Excelsior Springs varsity boys basketball coach Ian Burch and his Tigers have reasons for optimism this season.“We are looking to improve on what we began building with the culture of our program last year,” Burch said.The key reason for that optimism is the return of players who saw significant minutes last season, when the Tigers went 2-22. They include seniors Easton Ryan, Carson Gholson and Jake Zapata.Burch will expect Ryan, an honorable mention to the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division team last season, to pose a threat on the perimeter and in the paint. Returning starters Gholson and Zapata will handle the ball at point guard and shooting guard.Other returners include seniors Cole Rhine, Cooper Bishop and Klayton Glaspy. Rhine and Bishop will play in the post, with Glaspy expected to be part of Excelsior Springs’ guard-heavy roster.B...