FORT MADISON - John Hellige considered stepping down as Holy Trinity’s boys basketball coach in the offseason.
His players helped convince him to stay.
Hellige’s son Luke, a first-team all-state selection last season with the Crusaders, is playing at Cornell College this season, and Hellige thought about resigning so he could attend as many of Luke’s games as possible.
His seniors, led by captains Layne Rung and Nathan Box, helped Hellige change his mind.
“That group of seniors approached me and asked that I consider coming back,” Hellige said. “And I mean, any time you're given that situation where you know the kids want you to come back, it's a good feeling. So I came back for them, and I think they know that I'm giving up some personal sacrifices, missing a few of Luke's games, and they're working hard to make me missing those games seem worth it.”
The Crusaders have had back-to-back 19-win seasons, including the 2023-24 team that got to within one game of making the Class 1A state tournament.
“The precedent has been set,” Hellige said. “The expectations are there. And I think these guys are all about not letting the program fall back to single-digit wins and things like that. So they're geared up to win. They're full of confidence and have high goals that we can keep this thing rolling.”
Losing Luke Hellige, Adam Sobczak, who led the state in assists last season,and Kobe Jones, who averaged 11 points per game, is going to hurt, but John Hellige knows there is still plenty of talent remaining.
It starts with Rung, who is in his fourth season as a starter and is closing in on 1,000 points for his career. Rung averaged 12.2 points and was second on the Crusaders with 120 field goals, including 42 3-pointers.
“He's a lot stronger,” Hellige said. “He's hit the weight room really hard, and he's really taken it upon himself here since last season to be our team captain, team leader, and he's really doing all the right things to help himself, and help the team be in a good situation here.”
Box averaged 4.3 points last season, but was fourth on the team in rebounding at 4.9 per game.
“He got some experience his freshman and sophomore years, and then played big minutes last year,” Hellige said. “And he brings just toughness, strength, and just the kind of intangibles that don't show up in the box score. He’s a great leader for the team as well.”
Corbin Van Niewaal, a 6-5 senior center, will see a bigger role this season. He made six starts last season, averaging 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.
“He can shoot it a little bit from outside,” Hellige said. “He had two 3-pointers against Keokuk in our scrimmage. And I think he's just kind of figuring out how good he could be. He's looked great at times. I think he'll definitely make some impact here this year with his size and the way he can stretch the court.”
Two younger players — freshman Jack Ragar and sophomore Jay Ellison — will play significant roles with the Crusaders.
Hellige said Ragar has been “incredible,” getting some early lessons during the Crusaders’ scrimmage against Keokuk.
“They were just hounding the crap out of him in the first half, kind of like a, ‘Welcome to varsity basketball,’” Hellige said. “He learned from that, and I think he had 17 (points) in the second half against a good (Class) 3A school, so yeah, I’m not worried about him at all.”
Ellison played in 18 games last season.
“He got a little time last season,” Hellige said. “He’s super vocal, and plays super hard.”
Junior Tanner Williams, sophomore Chase Menke, and freshmen Evan Pauly and Brayden Williams provide depth. Graham Meredith, a transfer from Fort Madison, will be eligible after the Christmas break.
“All of these guys are gym rats,” Hellige said. “But they’re also film rats, too. Some of those guys study more film than I do, and that’s good to see.”
In a balanced South Division in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference, Hellige thinks his team can be where it's been the last two seasons, at or near the top.
“You feel like this is a winning program,” Hellige said. “We’re not thinking about how we can scratch and claw out wins. It’s a matter of, ‘How are we going to scout these guys and how are we going to beat them.’ That’s a good mentality to have.”
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