While the Platte County boys basketball team only graduated five seniors from last year’s team, they return just three players for the 2025-26 season.
The team’s most notable loss was the graduation of leading scorer Jaden Peterson, now playing at William Jewell College. After graduating two more guards and a pair of forwards, the Pirates knew they would need to develop some new varsity-caliber talent.
Then, three more multi-sport stars joined the crew in exiting the program as Jack Utz graduated at semester to join the University of Kansas football program with Braiden Stevens getting set for football at the University of Minnesota and Brennan McLaughlin preparing for collegiate baseball with Oral Roberts University. With just the trio of Jayden Martin, Jordan Moore and Elijah Hockaday returning, the team will look much different than it did last season.
“Our expectation is to see continual growth and improvement,” Platte County head coach Rick Hodge said. “We have a lot of guys new to the varsity level and it’s going to take time bringing them together to compete.”
The Pirates have introduced eight new players to the varsity squad for this season, led by the quartet of Jacoby Keith, Isaac Nelson, Brock Dye and Jude Brown. Still, the three returners — Martin, Moore and Hockaday — will lead the team.
“They will play a big part,” Hodge said. “Jayden Martin is our point guard and leader. Everything runs through his hands.”
Martin was fifth on the team in scoring last season, the only one of the three returners that got regular minutes a season ago. Moore and Hockaday will help the transition as the Pirates introduce so many players new to the varsity level.
“Jordan Moore is a player that has a lot of ability. We're still trying to channel that into being productive in our offense,” Hodge said. “Elijah has improved a lot in a lot of areas. He brings athleticism to our team that needs to be utilized by attacking the rim.”
While the squad has much turnover, there are still expectations for the team to compete each night despite any difficult challenges they may face.
“I believe they will be a more cohesive group that wants to listen, get better, and come together as a team,” Hodge said. “We believe these traits will help pull us through various parts of the season that are challenging for us.”
Platte County will experience tournament basketball at the Kearney Tournament in mid-January and the Grain Valley Tournament to conclude the month. They find the conference slate of games also critically important down the stretch.
“We have so many new guys to the varsity level that December could look ugly,” Hodge said. “We believe there are pieces in the locker room that can come together and be playing our best at the end.”