The Otis-Bison High School boys’ basketball team have a knack for playing up to the postseason.
Last year, the Cougars made a late-season run that ended with the team taking third place at the Class 1A Division-II state tournament.
This year, Otis-Bison plays Tribune-Greeley County in the first round of the tournament on Wednesday night at Fort Hays State University at 8:15.
“I’d say about the last six games of the regular season, they really stepped up,” Otis-Bison head coach Alan Clark said. “It wasn’t a lack of intensity, but there wasn’t any excitement, no energy, but after the Claflin game.
“As a coach, you definitely try to keep your kids from burning out this time of the season.”
The Cougars start four seniors — Trevor Keller, Patrick Piper, Brandon Pechanec and Zach Stejskal.
“I think that all of the kids are very excited (to be playing in the state tournament again),” Clark said. “Beyond that, the seniors are ready for this. We’ve been talking to them about owning this season.
“Two years ago as sophomores, they played in the shadow of Kevin Wissman. Last year, they were kind of in the shadow of Michael Hlavaty and Dominic Trapp, so they need to own this year.”
Keller leads the Cougars with 11.3 points per game. He averages 3.7 rebounds per game.
“I wouldn’t say that there’s just one leader,” Clark said, “but Keller was their quarterback in football, so they look to him when they’re in a serious situation.
“(Dylan) Wissman is our point guard, so he’s obviously our leader on the court. He’s more of a silent leader though. He’s a hard worker. He puts a lot of effort into everything.”
Wissman, a junior point guard who hyperextended his knee during Saturday night’s sub-state championship game, averages 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
“He’s fine,” Clark said of Wissman. “We had his knee looked at, and he’s alright.”
Pechanec leads the team in rebounds with 6.5 per game. He averages 9.4 points.
“He has got more physical in (the paint) for us,” Clark said. “He’s been doing great things in there this year.”
Piper, who made the go-ahead basket with only a few seconds remaining to help beat Victoria 51-49 in the sub-state championship, averages 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Stejskal averages 6.2 points and 2.1 rebounds.