by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher)6/15/2018 8:54:28 PM
posted in: News | 3,645 views
He’s not returning home - or even that close - but Luke Broadbent’s next coaching stop will certainly feel that way.
Broadbent last Tuesday was approved as the next girls’ basketball coach at Leedey.
Carpenter succeeds Lance Carpenter, who has been coaching girls and boys for the last two years after his sister, Leah Beer, left for Hammon prior to the 2016-17 season.
Carpenter will remain the Bison boys’ coach.
Broadbent has been a head coach for four years, including last year at Pawhuska. He led the girls team to an 18-10 record and a spot in the 2A regional consolation finals.
Prior to that, Broadbent coached the Hobart boys for two years and Midway boys for one season.
“I’m really, really excited about this opportunity,” Broadbent said. “This was just a good all-around fit for me.”
Broadbent is a Cashion native, but his father, Lane, graduated from Leedey. The younger Broadbent’s grandparents still live in the small western Oklahoma town.
“If nothing else, getting to spend more time with them is a benefit,” Broadbent said.
But there is something else.
Leedey has a solid tradition that’s seen it reach state 19 times, including the last four years, though the Lady Bison lost in the quarterfinals in each of those trips.
The team graduated four seniors from the most recent qualifier.
“We’re going to have a really young team, but it’s still really talented,” Broadbent said. “I think we’ll play a tough enough schedule that, even though we may take a few losses, we’ll be ready for the playoffs.
“I really think this is a team that can make it back to the state tournament; and it’s going to be building that foundation with a young core.”
Hence Broabent’s excitement.
“It’s got a lot of tradition, a good team and I’ve got family there,” Broabent said. “It was really the whole package for me.”