Resilience and Renewal: Paton-Churdan Boys Basketball Marks a New Era Under Coach Cerveny
The 2025 basketball season at Paton-Churdan marked more than just the turning of a calendar—it was the dawn of a new era. Under first-year head coach Josh Cerveny, the Rockets experienced both trials and triumphs, but more importantly, they laid the groundwork for a brighter future built on discipline, development, and determination.
Despite an 6–15 final record, the team achieved milestones that hadn't been seen in nearly a decade, including their first four-game winning streak in years and the most wins in a season in the last four years combined. The campaign was far from smooth, but the Rockets showed signs of a program on the rise.
Key Contributors Spark the Rockets' Rise
The heart of this season’s growth came from a strong core of underclassmen, headlined by sophomore standout Trevon Keely. Described by Coach Cerveny as the team’s leader and anchor, Keely led the Rockets in virtually every statistical category—points, assists, steals, field goal percentage, three-point percentage—and was second in rebounding. In addition to his offensive firepower, he took on the challenge of guarding the opposing team's best player every night.
“Trevon really stepped up and was a First Team All-Conference player,” said Cerveny. “He grew stronger even while facing double-teams all season long.”
Backing Keely was fellow sophomore Bryce Stephenson, who led the team in rebounding and was second in assists. A gritty, tough player, Stephenson emerged as a stabilizing force on both ends of the floor and earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors for his contributions.
Junior Phoenix Hartman added spark to the offense, finishing the season as the team’s second-leading scorer. His tenacity and energy, paired with improved shooting and defense, made him another Honorable Mention selection.
Junior Cayden Stream was having a breakout season—ranking third in scoring and just behind Hartman—before a season-ending injury derailed both his campaign and the team’s momentum. “Once he got hurt, our season changed,” Cerveny admitted. “We lost a lot of experience and tried to fill that void with freshmen.”
Freshman Daen Rice stepped up in that moment, starting several games in Stream’s absence. Though raw, his high potential and hunger for improvement bode well for the future. Another freshman, Patrik Wolterman, established himself as the team’s best rim protector. His offseason development will be crucial in solidifying the Rockets’ defense next year.
Sophomore Brody Meyer also saw increased minutes and made the most of them, hinting at a promising role in seasons to come.
Senior Kinnick Steimel, the lone upperclassman on the roster, was praised for his leadership by example. “He’s naturally quiet,” said Cerveny, “but he kept working and never quit. His growth in toughness and performance was critical in guiding the younger players.”
A Season of Learning and Progress
The Rockets opened their season competitively, reaching a balanced 5–5 record before struggling in the second half, finishing 1–10 after Stream's injury. But the record tells only part of the story.
“We had an up and down season,” Cerveny said. “But we won more games this year than the last four seasons combined. That’s progress.”
Several moments served as turning points, notably their early-season victory over West Harrison. “That first win was huge—it helped the players believe,” said Cerveny. The Christmas Classic victory over CAM further solidified their confidence and sparked a win streak that included games against Storm Lake and West Bend-Mallard.
Unfortunately, Stream’s injury shortly thereafter proved to be a major setback. The young squad had to adapt quickly, leaning on underclassmen who were still learning the pace and complexity of varsity basketball.
Responding to Adversity
How a team reacts in tough times says more than how they perform in moments of ease. For the Rockets, 2025 was about learning to respond.
“It was a work in progress,” Cerveny admitted, referring to the team’s handling of pressure and adversity. “But we got better as the season went on. I always asked them, ‘How do you respond? Do you quit or do you fight?’ And we definitely fought more than we quit.”
This mentality permeated the program and set the tone for what’s expected in future seasons.
Building for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Coach Cerveny is excited about the combination of youth and experience returning next year. With Keely, Stephenson, Hartman, and several promising freshmen leading the way, the core is strong.
“If they put in the work this offseason, we will improve a lot,” he said. “Last summer was about building expectations. This summer will be about sharpening our skills and gaining experience at camps.”
The team’s offseason priorities are clear: better shooting, stronger rebounding, limiting turnovers, and gaining situational game experience. Cerveny emphasizes strength training as well, hoping to make the Rockets a more physically dominant squad.
“We need to become a better shooting team and continue developing our basketball IQ in real-game situations.”
Setting the Standard
More than just wins, Coach Cerveny is focused on culture—something he knows takes time. “We’re trying to build a program, not just win a few games,” he explained.
That culture is one of accountability, effort, and heart—values demonstrated by players like Keely, Stephenson, and Hartman, and supported by leadership from seniors like Steimel.
As for where to track this growing program? Fans can follow stats and updates on the Bound Iowa – Paton-Churdan page, where team performance and individual milestones are updated regularly.
Conclusion
The 2025 season at Paton-Churdan wasn’t defined by a win-loss record—it was defined by progress, grit, and belief. Under the steady guidance of Coach Josh Cerveny, the Rockets are learning how to compete, how to persevere, and most importantly, how to build something lasting.
With a talented core returning and a program culture taking root, there’s every reason to believe the Rockets will soar even higher in the years to come.
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