Your guide to Pentwater’s, Mason County Eastern’s and Manistee Catholic Central's upcoming sports seasons, featuring stories, team photos and schedules
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Ludington Daily News • Thursday, December 5, 2013
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| THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Mason County Eastern boys basketball
Cardinals to use muscle this year BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR
2013-14 SCHEDULE
CUSTER — Sacrifice for the sake of the team. That’s what Ed Knizacky will be bringing to Mason County Eastern’s team as the Cardinals are shooting for improving on an 8-13 mark overall a season ago and 6-10 in the Western Michigan D League. Knizacky takes over for Steve Hull, who coached three seasons for Eastern. And he takes over with a whole lot of muscle on the team. Beyond senior center Jimmy Appledorn, it’ll be tough for the Cardinals’ opponents to push around the likes of Travis McCormick, Justice Gilchrist and Clifford Lawson. “I’m going to definitely work to my strength, which is the inside game. If they double-down on that, with these offensive plays I’ve implemented, . . . they can kick the ball out to Clifford Lawson or Justice Gilchrist or Hunter Hofmann.” While Eastern can go toeto-toe with anyone poundfor-pound, what the Cardinals began the season looking for was a point guard. Sort of. Knizacky began looking through different ways of implementing all five players on the floor without necessarily having a true point guard. “I went online and found some plays where there really isn’t a point guard,” he said. “There’s a lot of pickand-rolls and movement. Yeah, it starts out looking like there’s a point guard. But two or three players can run the same position. “The only one that is secure is Jimmy Appledorn,” Knizacky said with a smile. The team initially didn’t
Dec. 10 McBain NMC Dec. 12 BR Crossroads Dec. 17 at Brethren Dec. 19 at Baldwin Jan. 7 at Bear Lake Jan. 9 Pentwater Jan. 14 at Walkerville Jan. 16 at Fruitport Calvary Jan. 22 Manistee Catholic Jan. 24 Onekama Jan. 29 at Manistee Catholic Jan. 31 at BR Crossroads Feb. 5 Brethren Feb. 10 Baldwin Feb. 12 Bear Lake Feb. 14 at Pentwater Feb. 19 Walkerville Feb. 25 at Hart Feb. 27 at Onekama
FOR MCE BOYS BASKETBALL
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grasp when he was trying to implement, but it’s taken hold now. It’s taken hold for a team of solid big men and good spot-up shooters. JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS Eastern’s roster: Members of the 2013-14 Mason County Eastern varsity boys basketball team are, front row, from left: Travis McCormick, Josh SENIORS: Justice Gilchrist, Michael Matzen, Hunter Spencer, Hunter Hofmann and Jimmy Appledorn JUNIORS: Jonathan Stewart, Travis McCormick, Ian Rutledge, Cody Smith, Clifford Lawson, Josh Verhoeven and Frank D’Asaro. What Eastern doesn’t have, it seems, is that player that can slash his way to the basket. Knizacky is OK with that, too. “In these plays I have, they’re set plays,” he said. “They’re a lot of screens and back-door cuts and doublepicks. I’m back in the old style of thinking. I don’t like this one-on-five stuff. That’s what a slasher is, where they penetrate and kick it back out. “To me, when they run that kind of offense, the other four people relax into
Verhoeven, Frank D’Asaro, Jonathan Stewart, Hunter Hofmann, Cody Smith and Ian Rutledge; back row, Hunter Spencer, Clifford Lawson, Jimmy Appledorn, Justice Gilchrist, Michael Matzen and coach Ed Knizacky. nothing. My style is that everybody should be ready to shoot the ball. If they’re not, that’s their fault. With these plays, I’ve got five or six options to shoot the ball.” His goal for this season is to get Eastern into the top of the WMD this season. He recognizes Baldwin and Brethren as two of the top teams. “Onekama (junior varsity) gave us fits. They beat us twice,” Knizacky said. “Baldwin, you never know what happens with Baldwin. I think we’re at least in the top three or four. If everything goes right, I think we could be at the top.” At the same time, he’s one of several new coaches in the league, when factoring in Brethren and Manistee Catholic. What kind of advantage is there, if any, to Knizacky
and the Cardinals? “It could benefit us quite a bit. I’ve been out of the circus, if you want to call it, now for 10 years,” Knizacky said, referencing his last varsity job overseeing Free Soil.
