2025 Bishop Manogue Miners Boys and Girls Basketball Previews

2025 Bishop Manogue Miners Boys Basketball Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

Head Coach: Luke Babbitt, 4^th Season as Head Coach at Bishop Manogue HS

2024 Record: 16-11 OVERALL, 12-4 League

Key Returners: Eli Benna, Jamahl Jackson, Connor Sheridan, Kade Snyder, Liam Sorenson, and Aaron Westphal

OVERVIEW: The Bishop Manogue Miners enter the 2025-26 season with rising expectations and a roster built for another deep postseason run. After a competitive campaign last year that saw them finish in the top third of the Northern 4A, and showcased the team’s growth and toughness, the Miners return a strong foundation and a clear path toward contending for league, regional and state championships. With an experienced core, improved depth, and a renewed emphasis on defensive identity, the program is poised to build on their recent success and position themselves among the top contenders in our area this winter.

Leading the charge is Head Coach Luke Babbitt, an eight-year NBA veteran whose pro-level experience has transformed the program’s culture and competitiveness. Since taking over, Coach Babbitt has already guided the Miners to a regional championship, instilling the team with a high-IQ approach, advanced skill development, and an elevated training standard. This year, he welcomes back a group that returns almost 70% of their scoring from last season, giving the coaching staff continuity, chemistry and proven production to build upon in pursuit of another championship-caliber run.

The excitement surrounding the Miners grows even more with the arrival of Kade Snyder, a superstar that returns to our area after averaging 20 points per game as a Sophomore at McQueen two season ago, and a player who is already signed to play at the Division-I level after his pledge to The University of Nevada Wolf Pack earlier this school year. His athleticism, big game experience and scoring ability add a dynamic new dimension to the roster, complimenting the returning veterans and forming one of the most potent offenses in the region. With established leaders, emerging underclassmen, and a coaching staff that knows how to maximize talent, the Miners appear primed for a breakout season and a legitimate push toward more additional postseason hardware and maybe, just maybe a ring or two along the way.

Without further ado, here are Coach Babbitt’s answers to our questions we asked him last month…

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Offensively?

Fast pace, floor spacing, [as well as] drive and kick.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Defensively?

Man to Man, Physical, Ball Pressure.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Style of Play?

You can expect Bishop Manogue to play hard, respect our opponents, respect the officials and play team basketball.

What Is The Key To Your Team’s Success This Season?

The key to our success this season will be our ability to adapt, persevere and rally together as a team. As with every season, there will be highs and lows and it will be how we respond to adversity that ultimately defines our year. If we are able to come together as a group, with individuals putting the team's needs first, we will accomplish our goals.

Who Do You Feel Are The Teams To Beat In The North?

Anyone can win the North this season, it should be very competitive but Spanish Springs, Damonte [Ranch] and Reno have a lot of returners from last year and are well coached.

What Is The Best Part About Coaching High School athletics?

The best part of coaching high school athletics is being able to be a part of a student athlete's growth on and off the court. It's gratifying to help play a role in a player's individual success as well as share and instill valuable lessons of teamwork, cooperation and leadership that are essential to being part of a winning team.

At Bishop Manogue I get to work with a very driven group of student athletes that make coaching them very rewarding.

2025 Bishop Manogue Girls Basketball Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

Head Coach: Jason Westphal, 2nd Season as Bishop Manogue HC

2024 Record: 14-13 OVERALL, 10-6 League

Key Returners (4): Josie Williamson, Charlotte Olsen (newcomer), Daily Morales, Sophie Nielsen, and Mia Hall

OVERVIEW: The Bishop Manogue Miners enter the 2025-26 season with confidence and elevated expectations under Head Coach Jason Westphal, who returns for his second season at the helm. Last year, the Lady Miners finished the season 14-13 overall and 10-6 in league despite relying heavily on underclassmen and first-year varsity players, demonstrating both resilience and potential. Their growth throughout the season allowed them to secure a home playoff game and a fourth-place finish in league play, and with that experience now in their foundation, the program looks poised to take significant steps forward in the coming months.

Offensively, the Miners aim to play with a high-tempo, attack-minded approach, emphasizing constant ball movement, pace, and pressure on opposing defenses. Coach Westphal wants his team pushing the floor, sharing the ball, and creating efficient scoring opportunities by keeping defenders on their heels. On the other end of the court, the message is loud and clear, Coach Westphal stated “The goal this season is to be the top defensive team in the state.” That identity will be driven by the team’s emphasis on disruptive pressure, physical intensity, and the program’s two foundational pillars: Hard work and Teamwork.

Fueling those ambitions are the four returning starters who anchor the roster, each bringing valuable experience, leadership, and versatility to the floor. Alongside them, the Miners welcome a talented newcomer expected to make an immediate impact and strengthen both ends of the floor. Together, this group forms a dynamic and competitive core capable of elevating the program’s standard once again. With improved maturity, enhanced chemistry, and a clear vision from the coaching staff, the Miners are ready to compete at a high level and challenge for a place among the North’s top teams this season.

Without further ado, here are Coach Westphal’s answers to our questions we asked him last month…

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Offensively?

High tempo offense, great ball movement constantly attacking defenses.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Defensively?

Look to improve upon our 14-13 record from last season.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Style of Play?

The goal this season is to be the top defensive team in Nevada.

What Is The Key To Your Team’s Success This Season?

Hard work and teamwork.

Who Do You Feel Are The Teams To Beat In The North?

Reno and Spanish Springs.

What Is The Best Part About Coaching High School athletics?

Having an opportunity to teach and inspire kids to work hard.