HUMBOLDT — For the first time in 18 years, David Taylor will not be pacing the sidelines of the Humboldt Cubs.
The Humboldt Cubs are not rudderless, however.
Coach Kason Siemens has taken the reins of Humboldt’s storied program.
“I feel pretty good going into the year. We’re going to be pretty young, that’s for sure, heading into this year,” Siemens said.
Siemens is no stranger to Humboldt nor Coach Taylor. As a multiple sport athlete and member of the Humboldt High School Class of 2015, Siemens played under Taylor.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what these young kids can do and getting them some valuable minutes and some good experience,” Siemens said Wednesday. “I’m a Humboldt graduate. I know a bunch of these kids. I know their parents. It’s pretty interesting.”
Although in a rebuild with much of last year’s starting lineup graduating and only a handful of seniors, Siemens looks forward to the process.
He has a few assets in seniors Mason Sterling, who returns from a broken fibula in late December or early January, and recent Iola transfer Hayden Kelley.
Senior Lane Ellison said he chose to take up basketball for the first time since eighth grade after learning Siemens planned to coach the Cubs.
“I’ve known him since I was six,” Ellison said.
The next two weeks will be a crash course for the Humboldt Cubs as Siemens adjusts to his new role and many players reacclimate to the hardwood after months on the gridiron.
Siemens knows replacing Coach Taylor will not be easy, but feels he has the right talent to make it happen.
“I’ve been out West for the last six years,” Siemens said. “I’ve been wanting to come back. It’s a community that gave a lot to me and I want to give back to it. I have some pretty big shoes to fill.”
