Simpson College’s men’s basketball team had its first exhibition game this past week against Graceland University.
There were notable performances from sophomore Cam Henderson and junior Jachin Mertes. Henderson had great shots throughout the game and scored the majority of the points for the Storm. Mertes led with rebounds and also made a three-point shot early in the game.
At halftime, the Storm led 37-35. Senior Marcus Haupert stepped up in the second half with two back-to-back buckets, which created momentum early on for the Storm. Other players, including sophomore Colton Rasmussen and first-year Mateo Dzolota, had great performances.
The team ended their huddle with a single word: “Family.” It’s a word which emphasizes their focus this season: building trust, chemistry and a culture which goes beyond the court.
Coach Kyle Jones said he is excited for the season and is ready to compete against other teams.
“The team has been working very hard this fall in the weight room and on the court,” he said.
Jones believed every person involved in the program is equally important. From managers to assistant coaches, he said they all hold an equal role in contributing to winning.
The Storm’s roster is weighed with freshmen this year, which puts team chemistry at the forefront. With a lot of first-years, the team is emphasizing chemistry this year and spending lots of time outside of the gym together to build togetherness. Jones said the team is focused on keeping high energy on the bench, high fives and thanking the passer.
Haupert is looking forward to stepping into a leadership role this year to guide the freshmen. He said he wants the team to play competitively and make it to the NCAA tournament, but his personal goal is equally important.
“I want to always give everything I’ve got for my teammates,” Haupert said.
The first-years, especially Dzolota, are also excited to jump into the season.
“I want to continue to improve on being a leader on and off the court, whether it is communicating more, keeping others accountable, or even just helping teammates with anything they need outside of basketball,” Dzolota said.
In his third year as manager, junior Andrew Princehouse reflected on the progress the team has made.
“The biggest difference this year is how much depth and energy the new players have brought,” he said. “They’ve fit in really well, and it’s pushed everyone to get better. Practices feel more competitive, and the chemistry is starting to click both on and off the court.”
Last year, the team ended the season 5-20; with new additions to the team, they are hoping to secure more wins at home. The team plays its first official games on Nov. 7 and 8 in Illinois. The Storm has its first official home game on Nov. 21, against Dominican University.
