Hazen High School has hired Ryan Thompson as the new head boys basketball coach.

Thompson spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Jamestown College. He will replace Gary Schaplow, who took over head coaching duties in December for James Olive.

The Highlanders went 22-7, won a Seamount League title and advanced to the 3A state tournament last season. They lose five seniors to graduation, including four of their top five scorers.

The top returners are Frankie Johnson (6.1 points per game, 4.0 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game) and Dawit Kasa (11.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game). Both will be seniors.

Thompson played basketball for three years at NCAA Division III University of Wisconsin-River Falls and one year at NAIA Jamestown College.