By Elijah Alvarado, Staff writer
Saint Leo men’s basketball, under second-year head coach Spencer Henke, is poised for a significant transformation as they kick off their season at home on Nov. 14. After a challenging year marked by youth and injuries, Henke and his staff have aggressively revamped the roster, bringing in experienced transfers with the aim of competing at the highest level in the demanding Sunshine State Conference.
Lions had many bright moments that showed promising signs. The lions went into the season playing some well-known teams which started in the preseason such as Florida State, Florida Atlantic University and University of Miami. These high-profile matchups boosted the university’s brand recognition.
“We really got to grow our brand. It really got Saint Leo out there,” said Henke.
The Lions encountered a series of challenging conference matchups, and while their record might not show it, they consistently battled. They found themselves in a series of nail-biting conference matchups where the games were won by one or two possessions. For instance, Saint Leo narrowly lost to division rival University of Tampa by a final score 90-87 and lost to Palm Beach Atlantic by a single possession with a final score of, 78-76.
“It really shows we are getting there,” said Henke. “We are nowhere we want to be by any means, but we are getting close. We are competing with high-level teams which builds the excitement.”
While the Lions had some highlight moments, Henke says they had some challenges that they will need to overcome to have a better outcome this season.
Henke emphasized the intense competition in the Sunshine conference, which he described as the nation’s leading league, especially for men’s basketball.
“First and foremost, we play in the best league in the country.” “The Sunshine State Conference across all athletics is unbelievable, more specifically men’s basketball,” said Henke, emphasizing the fight the team faces.
He encourages people to attend the games; confident they’ll be impressed by the high level of play.
“I tell any new person I meet to come watch a game just because you are going to be amazed by the level every night,” said Henke.
Henke attributed some of last season’s struggles to both inexperience and injuries.
“We were really young, starting three freshmen,” said Henke. “And one of our keys tore his ACL and that changed our dynamic a little bit”.
Beyond those external factors, Henke openly took responsibility for last season’s struggles.
“I will openly be the first one to take the blame for things that could’ve gone better,” said Henke.
Putting the 2024-2025 behind and looking at what’s ahead, they look at growth and where growth is needed. Last year’s roster featured three freshmen which Henke continues to talk about, highlighting two that remain on the team.
“If you look at specific guys like, Camden Cerese and Jaylan McElroy started as freshmen who are no longer freshmen, they are fully college basketball players. They had a chance to grow,” said coach Henke, showing excitement for what returning players will bring into the season.
As the Lions prepare for the season ahead, Henke and his coaching staff have been working hard building up their roster.
“We’re revamping our roster with older more experienced guys. You win when your older in college basketball,” said Henke.
Between graduation and the transfer portal, the basketball team lost a total of 11 guys this year, so he is looking for the portal to help add older players to the roster.
“If you look at the transfers we’ve signed, these are guys that are either in their final year or have played two years and played significant roles at their previous schools,” said Henke.“The biggest takeaway I got from a challenge perspective is we needed to get older.”
After having only four returners, Lions have added seven new faces to the roster that will bring experience to the roster.
“I’m excited to see how it all comes together. Lots of new faces with a ton of experience that could’ve helped in those close game moments,” said Henke.
Lions continue to go after the transfer portal and Henke does not take all the credit.
“We have been after the transfer portal nonstop, and I give a lot of credit to my assistant coaches, Coaches, Waln, Hedmen, and Ricketts for the work they have done,”said Henke. “There is still work to be done.”
Henke remains optimistic about the new additions to the roster.
“They are all guys buying into what we want our team to be. They all meet the standards of this team and what it takes to be a Saint Leo Lion,” said Henke. “I want guys that are fearless, driven, empowered, relentless, and selfless,”
With the season opener on the horizon, Henke remains keenly focused on the future.
“Get ready — it’s going to be exciting!” he said with a smile, emphasizing just how much the team values its supporters. “Their support is unbelievable, especially last year during some of the losing streaks,”
Henke added. “We play for you.”
