The high school basketball season has come to a close for the Haxtun Bulldogs and while the overall win column doesn't display what coaches and players had set out to accomplish, there is still reason to celebrate. Leadership, adversity and relationships are all a part of the game at this stage in high school sports and the Haxtun Bulldogs brought all of that to the court this season.

"The best part of the season was seeing the confidence grow in younger players. We put a lot of pressure on underclassmen and they stepped up," said Jayden Stieb, Haxtun Bulldogs Head Coach. "Each game they carried themselves with maturity and class. Our upperclassmen did a great job building their confidence and leading them throughout the season."

This year's team clinched wins over Fleming, Dayspring Christian Academy, Akron and Briggsdale while also playing competitive contests with Caliche, Prairie, Peetz and Sedgwick County ... sometimes coming up short by just single digits.

Twice over the past week the Bulldogs met up with one of the top ranking boys' basketball teams in all of 1A at the home of the Merino Rams. Despite losses in the final regular season game and again just four days later in the first round of District play, the Bulldogs are focusing on what went well this season and things the team can improve on moving forward.

"My biggest takeaway looking into next year is working on our offense. As coaches, we saw a few flaws in our game plans. We need to do a better job finding sets and systems that fit our personnel," Stieb said. "I'm very proud of the way this group handles adversity. A lot didn't go the way we wanted it to, but the guys showed up ready to work every day."

This year's team included three seniors, two of which were standout starters for the Bulldogs. Mason Bornhoft and Keegan Colglazier both wrapped up four years of court play for the Bulldogs while classmate Kailin Kelley joined the team in his final year of high school. Most of his season was cut short to repair a football injury before heading to the collegiate level.

"I'd say looking back I'll appreciate the relationships that we built as team. Each year you get to know each kid better and better. That's what makes it tough when they leave. Mason and Keegan have done a lot for our program and we'll miss having them in locker room going forward," said Stieb.