After being ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A a good part of last season, things ended in a disappointing manner in regionals for the Broken Bow Savages. So senior Keylan Wright is a returning player who wants to make amends this season.

“I spent a lot of time in the gym and at camps and showcases working on my shooting this past summer,” said Wright who plays small forward. “I think that will be one of my strengths this year along with the ability to find open teammates with my passing.”

His coach, Ryan Woolsey, feels like the extra effort Wright put in will pay dividends this year.

“Keylan is a very gifted and talented player. He can score the ball well from inside and outside. Last year he was more of a role player and averaged around 13 points a game. But this year he’ll be a starter and I think he can average 20 points a game.”

With the move into a starting role also comes the responsibility of being a leader for Wright who had some reflections on the job.

“A good leader knows what to all the time no matter what the game situation is and understands the game. You’ve got to help bring along the younger players and help them know the plays. You also have to help build their confidence because I remember when I was a freshman, I was really nervous to do anything, and it was guys like Josh Jones that helped me gain my confidence. I liked the way he scored the ball and I’ve tried to put some of what he did into my game,” said Wright.

Woolsey is optimistic that the Savages can take things further when it counts later this winter.

“We’ve got a good nucleus of players back with the exception of a point guard. I think 4A is the toughest class in basketball, but I think we’ll be right in the thick of it come playoff time.”

Keyland Wright says he would like to average a double-double this year with over 20 points a game and he hopes to play college basketball somewhere next year.