players, coaches and the local community, setting the stage for an ambitious push toward greater success.
Head coach Cory Clouser has turned the offseason into a laboratory of growth, organizing open gym sessions and a slate of games in the Civic Memorial Summer League in Bethalto. Rather than chasing summer scores, Clouser is focused on refining fundamentals such as switching on screens, running set offenses and easing younger athletes into the speed of varsity competition.
The roster will see the departure of three starters — Chase Jansen, Owen Kolesa and Carson Barone — who helped anchor the previous season. In their place, returning veterans like Henry Willenborg and Will Rakers are stepping up as early leaders, while newcomers such as Hayden Apotheker, Brendan Kayser, Shane Riegert, Tayven Yates and Matt Kamp look to make their mark.
Willenborg, the team’s leading returning scorer with 4.1 points per game and 23 three‑pointers last year, brings a quiet confidence to the floor. His willingness to mentor the younger cohort has already been evident in summer games, where he often initiates offensive sets and provides on‑court guidance.
The ultimate goal is clear: when the season opens in November, Father McGivney wants to be competitive against the elite programs in the region. By blending experienced leadership with the energy of fresh talent, the coaching staff believes the team can translate summer progress into a strong varsity performance.
Summer Sessions Shape the Future
With each drill and scrimmage, the team is not only building skill but also forging a culture of accountability and ambition that could define the next era of Father McGivney basketball.