The Buffalo Island Central Mustangs experienced a rough 2024-2025 finishing 7-25. However, there is a lot of optimism for Coach Taylor Lane and the Mustang Nation with several returning starters and several young Stangs who had a very successful junior high run. All-State guard Leo Contreras is back to run the show for BIC. The senior floor general is a three year starter who can score on all three levels. Classmate Kell Gathright returns for his second year in the starting lineup. Gathright shoots the ball well, is a good defender, and has shown tremendous leadership. Junior Braxton Matheny also returns inside. Matheny started last season and brings a tough presence in the paint. Fellow junior Zander Jackson is back on the perimeter where he has shown an ability to get to the basket. Coach Lane said that his squad has two move-ins( Cord Kirby and Michael Walters) and a good sophomore class that will have an opportunity to play and contribute. Newcomers Kirby, Walters, Wicker Craig, and Rylan Hawkins will be in the running for some playing time among others. They could provide some depth and scoring the Stangs need. Lane also shared his team’ s keys to success.“ We have to define our roles and the team has to accept them,” he explained.“ It will be a slow start trying to scratch out a few wins while we are figuring things out. The defensive end will be a big key, along with rebounding. Sharing the basketball and taking good shots will be important for us to be productive.” The 2A-3 will be balanced and tough as always, and the Buffalo Island Central Mustangs should have an opportunity to compete with so much returning experience and new talented faces. Look for BIC to be in the mix and be a tough matchup down the stretch as they figure out roles for so many newcomers. If everything meshes well, the Mustangs could be a very tough out in the postseason and battle for a regional tournament berth.
Fresh off a 23 – 16 season, the Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs return with experience, toughness, and what head coach Trevor Matheny believes may be the deepest nine-player roster he’ s had since taking over the program. BIC expects to be competitive every single night, especially after a strong offseason focused on closing out tight games and improving help-side defense— two areas Matheny says could push this group to another level. The Lady Mustangs are powered by a senior-heavy, battletested core. Senior guard Jaylyn Cagle, a two-year starter, is a three-point threat who can beat defenders off the dribble and has averaged double-digit scoring her entire high school career. Fellow senior Josephine Hanneken anchors the interior, pulling down an incredible 12 rebounds a night and nearly averaging a double-double last season. A pair of juniors who emerged in big ways last year also return. Emma Kate McCord stepped firmly into a starting role late in the season, showing a natural ability to find the ball defensively and push the pace in the open floor. She’ ll be counted on to help replace the 10 – 14 rebounds per game lost with the graduation of Parker and Towels. Chandler Gathright, a dynamic junior guard, runs the point and averaged just over 14 points per game, becoming a near double-double threat down the stretch with her rebounding surge and versatile scoring ability. Junior Olivia Duffel is expected to round out the starting five, while the Lady Mustangs boast five vital role players who each bring unique strengths to the rotation— Scout Lyerly, Aubrey Clayton, Hadli O’ Guinn, and Haddie Wells. Matheny believes this group’ s shooting, defensive pressure, and energy off the bench will be crucial, especially given the small roster size. Junior transfer Sierra Watts( Manila) will join the rotation later once eligible. Coach Matheny knows the 2A path is long and demanding for smaller schools, and BIC continues to take on a tough schedule that doesn’ t always reflect how dangerous they are by postseason time. With improved late-game execution, stronger team defense, and a roster full of players capable of stepping up, the Lady Mustangs hope to be right where they want to be in March— still competing.