Weaver ready to lead North Putnam boy's basketball team to greatness

When the North Putnam High School boy's basketball team hits the hardwood this summer to begin preparations for the upcoming season, they will do so with a new coach who sees nothing but "tremendous potential" with the Cougars. 

First year head coach Kenneth Weaver was recently hired as the new coach, replacing Vincent Brooks, who saw his contract not be renewed at the conclusion of last season. Weaver is no stranger to basketball, especially at a top level, as he was an assistant under state championship winning coaches at both Fishers and Ben Davis and also spent time at Mooresville, Decatur Central, Bishop Chatard and Franklin College. 

Weaver said what stood out to him about North Putnam was the people and the opportunity to build something "meaningful together."

"Throughout the process, I felt genuine support from the administration and community, and that mattered a lot to me. I wanted a place where relationships, culture and player development were valued just as much as wins and losses. I also believe North Putnam has tremendous potential. There's pride in the community, young athletes that want to work and an opportunity to create an environment that players, students and families can truly rally behind. That combination made it feel like the right fit for both my family and my coaching career," Weaver told The Putnam County Post. 

Weaver said his impressive resume helped prepare him for his first head coaching position. 

"Those experiences taught me the importance of organization, communication, player development and building relationships with kids every single day. Being part of successful programs also showed me what consistency looks like behind the scenes. From practice preparation and accountability to creating a positive culture that players enjoy being part of. I believe those experiences have prepared me for this opportunity because I've seen what successful programs value over the long term. Now it's about bringing that energy, structure and passion to North Putnam, while building something that fits this community and these players," he acknowledged. 

When the season rolls around in the fall, Weaver said it is his hope fans see a team that "plays hard, competes together and represents North Putnam the right way every single night."

"We want to build a program centered around toughness, discipline, energy and togetherness. I want our players to play with confidence, enjoy competing and take pride in wearing "North Putnam" across their chest. This summer will be extremely important because it is our foundation phase. It gives our coaching staff and players an opportunity to build relationships, establish expectations and grow together both on and off the court. More than anything, it's about creating habits and a culture that we can carry into the season and into the future of the program," Weaver said.