“A lot of the older coaches who are here know who I am. Those new coaches, they don’t know who I am, so they don’t know who I am. It may help us the first time around (through the conference).
“I don’t know them, either. . . It’s going to be entertaining to see the (work) between the two coaches to see who can make the right decision at the right time.”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Mason County Eastern boys and girls bowling
MCE bowls with complete teams BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR
balance out the roster. The girls roster:
CUSTER — Mason County Eastern will have full bowling teams for both the boys and girls team this season and both teams will have a nice mix of bowlers with experience and without. Both teams will be coached this winter by Diane Hartley, who oversaw the girls program last season. Kevin Stark coached the boys last year. The boys team, which was co-ed because of low numbers, has a blend of three seniors, a junior and two freshmen. The boys roster:
JUNIORS: Sarah Hartley and Hannah Smakal. FRESHMEN: Casey Mickevich, Katrina Hinzman and Zeressa Craig.
The numbers for the program are a bit up because of fundraisers to help defray the costs of joining the team. The typical fee for joining the team is $125 per person, Diane Hartley said, and the money raised helped to lower the cost per person to $75. “We had different people donate to the bowling program,” she said. “It’s a payto-play program. We were able to drop the cost of bowlSENIORS: Sid Mickevich, Ron ing through donations. We Tyndall, Devon Harvey. sold decals for cars that say, JUNIOR: Brent Swan. ‘I support MCE bowling.’” FRESHMEN: Daniel Busch, Zach Eastern again is in a conJensen. ference with Baldwin and Mason County Central. The “Sid, Ron and Devin are trio teams could be joined helping the freshmen that by Big Rapids Crossroads, we have. They’re each tak- but that is uncertain at this ing one on and they’re men- time. The three schools are toring them,” Hartley said. fairly close-knit, she said. DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWS “They all get along. It’s nice.” “They know each other. Members of Mason County Eastern’s bowling team, front row, from left, Sid Mickevich, Ron Tyndall, Brent Swain, Devon Harvey, The girls team returns They all get along. There Daniel J. Busch and Zach Jensen; back row, Zaressa Cregg, Hannah Smakal, Katrina Hinzman, Casie Mickevich, Sarah Hartley and with two bowlers from last might be a person you want coach Diana Hartley. season, Sarah Hartley and to beat, but there’s no aniHannah Smakal. mosity. I think it helps a lot. the kids and the kids try to many expectations for this fun and do the best that they want it to be a job. They need The girls team also adds The bowling alley is very be good to them.” season, save for one. can,” she said. “I want them to learn good sportsmanin a handful of freshmen to nice to us. They’re good to Hartley doesn’t have too “I just expect them to have to enjoy bowling and I don’t ship.”
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Mason County Eastern girls basketball
MCE goes back to basics this year BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR CUSTER — There’s so much new with the Mason County Eastern girls basketball program, it’s easier to say what isn’t. Two players return from last year’s team that finished 7-14 overall and 6-10 in the Western Michigan D League — Emily Knizacky and Taylor Bryant. Knizacky has the most experience as she saw a lot of playing time last season. That, though, was under Matt Millspaugh and now she’s playing for Ben Knizacky this season. Knizacky took last year off from coaching after spending four seasons with Walkerville’s program. While the Cardinals lost a slew of girls, from two-time All-Stater Elena Luce to senior Jordan Lake to a still numbing car accident in the fall, Ben Knizacky will charge ahead with a core of girls who grew up in Custer and three foreign JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS PHOTOS
TOP: Members of the 201314 Mason County Eastern varsity girls basketball team are, front row, from left, Dani Schultz, Taylor Bryant and Emily Knizacky; second row, Ryann Oomen, Marissa Kist, Sigrid Kjeldgaard, Andrea Kasin and Veronica Baldi; back row, coach Ben Knizacky. BOTTOM: Members of the Mason County Eastern cheerleading teams are, front row, Danielle Vanheck; back row, from left, Ashley Nehm, Taylor Grimm, Haley Sloan, Ashlee Purple, Jessica Martin, Brianna Walter, Veronica Baldi, Andrea Kasin, Katelyn Maciag, Lauren McCumber and Breanna Kist. Not pictured: Raven Stone and coach Dee McCumber.
