In his third year at Blue Valley West, Ryan Hintz feels the Jaguars are ready to take that big leap that coaches look for in year three.

And BV West should. After an 8-13 campaign, the Jaguars return 87% of their scoring from the 2018-19 season in which the Jags went 4-5 in the Eastern Kansas League. 

"As a program, we’ve been building towards this season since I took over," stated Hintz. "We hope to make some noise in 2020. Our team will hang our hat on fantastic team defense, high skill level, and basketball IQ. We hope to play inside out on offense while living our winning culture by having fun and getting better every single day."

One of those players with a high basketball IQ will be senior guard Spencer Bain (6-foot-2). Bain averaged 12.3 ppg and 2.5 assists with a steal per contest. Bain, who played with MoKan in the summer, won the heralded three-point Hardwood Classic that Trae Young and other notables won in past years.

"He's a shifty Steve Nash type with great vision and an even better shot," touted Hintz.

Down low, senior O'mar Stanley (6-foot-8) continues to improve after posting a double-double average with 10.3 ppg and 10.1 rebounds while blocking 1.2 shots a game and a 55% field-goal percentage. 

"He's an ever-improving skilled big man," Hintz said. "He's the leader of our defense, and impacts the game on both ends. O'mar broke the single-season record for rebounds in a game and rebounds per game."

Also teaming with Stanley is 6-foot-7 senior Nick Swarts, who had a tremendous showing at the 810 Varsity Titan Classic which BV West dominated in June.

"Nick had a limited role as a junior, but has worked hard this offseason to have an impact as a senior," Hintz said. "He can hit the three, run the floor, and rebound. He pairs nicely with Stanley inside and out."

Joining Bain in the backcourt will be senior Greg Riddle (5-foot-10) who served as quarterback for the Jags on the gridiron. Riddle netter 9.1 ppg and 37% from behind the arc as a junior. Brother Scott Riddle averaged 6.7 ppg and 35% from three. Fellow seniors Jabari Brickhouse (5-foot-11) and David Brown (6-foot) bring athleticism on the defensive end.

BV West ramped up its schedule, including battles against two teams in the top 15 of the preseason 810 Varsity Top 25 - Staley and William Chrisman - in 810 Varsity events. Plus the rugged EKL schedule of BV Northwest, Bishop Miege, St. Thomas Aquinas and others will help the Jags by the postseason.

"We improved our toughness and consistency in year two," Hintz reflected. "We competed with every team on our schedule and took a lot of good teams to the buzzer. However, we did not beat any of the top teams on our schedule. In year three, we hope to change that. We return a senior class that has experience and talent."