By Jayson Henderson
Levi Nordhus, head coach for the 7th grade boys’ basketball team at Clay Center, is focused on developing his players both on and off the court. With a group of young athletes who have been playing together for years, Nordhus aims to build on their foundational skills and prepare them for future success.
“These 7th grade boys, I know Coach Smith has worked with them since, probably, they could walk at a very young age,” Nordhus said.
“At the middle school level, the biggest thing is preparing them for high school.”
He emphasized two key priorities:
“Helping them become a better person, helping them grow into young men going up into high school, and then…developing a really good work ethic.”
Team Strengths and Players to Watch
Despite their smaller stature, the team boasts a high level of skill.
“Fundamentally, they might be the best group of 7th graders I’ve seen,” Nordhus remarked.
He highlighted Brady Frederick as a strong post player, despite being undersized, and praised Hunter Graham for his defensive skills and coachability.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a kid more coachable than Hunter Graham.”
While individual talent stands out, Nordhus emphasized the collective strength of the team.
“I could spend so much time talking about all of them,” he said.
“They all bring a lot of great things to the 7th grade team.”
Defensive Focus and Press Strategy
Given their lack of height, Nordhus plans to rely on defensive intensity.
“One of my goals…is to do a lot of pressing,” he explained.
“Where all my kids work hard, great on defense, I think that’s going to be very beneficial.”
He sees the press as a way to leverage their speed and work ethic against taller opponents in the league.
Building Teamwork and Confidence
Fostering teamwork is a priority for Nordhus, who believes in building strong relationships with his players.
“First, I want to establish that relationship with them, knowing who they are,” he said.
One of Nordhus’s favorite drills is a shooting competition designed to foster teamwork and add a fun, competitive element to practice.
“It’s like me versus them,” he explained.
The players work together to meet a specific shooting goal within a set time limit. If they succeed, Nordhus has to run. If they fall short, the players take the lap.
“They always get a little extra motivation to watch their coach run,” he added with a laugh.
The drill encourages players to collaborate while staying focused under pressure, helping to build both their skills and camaraderie.
Community Support
Nordhus expressed his gratitude for the community’s dedication to supporting its athletes. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a community support their sports, whether it’s cross country, football, basketball, at all levels, from middle school to high school, so well,” he said.
“That gives the kids a lot of extra motivation…I’m very grateful for the Clay Center community and how they support their athletes.”
With a team that has already built a strong bond through years of playing together and a supportive community behind them, Nordhus is confident the 7th grade boys will grow both as players and individuals this season.
