BEATRICE – Head Coach Joel Wooton speaks very highly of his most recent recruit for the Storm Men’s Basketball team, who he says “plays with a lot of energy.”
The “he” Coach Wooton is referring to is six foot- five forward Josh Stroud of Louisville, Ky.
A 2011 Fairdale High School graduate, Stroud was ranked among the top twenty high school players in Kentucky going into his senior year.
“Josh is a young man blessed with a lot of talent,” Wooton said.
Stroud recently signed a letter of intent to play for Wooton and the Storm in their upcoming season.
“We feel that Josh has barely touched his potential, and when that happens, he will have a chance to make a big statement on the national scene,” Wooton predicted.
Stroud will join the Storm’s three transfer students, only one of whom has played in a regular season, and two returning players.
Wooton says his team is full of talented players who are working hard to find and understand their roles on the basketball court.
The team is currently working to develop a positive chemistry for their season.
Wooton added, “We have a lot better chance at the National Championship because of our chemistry and adaptability.”
The team began scrimmages with their first weekend played in northern Iowa. The Storm took on Kirkwood, who they lost to in OT, and won against Ellsworth and Quakersdale Prep.
The second weekend took place in Warrensburg, Mo., where the Storm beat Iowa Western and Missiouri West Plains. The Storm lost to Neosho, however.
Coach Wooton says his players played tough teams with great improvements from week one to week two.
“I like our teams work ethic and team attitude,” he noted.
The Storm finished their previous season 20-11 and lost to Bismarck State College at the District Championship.