VA
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
R EA A Y E LL
PAGE 1 Le Sueur County News | St. Peter Herald Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 • Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018
SPORTS PREVIEW
FEATURING: St. Peter Saints, Minnesota River Bulldogs, Le Sueur-Henderson Giants, Tri-City United Titans and Cleveland Clippers
St. Peter boys basketball brings back talented team By PAT BECK
pbeck@stpeterherald.com
St. Peter Boys Basketball COACHES Head coach: Sean Keating (6th as HC at St. Peter, 10th overall) Assistant coaches: Derek Homrighausen (10th year), Air Chantharak (1st at St. Peter, 6th overall), Neil Doose (22 years St. Peter, 32 overall), Jared Baron (8th year), Dan Guelle (3rd year) KEY PLAYERS Wyatt Olson — junior, center, lettered 2 years, All Conference Big South, 13.5 points per game and 10 rebounds per game last year. “Wyatt is a 2 year starter and brings experience and leadership (2nd year as captain) to our team,” Keating said. “His ability to draw the focus of the defense and help create for others will be key to our success.” Josh Johnson — junior, forward, lettered last year. Played in 13 games last season averaging 8.3 points per game and shot 43 percent from 3. “Josh has a work ethic and love for the game of basketball that is rare to see,” Keating said. “He shoots the ball with consistency and is always working on expanding his game.” Brock Hanson — senior forward, lettered last 2 seasons. averaged 6 ppg and 4.3 rpg last season. “Brock brings an infectious energy with his style of play that can uplift the entire team,” Keating said. “His ability to rebound, play defense and exploit mismatches will be key for us this season.” Seth Lokensgard — senior for-
St. Peter senior Brock Hanson drives for two points last season. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)
ward, captain. Lettered last 3 seasons. Averaged 6 ppg and 2.5 rpg last season. “Seth is a consistent 3-point shooter who can also use his body down low,” Keating said. “His ability to lead and rally his teammates will be key this season.” Ethan Grant — Sophomore, point guard. Lettered last season and played 17 games including starting the last 8. “Ethan is a tremendous passer and play maker and someone his teammates love to play with,” Keating said. “I’m excited to see him grow into a bigger scorer and be more aggressive this season.”
KEEP YOUR EYE ON Kaden Oeltjunbruns — junior guard, lettered last year. “Kaden had a tremendous summer and broke out in terms of his ability to be a playmaker,” Keating said. “I’m excited to see him take off this year and help our team.” Tom Eide — senior forward, lettered last season. “Tom is another hard-working player who can finish around the basket and can really guard on the defensive end,” Keating said. “His relentless work ethic fits right in with our team.” Eli Lubiani — sophomore forward, lettered last season. “Eli is a
naturally gifted player with his ability to finish around the basket and shoot the ball,” Keating said. “He has an opportunity to have some big nights this season.” Ethan Volk — jr. guard, lettered. “Ethan is a quick and explosive athlete who can shoot the ball from three and can provide game changing defensive plays,” Keating said. MOVED ON Owen Little, Brock Bushaw, Jake Emley, Leif Annexstad, Matthias Annexstad, Dylan Samuelson, Carter Schmidt 2018 SEASON OUTLOOK Last year’s record was 7-21 (4-6
conference, 4th place, lost in subsection semifinals to Maple River) Section favorites this year: South: Maple River, NRHEG, Blue Earth; North: Jordan “We feel we can compete for the top spot in Section 2AA South,” Keating said. “We have the talent to do it. It’s just a matter of coming together as a true team and playing for each other. Jordan is the overall section favorite as they return some key players and have lots of depth. Maple River and NRHEG play great team defense and return key starters while Blue Earth is a young team that can score the basketball.”
COACH’S COMMENTS “We are very excited for this season as despite the overall record last season we feel the last part of the season we played some good basketball and got a lot of experience for our younger players. We lost 11 games by 8 points or less last season and while the losses were frustrating that experience will motivate our players. Most everyone returns this year with some meaningful varsity experience which helps with confidence and understanding of what it takes to compete at the varsity level night in and night out. The key for this team is for our players to truly buy into playing for each other and that will show up mostly in our ability to play defense. If we want to compete with the best we have to play as a unit on defense and that requires trust, communication and commitment. I’m excited to work with this group as they are hungry and never shy away from a challenge.” — Sean Keating, head coach BY THE NUMBERS 26 — the number of regular season games on the schedule 52 — the number of players grades 9-12 registered for boys basketball 3 — the number of times the Saints boys basketball team has made it to the state tournament 30 — Nov. 30 is the Saints’ regular season opener at NRHEG 18 — Dec 18 is the Saints’ home opener versus Glencoe 494 — Wyatt Olson’s career rebound total