As the Houston High School boys basketball team plays out the 2025-2026 season schedule, depth will be a constant point of interest.
That’s because there are only 10 players in the entire program.
The Tigers will again be led by head coach Dan Narancich, who is in his second year in the position. He knows working with such a scant roster isn’t the ideal situation.
“Not at all,” Narancich said, “but it is what it is. These boys are tough, and they’re ready.”
Last season, the Tigers finished with an overall record of 6-20 and went 1-6 in South Central Association conference play. The current version of the squad will rely on contributions from both experienced upperclassmen and freshmen.
“Truthfully, the freshmen are going to make the difference,” Narancich said. “They don’t get to play JV – they get to go right into the big boy league, so they have to step up this year.”
Riley eyes 1,000 career points
The Tigers will be led by senior guard DJ Riley, a four-year starter. Riley is a bit more than 300 points from reaching the 1,000 mark for his career.
“DJ means everything to this team,” Narancich said. “He’s a leader offensively and defensively for us, and he’s our driving force. If he’s struggling, we’re probably going to have a rough night.”
Other key players include senior guard Caden “Gurr” Guerra and senior center Gavyn Daily. Narancich will also look for significant contributions from junior Dillon Shelton and freshmen Karson McCain, Blake Sanders and Griffin Aaron. Other players in the fold include junior Hudson Volk, sophomore Gavin Derrick and freshman Bentley Clinton.
“I think Karson will step into a big role for us scoring-wise and defensively,” Narancich said. “He sees the floor really well and can create. And Gurr has really been a leader on the floor, teaching the young guys over the summer about where they need to go defensively. And he shot really well during the summer, and I’m hoping that carries over.
“And then there’s Griff, who will replace DJ next year as our point guard. He’s really fast and can do a lot of good things, and if he makes a mistake, he doesn’t get his head down.
“Then you’ve got Blake, who will be a big factor on the inside for us.”
The team’s identity
Narancich identified one thing that could be key in his squad’s effort to win games this season.
“Communication on the defensive end,” he said. “That’s the one big thing I told the kids we were going to work on over the summer. We also have to work on that offensively, but I think if we can communicate with each other and know what’s going on defensively, it will help us win games we’re supposed to win and will really determine our success for the year.”
The Tigers displayed some positive potential during games at a summer camp at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
“They did great down there,” Narancich said, “so I hope they bring that back to us this season.”
Narancich said the Tigers will play with an up-tempo style like last season.
“Nothing will change,” he said. “We will continue to run the ball, push the ball and full-court press the entire time. The boys like that style; they like that ability to create on their own. We do have some set plays, but I want them to have that freedom to create and play basketball.”
What’s ahead?
With so few players, Houston will not play junior varsity games, with one exception: Narancich said a JV squad that includes Shelton, Volk and the five underclassmen will compete in the annual Norwood JV Tournament in mid-December. Houston’s varsity games are expected to tip off at 6 p.m.
The Tigers play at a preseason jamboree at Mountain Grove Tuesday, also including Eminence and Plato.
Houston begins the regular season with a home game Tuesday, Nov. 25, against Clever. Narancich figures his starting lineup in the contest will include Riley, Guerra, Daily, McCain and Shelton.
The last time the HHS boys won a conference championship was in 1989 and the last time the squad won a district title was in 1984.
“I hope the fans come out and continue to support us,” Narancich said. “We had some big crowds last year, and I’m hoping we can grow on that. The crowd’s energy increases the boys’ energy level and can give us an advantage; it can even lead to scoring extra points because we get a good stop or the other team gets frustrated and makes mistakes and we’re able to capitalize on that.”
2025-2026 HHS BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER
No., name, height
SENIORS
- 3. DJ Riley, 5-11
- 21. Caden Guerra, 5-11
- 25. Gavyn Daily, 6-5
JUNIORS
- 11. Dillon Shelton, 5-11
- 31. Hudson Volk, 6-0
SOPHOMORES
- 15. Gavin Derrick, 5-10
FRESHMEN
- 1. Bentley Clinton, 5-7
- 2. Karson McCain, 6-2
- 10. Griffin Aaron, 5-11
- 50. Blake Sanders, 6-3
Head coach: Dan Narancich
Assistant coach: Rodney Preheim
2025-2026 HHS BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
- Nov. 18: Mountain Grove jamboree, TBA
- Nov. 25: Clever, 5 p.m. (V, JV, Fr.)
- Dec. 1: Koshkonong, 6 p.m. (V)
- Dec. 2: Eminence, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Dec. 9: Seymour, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Dec. 12: Winona, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Dec. 15-20: Norwood JV Tournament, TBA
- Dec. 19: Plato, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Dec. 26-30: Cabool Holiday Tournament, TBA (V)
- Jan. 2: Licking, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Jan. 6: Newburg, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Jan. 9: Summersville, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Jan. 13: Norwood, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Jan. 16: Willow Springs, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Jan. 19-24: Houston Tournament, TBA (V)
- Jan. 26-31: Licking JV Tournament, TBA
- Jan. 27: Laquey, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Jan. 30: Bourbon, 5:30 p.m. (V, JV)
- Feb. 3: Salem, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Feb. 6: Mountain Grove, TBA (V, JV)
- Feb. 10: Thayer, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Feb. 13: Liberty, TBA (V, JV)
- Feb. 14: Bunker Shootout, TBA (V)
- Feb. 17: Cabool, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Feb. 19: Dora, 6 p.m. (V, JV)
- Feb. 20: Ava, 5 p.m. (V, JV, Fr.)
*Home games in bold