Clarion-Goldfield-Dows boys basketball Head Coach Jason Berning will be looking to turn experience into wins as the 2026 season begins. Last season the squad finished with an 8-15 record with eight games being decided by less than ten points. Coach Berning says the lessons learned from those close games could pay dividends this season.
“We’re going to be upperclassmen dominated now and having a good returning group of upperclassmen I think is so important,” says Berning. “So, that is definitely a positive and just the experience we gained from a year ago and we played in so many close games a year ago and so we’re hoping to use that experience gained and try to get some of those flipped in our way this year.”
After graduating six seniors, the Cowboys return a strong core of experienced players who made key contributions a season ago. Junior Chaz Lane is back after leading the team in both points and rebounds. Senior Johnny Lomeli, who finished second in scoring, also returns. Junior Huxley Lingenfelter is back after ranking second in rebounds, while junior JD Morrical returns to lead the offense after topping the team in assists.
As the Cowboys get ready for another challenging conference slate, Berning says the focus will be on effort and consistency.
“We just want to go out and play as hard as we can,” says Berning. “Play our style of basketball every night and be up for every challenge. And I feel like if we can do that night in and night out, good things are really going to happen for us this year. But we just need to take care of ourselves and stay positive, stay together, and just see where it brings us.”
The Cowboys open up the season on the road against Eagle Grove on Dec. 1.
Full interview with Head Coach Jason Berning;
