by Michael Cignoli (for OzarksSportsZone.com)

For the fifth time in nine seasons, the Springfield Catholic boys basketball team will open the season with a new head coach.

But he's no rookie.

Carlito Labarda Jr. brings a wealth of experience to the program, having begun his career more than 30 years ago at Purdue University – where was a student manager and later a student assistant under Hall-of-Fame coach Gene Keady.

Since then, he's coached at nearly every level — high school, JUCO, NAIA and NCAA Division I — and said it was "a privilege and golden opportunity" to lead the Fightin' Irish.

"The support base is amazing," Labarda said. "The administration, teachers, coaches, students and parents have all been welcoming. They provide you with all the resources needed to be successful – not only as a coach, but for the students as well. They truly care about the kids here."

While the California native is new to Springfield, he has a personal connection to the area.

He coached current Missouri State basketball assistant coach Dr. Carson Cunningham during the latter's first year at Purdue, then served on Cunningham's staff at both Incarnate Word University and Carroll College.

Labarda sees the move as an opportunity to put his stamp on the team from the start.

"As a new coach, I'm considered an outsider – which is challenging – but I consider it more of a positive," Labarda said. "Every player has a clean slate with me. They will earn their minutes by showing up to practice early, playing hard, being coachable and being a great teammate and person on and off the court. Talent always rises to the top, so that's the least of my worries."

Labarda said much of his coaching philosophy comes from Keady, who led the Boilermakers to the NCAA Tournament 17 times during his 25-year run at Purdue, and Bruce Weber, a longtime Purdue assistant who went on to coach Illinois and Kansas State.

"I think every coach wants to bring a positive and winning culture to any program." Labarda said. "This is no different. I would like to add a little discipline and toughness to the program. I want these kids to be proud of the basketball program they are in."

Labarda will look to his most experienced players to turn that vision into a reality.

"We will rely heavily on our seniors to lead the way," Labarda said. "Ryder Rowden, Miles Elliott and Case Cunningham will be pivotal in our success or lack of it this season."

Each member of the trio earned postseason honors last fall after finishing 1-2-3 in scoring on the Fightin' Irish team that went 17-10.

Rowden (18.2 ppg), Elliott (12) and Cunningham (13) were named to the all-conference team, while Rowden and Elliott were also all-district honorees.

Labarda also said big man Gage Wells will be an impact player.

"We also have (players) like Jack Morrison, O'Sean Pierce and Ralph Duda who all have a chance to be a starter," Labarda said. "I actually don't put much emphasis on who starts, rather it's more important on who finishes in a tight ball game."

In addition to a challenging Mid-Lakes Conference schedule, Springfield Catholic's path to the playoffs includes stops at the Willard Basketball Classic, Seymour Bank Winter Classic and the Blue & Gold Tournament.

"We are going to treat every game like a Super Bowl and take no team for granted," Labarda said. "There are a lot of talented teams in this area and the state."

The Labarda Era officially begins November 25, when the Fightin' Irish host Sparta.

"Our goals are to play hard and your best," Labarda said. "If they focus, play hard and unselfish, this team can do damage in this league. If they don't, they won't. We have enough talent to challenge for (the) league. However, we have a long way to go. It all depends on if our players buy into what I'm selling. If they do, they will be a difficult matchup."