Monterey Wildcats Boys Basketball Head Coach Will Putnam said he is not setting lofty goals for his team this season. He wants to see every player at every practice.
Putnam enters his second season at the helm looking to build on last year’s 8-21 record. Putnam said wins and losses are not the main focus, but rather three key points: effort, attitude, and consistency.
“This is going to be a fun team to coach,” Putnam said. “This is a group of boys who really are connected and love each other and they really want to improve on a daily basis. That’s all you can ask for as a coach and I’m very fortunate to get to be their coach this season.”
After an off-season of workouts and conditioning, Putnam said he is eager to see that energy carry into the winter. Many Wildcats will return to the hardwood after competing in fall sports such as football and golf. Putnam said their enthusiasm for basketball season has not gone unnoticed.
“Every time I talk to them about the season, every time I talk to them about the prospect of playing in a new district with Cannon, Smith, and York, the excitement level is just through the roof,” Putnam said. “The boys are itching to get out there [and] go to practice.”
The Wildcats roster will feature two returning seniors this season alongside a young core that includes six sophomores and a growing group of freshmen. Putnam said fans will love the up-tempo, high-energy style he hopes to fuel this season.
“The way that we have decided would be best for our program moving forward and playing, trying to play fast, exciting, free, entertaining [basketball,]” Putnam said. “Giving these boys some freedom and some choice and be creative to how those guys play the game of basketball.”
Beyond the on-court product, Putnam said he wants the community to feel proud of what Monterey basketball represents.
The Wildcats will also introduce something new this year. They will host their first Thanksgiving tournament under Putnam’s tenure. The girls tournament will feature six teams, while the boys tournament will see ten teams in action.
