Kee High Basketball 2025 Season Recap: Growth, Grit, and the Road Ahead
Coming off an exceptional 22-3 campaign that included conference and district championships, expectations were understandably sky-high for the Kee High Boys Basketball team heading into the 2025 winter season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Jeff Cota, the team looked to build on its recent success. However, as basketball often teaches, every season brings new challenges—and this year was no exception.
Though Kee High ultimately fell short of its lofty goals, the season was still filled with individual milestones, hard-fought games, and valuable growth for both returning veterans and promising underclassmen.
Key Contributors: Records and Reliability
Several standout players defined the 2025 campaign with record-setting performances and steady contributions.
Leading the way was senior Jordan Cota, a 6’5” forward whose versatility made him nearly unguardable. “He can score inside or out,” said Coach Cota. “He led the team in three-pointers made and scoring the last three seasons and set the school single-season scoring record this year.” Jordan also became just the second player in Kee High history to eclipse 1,400 career points, finishing with an impressive 1,499 and cementing his legacy as one of the program's all-time greats.
Running the offense was senior Dalton Mudderman, a 6’2” point guard and the school’s all-time leader in both single-season and career assists. His court vision and composure helped keep the team competitive throughout the year, and like Jordan, he joined the elite 1,000-point club, becoming the eighth player in school history to do so.
Anchoring the paint was 6’6” center Brayden Darling, who set Kee High records for blocked shots in both a single season and over a career. On defense, Karsen Strong earned high praise from Coach Cota as the team’s best post defender, consistently taking on the toughest assignments night in and night out.
The team also benefited from perimeter threats and depth off the bench. Sophomore Trey Cota emerged as a three-point specialist, hitting six threes in two separate games, while fellow sophomore Tanner Troendle, the team’s sixth man, played strong defense and knocked down key shots in big moments.
Season Reflections: A Tale of Two Outcomes
Despite the impressive individual contributions, the season didn’t quite match the success of the previous year. “Coming off a conference and district championship with a 22-3 record, expectations were high,” admitted Coach Cota. “The loss of two seniors from last year’s team proved to be bigger than we had hoped, and we fell short of our goals this season.”
Still, the year was not without its highlights. Jordan Cota and Dalton Mudderman joining the 1,000-point club was a monumental achievement, showcasing the remarkable offensive consistency of both seniors.
Defining Moments: Injuries and Close Calls
One of the season’s most pivotal games came right at the beginning—and it arguably set the tone for what followed. The team opened against Charles City and led by 10 points late in the first half when Brayden Darling injured his knee. The game quickly shifted. Foul trouble plagued the team, and Charles City sank two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to tie it up. Kee would eventually lose in overtime.
“That game tested our depth right away,” said Coach Cota. “Unfortunately, it kind of shaped the course of the season. When we won, we usually won big, but we struggled to win close games.”
Player Development: Young Talent Rising
As the season progressed, the silver lining came in the form of player development—especially among the underclassmen. Trey Cota and Tanner Troendle, both sophomores, stepped up as they became more comfortable with varsity-level intensity.
Tanner played well defensively and made some big shots for the team in important games. Trey was equally clutch from the perimeter, with multiple standout shooting performances that helped keep the team in contention.
Their performance, maturity, and ability to step into meaningful roles are a promising sign for what lies ahead.
Senior Class Legacy
Kee High will bid farewell to a remarkable senior class that has been contributing heavily since their sophomore year. “We’re losing a lot of talent, experience, and leadership,” said Coach Cota. From Jordan’s historic scoring to Dalton’s playmaking and Brayden’s interior dominance, this group helped raise the standard for Kee basketball.
They didn’t just put up stats—they brought energy, effort, and an example for younger players to follow.
Looking Forward: A New Chapter Begins
Though the end of this season marks the close of an era, there’s plenty of excitement brewing for the future of the Kee High program.
“I’m excited about the energy the returning guys play with,” Coach Cota shared. “Trey and Tanner got some good experience with this group of seniors.”
As they transition from support roles to leadership positions, the younger players will have a chance to forge their own legacy. With offseason work focusing on improving in late-game and defensive situations, the program is clearly looking to sharpen the areas that made the difference in close contests this year.
Where to Find More
For those interested in diving into the numbers behind the season, Kee High's basketball stats are available on Bound Iowa, where fans can see just how impactful this roster has been and track the development of returning players.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 season may not have brought back-to-back titles, but it did bring growth, hard-earned lessons, and a glimpse into a promising future. Under the steady hand of Coach Jeff Cota, Kee High Basketball remains a strong, disciplined, and proud program.
The departure of key seniors will undoubtedly leave a void—but with rising stars like Trey Cota and Tanner Troendle ready to take the next step, the Kee High faithful can rest assured: the program is in good hands.
As the team heads into the offseason, the mission is clear—build, improve, and return stronger. And if history is any indication, Kee High will be back in contention before long.
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