Work, confidence to boost Advance hoops into the future

The Advance High School varsity boy’s basketball squad recently closed its 2023-24 season, which was an enduring one, with a 79-47 loss to Puxico in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 Tournament championship game, however, how the Hornets closed this season is what has the fans of the orange and black focused on.

“I have tried to make them believe (in themselves) and have confidence,” first-year Hornet coach Dalton Wilson said late in this season. “Because that confidence, you’ve got to have.”

Advance struggled to just six victories this season, but four of those came in the final seven games, as they made an epic run to the District title game. In addition to the late victories, the Hornets had six defeats by single digits earlier in the season, when Wilson’s team was showing a lack of confidence.

That wasn’t the case late, though.

“These boys have never given up,” Wilson said of his group’s early struggles. “They are starting to really believe in themselves. It is fantastic to see these guys really get that confidence. I love to see them grow as individuals on the court.”

In its postseason, Advance beat host Bloomfield (11 wins this year), followed by a semifinal win over Meadow Heights (12 wins).

“Advance is very resilient,” second-year Panther coach Mitch Nanney said. “They don’t give in, and nothing seems to bother them.”

Certainly, losing six seniors will hurt the Hornets, somewhat. However, Wilson has 21 players returning to his program next winter.

“We just have to have kids getting in the gym and working and believing in themselves,” Wilson said of building for the future. “Honestly, it’s a lot of work. These kids have to understand that you have to get better in the off-season. It doesn’t happen in season all of the time.

“That is a big thing.”