The Butte High Bulldogs boys basketball team enters the 2025–26 season with one of its deepest and most competitive rosters in recent memory. Head Coach Matt Luedtke returns a senior-heavy squad mixed with athletic juniors, an energized sophomore class, and a talented group of incoming freshmen. With returning scoring leadership and internal competition at every position, the Bulldogs believe they are built to compete night in and night out in Class AA.
“This year I kept 9 seniors,” Luedtke said. “I believe all 9 players could help the team be successful. There is a lot of competition in practice with multiple players from multiple grades fighting for the 5 starting spots and trying to get into that top rotation.”
Senior Class Sets the Foundation
The senior group is the heartbeat of this year’s team, headlined by captains Cayde Stajcar, Mike Verlanic, and Hudson Luedtke.
Stajcar and Verlanic both returned to the program this season and have immediately brought maturity, toughness, and leadership.
Luedtke, the Bulldogs’ lone returning starter and Butte High’s all-time leading scorer, anchors the roster with experience and competitive fire.
But this senior class goes far beyond three names. Seniors Josh Liston, Rhett Arntson, Howie Pearston, Kaleb Celli, Ryan Hanson, and Kendel Noctor all bring size, athleticism, and varsity potential.
Matt Marsenich, a strong multi-sport sophomore, adds valuable depth and competitiveness to the upperclass core. Every senior is in the mix, pushing the rotation and raising the level of practice.
Juniors Fighting for Varsity Minutes
The junior class adds athleticism and versatility, led by Brady Walsh, Raeder Grey, and Koda Schleeman, who have emerged early as frontrunners for varsity roles.
They are joined by Kodye Kjersten, a 6’1” sophomore who brings strength, effort, and strong two-sport athleticism. His presence deepens the junior class and adds another reliable option in the backcourt or wing.
Sophomore Class Brings Depth Across All Positions
This year’s sophomore group is loaded with size and balance. The class includes:
- Jack Muhlestein
- David Honer
- Chase Powers
- Teagan Yelenich
- Hunter Lapier
- Joshua Palmer
- Samuel Navarro
- Troy Samson
- Easton Biers
- Kaeden Fisher
- Gavin Miranda
- Noah Powers
- Case Richardson
- Teague Sullivan
Among them, Brady Hanson stands out as one of the biggest offseason risers in Class AA. Hanson went from limited minutes last year to positioning himself as a potential major factor in Butte High’s success.
Freshmen Add Energy and Future Potential
The incoming class features height, length, and raw talent. The freshmen include:
- Miles Choquette
- Colbey Doyle
- Chase Nasheim
- Ryan Bache
- Beckham Kinsey
- Landon Day-Purcell
- Casen Peltomaa
- Teague Barsness
- Gavin Holm
- Braydin Nash
- Jaghar Laursen
- Cooper Carter
This group gives Butte a bright future and pushes older players daily during competition drills.
A Team Built for Toughness, Leadership, and High Expectations
Despite returning only one starter, Coach Luedtke believes this roster has everything it needs to win games immediately.
“Hudson is our only returning starter,” Luedtke said, “but having him on the floor surrounded by the other kids we have makes me feel like we have a chance to win any game we compete in.”
With captains leading, seniors pushing, juniors competing, sophomores rising, and freshmen developing, this year’s Bulldogs are deep, motivated, and unified by one identity: every player matters, and every spot must be earned.
“It should be a very fun season,” Luedtke said. “I am looking forward to getting rolling against Bozeman in our first game.”
