The state tournament drought for the Adel-Desoto-Minburn Tigers varsity boys basketball team is up to seven years now, but the program’s longtime head coach is optimistic of his team’s chances to make the event next season. Substantial contributions from multiple sophomores and juniors helped ADM to a 13-10 overall record, a ten win improvement from last year. ADM held a two-point lead in their Class 3A Substate 7 semifinal against the Gilbert Tigers before ending their season with a 60-54 loss. The Raccoon Valley Radio Network sat down with ADM boys basketball coach Aaron Mager after the team’s end of season banquet Thursday night. He says the group of athletes he has returning has bigger goals for themselves. “I think they have higher goals than what we were (able to accomplish) this year; I know they want to get to state and do something there,” Mager said, “They don’t just want to get there, they want to, well, I want to win (a state championship). I want them to be the one that we win (the state championship) with and from there we’ll get greedy and go for more.”

The Tigers qualified for the 2008 and 2012 state basketball tournament under Mager’s tutelage, finishing in third place during the 2008 season. ADM projects to return point guard Nate Mueller, a unanimous first-team All-Raccoon River Conference selection and an Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Class 3A Substate 7 honoree as a sophomore. Junior Jaxson Milsap, an honorable mention All-Raccoon River Conference performer, also plans on returning next winter. ADM’s top rebounder, junior Nate Conrad, and top shot blocker, sophomore Dylan Anderson, are also expected back next winter for the Tigers varsity basketball squad.