Stewart pumping energy back into Waldron boys basketball program

Jeb Stewart did not need to adjust his wardrobe after being named head coach of the Waldron High School boys basketball program in March.

A former varsity assistant with the Mohawks, Stewart has spent the last several years coaching in the elementary and junior high ranks at Waldron. Now, his focus is back on the varsity squad.

A 1994 Waldron graduate, Stewart was a standout player and remains the program’s all-time leading rebounder. Joining him on the coaching staff is another former Mohawk, 1992 alum Jared Lux, who is the program’s all-time leading scorer.

“Jared will be my head assistant,” Stewart said. “He is the only Division I athlete from Waldron in boys basketball. He played at IUPUI. He is totally bought in and works with the guards while I work with the bigs. John Shaw, who was the (interim) varsity head coach last year, is on board to be my assistant, too. I have a heck of a coaching staff.”

Stewart spent the offseason pumping energy back into a program that went through an unusual 2023-24 campaign.

First-year head coach David Corder, who resigned in January, was 4-6 with Waldron before Shaw took command. The Mohawks were 5-7 under Shaw, who is the father of senior wing Lucas Shaw.

Despite the ups and downs from last season, the Mohawks had a productive offseason, Stewart said, and are looking to carry that momentum into the fall and winter.

“People couldn’t have been more happy with how our summer went,” Stewart said. “The varsity beat Jac-Cen-Del and Alexandria (among others) and played a good schedule against (Class) 2A and 3A schools. It built a lot of momentum toward our season. I can’t wait to get started.”

Stewart was heavily involved with the elementary and junior high levels over the offseason as well, holding camps and open gym sessions. He said he has never seen so much talent in grades 4-6 at Waldron.

Stewart would know better than most. After spending seven seasons as a varsity assistant (2007-2014) with former head coach Jeff Gorrell, Stewart needed more freedom with his schedule due to the passing of his wife.

“I was then approached to coach the elementary by Isaac Larrison, who is (current senior) Will Larrison’s dad,” Stewart said. “I coached the current seniors in fifth and sixth grade. I coached fifth and sixth grade together during COVID and then moved up to junior high with my son.”

His son, freshman Eli Stewart, played competitive AAU basketball over the offseason and will add depth to a varsity rotation that features plenty of experience.

“I am super excited to be around Eli,” Stewart said. “It is a special thing to be able to coach your son. I am looking forward to seeing him grow.”

Lucas Shaw returns after leading the team in scoring last season at 14.8 points per game. His classmates, Will Larrison, Parker Douglas, Jack Fischer, Max Jones and Ray Wagner, will also be key contributors, according to Stewart.

“The seniors are a great group and are very coachable,” Stewart said. “They have a little bit of everything. It is a really neat group and you know they are going to show up every day and work hard. Knowing them and knowing their families from fifth and sixth grade has made it a little bit easier in a lot of ways. They know what I am expecting. I think they are pretty excited, too.”

Ethan Moody, a sophomore, is also expected to see varsity action, Stewart said.

Looking ahead to the fall, Stewart will hold workouts twice a week beginning in September. The workouts will center around offensive skill work, including creating space and learning the Euro step.

“But I am still big on the jump hook, you need guys at a small school who can do that,” Stewart said.

In October, the varsity boys will play a large role in Waldron’s youth league, which should help build togetherness throughout the entire program.

“We are going to try to have the high school boys do a draft and be around the younger kids,” Stewart said. “All through these camps over the summer I talked to the boys about coming back and supporting the varsity guys at games. We haven’t had the big cheer sections with little kids from the elementary in years. We are trying to build the community up (through basketball).”

In addition to a new head coach, the varsity team will have brand new lockers this upcoming season, which were donated by a private benefactor. The donation is another small step in the right direction for Stewart and the Mohawks.

All hands appear to be on deck as the team looks to improve its record from last season. Waldron finished 9-13 overall, falling to Jac-Cen-Del 55-44 in the first round of the Edinburgh Sectional. 

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