Gobles Basketball: Building Blocks and Breakthroughs in the 2025 Season
The 2025 winter season for the Gobles High School boys basketball team was one of visible progress, honest reflection, and a renewed determination to reach the next level. Under the leadership of Head Coach John Curtis, the program saw signs of real growth, led by a core of talented underclassmen and steady contributors. While there were setbacks along the way, the season provided a clear roadmap for what lies ahead.
In this special edition of our 2025 Winter Season Recap Series, Coach Curtis opened up about his team’s performance, standout players, key turning points, and his vision for what’s next for Gobles basketball.
The Leaders: Otis and Newberry Set the Standard
At the heart of Gobles’ success this season were two junior standouts—Jayden Otis and Aden Newberry. Both players earned First Team All-Conference honors, a testament to their consistency, skill, and ability to rise to the moment.
“These two were definitely our top players this year,” said Coach Curtis. “They produced on most nights.”
Otis and Newberry formed the foundation of Gobles' offensive and defensive schemes. Their presence gave the Tigers a competitive edge each time they took the floor, and their leadership—both vocal and by example—helped elevate the team’s performance.
Adding to this core was sophomore Carter Crippin, who Coach Curtis believes is on the cusp of a breakout. “He took some steps forward and will have a big junior year,” he said. Crippin’s development adds another layer to what is becoming a promising nucleus for Gobles moving forward.
A Step Forward, But More Work to Do
Gobles may not have ended the season with a championship banner or a long playoff run, but the campaign was undeniably a step in the right direction.
“We definitely took a step in the right direction,” Curtis acknowledged. “But we need to take another step against the better teams on our schedule.”
The sentiment is clear: Gobles is improving, but there’s still a gap between where they are and where they want to be, especially when it comes to competing with top-tier competition. This season offered a taste of what the team is capable of and where it needs to grow.
A Game That Stung—and Motivated
One loss stood out in Coach Curtis’s mind as a turning point: a narrow defeat at home to Galesburg-Augusta.
“That game was there for the taking and we didn’t finish,” he recalled. “I’m not sure if we ever recovered from that loss.”
It’s a game that left a mark on the team emotionally and mentally. For a group still learning how to close out tight contests, this moment was a hard but important lesson. It’s now a memory that Coach Curtis hopes fuels offseason growth and in-season focus next year.
“That needs to change this upcoming year,” he added—a challenge issued loud and clear to his returning players.
Depth Development and Emerging Talent
While Otis, Newberry, and Crippin carried much of the offensive and defensive load, Coach Curtis is excited about the emergence of two more key contributors who could round out a dangerous starting five.
Aiden Beam and Gibson Curtis are two underclassmen who gained valuable varsity experience this season. Coach Curtis sees their offseason work ethic as the key to unlocking their full potential.
“They both are skilled and have the Varsity experience under their belts,” he said. “We will need more scoring this upcoming year besides the big three.” Beam and Curtis could be the X-factors that help Gobles become a deeper and more balanced team in 2026.
What the Numbers Don’t Always Show
Though Coach Curtis did not elaborate on specific stats or win-loss totals, his responses made it clear that this season was about much more than just numbers. It was about building identity, toughness, and a competitive edge.
There’s one area in particular that Curtis emphasized needs improvement: “Toughness. Toughness. Toughness.”
Whether it’s finishing close games, battling through adversity, or holding their own against physically dominant teams, the Tigers are determined to become tougher—mentally and physically. That’s the offseason mantra.
“We need to be able to grind through pressure and keep our composure in key moments,” he noted in follow-up conversations.
Looking to the Future: A Foundation Worth Building On
While the loss to Galesburg may have highlighted the team’s vulnerabilities, it also underscored something equally important: the program has a strong, committed core of returning talent.
With Otis and Newberry coming back as seniors, and Crippin stepping into a more mature role, Gobles is in a great position to compete. Add in the development of Beam and Curtis, and you have a team that could turn heads.
Curtis is also enthusiastic about the hunger he sees in his players. “These guys know what’s at stake. They’ve tasted the sting of close losses. Now they’re ready to work.”
And while stats can be found on local outlets or request, Coach Curtis’s focus is not on numbers but culture. “Wins will come,” he said. “We need to win the little things first. The loose balls. The extra rotations. The effort plays. That’s what great programs are built on.”
Final Thoughts: From Lessons to Legacy
Every team has seasons that test them. For Gobles, 2025 may not have been a banner year, but it will likely be remembered as the one that sparked a transformation.
Under Coach Curtis’s leadership, the Tigers aren’t just planning to improve—they’re planning to compete at the highest level their conference has to offer. With returning firepower, developing depth, and a clear call for toughness and grit, the future of Gobles basketball is filled with potential.
If the players buy in during the offseason, take the lessons from heartbreak losses, and commit to pushing one another, 2026 could be the year they break through.
One thing’s for sure: Gobles won’t be backing down. They’re building, battling, and getting ready to roar.
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