Many coaches embark on a new season clinging to a tried-and-true cliche: They hope for the best, yet they expect the worst.

Justin Bogart had no such dilemma as he prepared for his sixth season as the head boys basketball coach at Mill Valley High.

“Before the season, I probably had as much confidence in this team as I had with any team,” Bogart said. “The real reward is the kids made it happen.”

“It” would be Mill Valley’s first-ever trip to the Class 5A state tournament in Topeka, a feat that led to Bogart’s selection as the All-Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.

Coach of the year ¢ Justin Bogart ¢ Mill Valley

Once they arrived on the state stage, the Jaguars decided to stick around for a while, chalking up an opening-round victory over Winfield before losing twice on the weekend to finish in fourth place.

The final tally was a 22-3 record that included a perfect run through the Kaw Valley League. The lone regular-season loss came against Wellsville in the semifinals of the Baldwin Tournament in mid-January.

Now that he and his players have had a taste of the big dance, Bogart is eager to see how it will translate in the long term.

“One thing I know it will do is set expectations for future teams,” Bogart said. “I think the kids coming into our program will realize through tremendous effort as a team that you can do great things.

“I’m excited to see if we can get to the point that going to the state tournament is no longer the exception, but the rule.”