By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State basketball enters the 2025-26 season with both programs balancing experience and transition. The men’s and women’s teams each return nearly half of their rosters while integrating several new faces as they aim to build on strong finishes from a year ago.
For Head Coach Talia Kahrs and the women’s team, the roster splits evenly between returners and newcomers — seven apiece. The Tigers are coming off a 28-5 season and another NCAA Tournament appearance, but will have to replace two All-MIAA standouts in Katie DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck.
“We have seven returners and seven new kids, so it has looked a little different than it has the last couple of years,” Kahrs said. “We’re learning a lot in practice right now and looking forward to starting full turn.”
Despite heavy roster turnover, Kahrs believes her group has channeled both last season’s success and its disappointments into fuel.
“We had a good year, but [were] disappointed in how it went,” she said. “We have returners who’ve seen some playing time and others stepping into bigger roles. It’s been fun to watch them take that opportunity and lead our six freshmen and a transfer who haven’t been around.”
FHSU enters the season as the preseason favorite in the MIAA Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the Media Poll. Returning All-MIAA honorees Talexa Weeter and Brooke Loewe headline the Tigers’ roster, which will be tested early. FHSU’s first eight regular-season games are on the road before its home opener on December 13.
“It’s good going into the MIAA because our conference ranks among the top nationally in attendance,” Kahrs said. “It’ll be good to get road tested early — and when we finally get home, we’ll be excited to play in front of our fans. Honestly, nobody wants to come to Hays and play, so we had to do what we had to do.”
For the men’s program, longtime coach Mark Johnson begins his 25th season at the helm after guiding the Tigers to the MIAA Tournament title and a second straight NCAA Tournament berth last year.
“We have 14 people — eight returners and six new players,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of starting a little bit slower than in the past, but it’s a good group, hardworking and wanting to get better. I feel really good about our front line, but the big question mark will be the backcourt.”
The Tigers were picked second in the MIAA media poll and fourth by the coaches. They return only one starter — Kyle Grill, who averaged 11.6 points per game last year — but expect key contributions from forward Dan Mukuna and several reserves now stepping into larger roles.
Johnson acknowledged the challenge of replacing program pillars Kaleb Hammeke and Traejon Davis, who led FHSU through its recent postseason success.
“We had those guys for a long time, and they set the tone for what we did,” Johnson said. “Now it’s about finding players who have that same toughness and competitiveness. Our returners that didn’t play as much will be focal points this year, and I think they’re ready for that.”
Both Tiger squads begin their seasons with exhibition contests at the University of Kansas before opening regular-season play in mid-November. Expectations remain high in Hays — and both programs believe the foundation is set for another memorable year.
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