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'Skins to battle height issue |
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Wednesday, 28 November 2007 |
Wapakoneta dealing with lack of size
By JOSHUA KEERAN
Sports Editor
The Wapakoneta varsity boys basketball team made it to the district finals last season, but if the Redskins are to duplicate that feat, they will have to do so with a lot less height.
Gone from last year’s squad are B.J. Reed (6-foot-7), Justin Shark (6-foot-5) and Derran Erb (6-foot-4).
With a smaller squad at his disposal, Wapakoneta varsity coach Scott Minnig will turn to his seniors for leadership and to his perimeter offense for scoring.
“We do not have the height that we had the past two years, but I believe we will be able to overcome that,” he said.
One way to overcome a lack of size is with a club ladened with seniors, which Minnig has this season. The problem, however, is that many of those seniors are lacking varsity experience.
“I feel like we have a strong group of seniors that will help to lead our team in a positive way,” Minnig said.
Returning letter winners to the team include seniors Drew Parker, Kyle Maus, Zach Brown and junior Jacob Lambert.
“I believe they will be able to bring strong leadership on and off the court,” said Minnig of his returners. “They went through the tough games last year and understand what playing varsity basketball at a high level is all about, and I expect them to help lead the way for the new guys.”
The rest of the Redskin roster includes five seniors (Drew Golden, Reid Turner, Brad Pulfer, Derek Mankin and Luke McDevitt), as well as two sophomores in Mike Bogan and Jackson Hayzlett. Minnig said junior Lance Dauch will also dress for varsity from time-to-time this year.
“I believe that we have a nice mix of new additions to our team,” Minnig said. “We have some seniors that will be playing their first year of varsity basketball and I know they will bring a positive impact to our team. We also have the addition of two sophomores to the team that will bring great effort and basketball skill to our team. “
Besides senior leadership, other ways to overcome the size issue is by playing fundamentally sound basketball and taking advantage of the perimeter.
Minnig believe this year’s club is capable of doing both.
“Our guys have worked hard in the off-season on their basketball skills, and I believe that we will have the ability to shoot the basketball well,” he said. No matter what transpires over the next few months, Minnig said fans should have a fun time watching his club play night after night.
“I believe that people will find our team fun to watch because they are very unselfish and they get along with each other very well,” he said. “I know they will be ready to compete every night they step on the floor and will represent our community with pride.”
As far as the Western Buckeye League is concerned, Minnig feels as though two teams stand out among the rest, but then after those two schools, it’s anyone’s guess.
“I believe our conference, as usual, will be tough night in and night out,” he said. “I would say the league favorites would have to be Shawnee and Ottawa-Glandorf. After those two teams I think there are a lot of teams, including ourselves, that will be right in the mix at the end of the year. “
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 November 2007 )
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