exchange students. “Without a summer program, our experience — them getting used to me and me getting used to them — has been very brief. We’re starting to gel a little bit better with what is to be expected,” he said. “Ball-handlingwise, it’s going to boil down to Emily, Dani (Schultz) and Ryann (Oomen). “We’ll have Taylor (Bryant) and Marissa (Kist) down low in the box. Then our remaining cast are all exchange students. And before Nov. 11, they didn’t touch a ball.” Eastern’s roster: SENIORS: Veronica Baldi, Andrea Kasin and Taylor Bryant. JUNIORS: Ryann Oomen, Dani Schultz, Emily Knizacky, Elizabeth Bentley and Marissa Kist. SOPHOMORE: Sigrid Kjeldgaard. One of the exchange students is from Norway, another from Italy and the third is from Denmark. “All three of the girls are good girls and they have athletic abilities. But, they’ve never played,” Knizacky said. “They’ve never played contact sports. I think their skill\ level will come along, but knowing that is a contact sport will be the challenge.” The Cardinals will be doing some of the same things they’ve done in the past five years for Millspaugh, Knizacky said. It’s being done to try to simplify things for the incoming players, both the foreign exchange kids and the homegrown talent. “There’s a lot of aspects of our team that are still fundamentals,” he said. “I’m trying to keep it as simple as possible because I have to spend a fair amount of time with that. “I’m trying to keep it as
2013-14 SCHEDULE FOR MCE GIRLS BASKETBALL
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Dec. 3 at Hart Dec. 6 BR Crossroads Dec. 11 Manistee Catholic Dec. 13 at Brethren Dec. 16 Fruitport Calvary Dec. 18 Baldwin Dec. 20 at Bear Lake Jan. 8 Pentwater Jan. 10 at Walkerville Jan. 13 at McBain NMC Jan. 17 Onekama Jan. 20 at Kent City Algoma Jan. 23 at Manistee Catholic Jan. 28 at BR Crossroads Jan. 30 Brethren Feb. 4 at Baldwin Feb. 6 Bear Lake Feb. 11 at Pentwater Feb. 13 Walkerville Feb. 20 at Onekama simple as possible. . . We’re not really changing a lot. We may change it up the road. I’m allowing the kids from last year to do the things they did last year. Because of the lack of being able to try new things, we’re trying to make as easy of a transition as possible.” Eastern began the season with a nonconference game at Hart Tuesday night. It will then host Big Rapids Crossroads in the Western Michigan D League opener Friday night. Knizacky believes things could be a little rough to start, but he’s got his eye on how the team will look in late January. “We’re going to be thrown right into Round One right away,” he said. “The biggest key is that we need to make sure we stay focused and stay ready. “With the inexperience, the progress will be gradual and slow and hope for the best for the latter part of January,” he said later. “I’m hoping we’ll have our program in the right direction.”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Pentwater boys basketball
Falcons stout at guard BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR PENTWATER — Pentwater’s boys basketball team will be markedly different than in years past — it’s going to be dominated with experienced juniors and seniors. Fifth-year coach Ashley Wojtas is excited with the prospect of having a team that isn’t young and inexperienced combined as the lineup has players in the two classes, except for German foreign-exchange student Jan Loyen. “I have this group of seniors and juniors with one sophomore who is an exchange student,” Wojtas said. “In the past, I’ve had that eighth, ninth or 10th grade group. I’m going to miss the seniors who graduated, but I have a senior-led group and the experience is there to play for itself.” The most experience comes from returning guards Sam and Alex Wagner. Alex Wagner, a senior, is a sniper from the outside who led the Falcons in 3-point shooting a year ago. Sam Wagner will again run the team as the point guard. The junior is entering his third season with the varsity team and leads both through deed and voice. The Falcons have a fivefour split when it comes to guards and forwards and in favor of guards. “My guards are probably the strongest with Alex and Sam, I have Chance Helms coming back. He didn’t play one season, but played two seasons prior. Jordyn
2013-14 SCHEDULE
FOR PENTWATER BOYS BASKETBALL
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Dec. 10 Fruitport Calvary Dec. 12 Baldwin Dec. 17 Bear Lake Dec. 18 Muskegon Catholic Dec. 20 Hart Jan. 7 at Walkerville Jan. 9 at Mason Co. Eastern Jan. 14 Onekama Jan. 16 at Brethren Jan. 24 Manistee Catholic Jan. 29 BR Crossroads Jan. 31 at Baldwin Feb. 3 at Hesperia Feb. 5 at Bear Lake Feb. 12 Walkerville Feb. 14 Mason County Eastern Feb. 19 at Onekama Feb. 21 Brethren Feb. 25 at BR Crossroads Feb. 27 at Manistee Catholic Stutzman and Derek Malburg will play at guard, too,” she said. The forward position is where Pentwater will see a marked difference. Erik Wallstrom, a threat to bring in a double-double every night, graduated. With a raw Loyen, that leaves Joey Thrailkill, Jared Visger and Nick Anscombe there who will need to pick things up in the rebounding department. Pentwater’s roster:
ANDREW SKINNER | SHORELINE MEDIA
Members of the 2013-14 Pentwater varsity boys basketball team are, front row, from left, Alex Wagner, Jordyn Stutzman, Sam Wagner, Derek Malburg and Chance Helms; second row, Jared Visger, Nick Anscombe, coach Ashley Wojtas, Jan Loyen and Joey Thrailkill.
