Longtime Wildcat Christian Booher has been hired as the new head varsity boys basketball coach at Evart High School. The move was made official Monday at the school’s board meeting.

“(When) this opportunity came available, I wasn't necessarily shopping around or looking for different high school job,” Booher said. “Anytime there's a chance to apply for a job to come back home, this was my (number) one. I'm excited to be back and excited for the journey.”

Booher, who graduated from Evart High School in 2019, spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Mid Michigan College. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Shepherd High School under head coach Lance Maney. When Maney took the job at Mid Michigan, Booher followed to serve as an assistant with the Lakers’ women’s program after the 2021-22 season. He spent two years learning under Maney and the last year under new head coach Kaleb House with the men’s program.

“When (Maney) got the job with the women's team at Mid (Michigan), he took me on as a volunteer assistant,” Booher said. “It was that mentality to just say yes to everything and do whatever you can to stand out. Then this past year, an opportunity to join up with Coach House came available. It was just an opportunity to see things in a different light and play a different style of ball. We had a ton of success.”

Booher replaces former head coach Kris Morgan, who has been with the Wildcat program since 2014. Evart finished last season 18-5, one of the best records in school history.

“Coach Morgan has made this transition very easy,” Booher said. “He's been awesome for me and I really appreciate him for that. The group from last year had a ton of success. We’re losing a lot of that senior production, but I think there's a lot of kids in the rising sophomore and junior classes.

Booher noted that junior Aidan Anderson and freshman Jett Reedy are two returning players who stood out to him while following the Wildcats last year.

When asked about his coaching and team’s style of play, Booher said he wants to utilize a fast pace and prideful defense.

“Sometimes the best offense is really good defense, because it makes life easier for you on the on the offensive side. It creates easy opportunities through steals, hustle plays, and defensive rebounds. I think that is what we can start to take advantage of.”

Booher also has experience as a sportswriter, covering Central Michigan University during college and the Detroit Lions as a part-time beat reporter for FanNation. He has also worked as a play-by-play broadcaster for Reed City football on NewsRadio WBRN for three seasons.