more well-rounded teams. It’s a different makeup than in the past definitely an interesting group,” she said. Pentwater finished 13-7 last season and 11-5 in the Western Michigan D League, SENIORS: Alex Wagner, Derek finishing third behind ManMalburg, Jordyn Stutzman, istee Catholic and Baldwin, Chance Helms and Joey respectively. Wojtas expects Thrailkill. to see both Baldwin and JUNIORS: Sam Wagner, Nick Catholic to be tough, but Anscombe and Jared Visger. tabbed the Panthers as the SOPHOMORE: Jan Loyen. favorites. “Second place is going to Wojtas, though, feels that be a battle between us and the team is very balanced Brethren,” she said. “They’ve throughout its nine-man got a new coach and they lineup. had a great JV last year. I “I probably have one of the think they’re going to be a
tough team to battle with. “I always have to put Manistee Catholic up there. They’re always competing for that first place spot.” ANDREW SKINNER | SHORELINE MEDIA
Members of the Pentwater cheerleading team are, front row, from left, Francieska Boyko and Carrie Griffis; second row, Rita Panozzo, Natalie Henley and Caitlin Hackett; third row, coach Andrea Gallie, Hailey Smith, Asher Knobel, Caleb Glover, Ethane Lambsan, Christina Cormany and Cheyenne Drechen; fourth row, Lillian Knudsen, Taylor Gebhart and Jaclyn Varela.
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Pentwater girls basketball
McDonough ‘cautiously optimistic’ BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR Pentwater’s girls basketball team was in an extremely good position heading into the 2013-14 season. The Falcons started the season Tuesday night against Kent City Algoma Christian, and did so returning every player from last year except for one, Savannah Slikkers. Slikkers went down with an injury last year and during the basketball season. Operations and cures haven’t taken hold and she will not be on the floor this season. She’s a junior, and she could return for her senior year. The Falcons, who went 4-17 overall last year and finished seventh in the Western Michigan D League, return their top two players -- sophomore Emily Gebhart and freshman Linnea McDonough. And the team has one of its top post players, Jennie Bromley, back, too. “Jennie Bromley, our only senior, should be a force in the paint,” second-year coach Jeff McDonough said. “Emily Gebhart is a great athlete, she will lead us at the guard position. Linnea McDonough, who led the team last year as an eighth grader statistically, will also play a big role.” Pentwater’s roster:
ANDREW SKINNER | SHORELINE MEDIA
Members of the 2013-14 Pentwater girls basketball team are, front row, from left, Anna Hofmann, Gia Brewer, Chyanne Smith, Taylor Wilkinson and Emily Gebhart; second row, Crystal Bromley, Savannah Slikkers, Jennie Bromley, Linnea McDonough, Jordan Lucas, Sophia Nyberg and coach Jeff McDonough.
a player from last year’s team, it gained a handful of new faces. Jeff McDonough is excited to see what inSENIORS: Jennie Bromley. coming freshman Anna HofJUNIORS: Jordan Lucas, Flo mann and eighth grader TayPeterson, Savannah Slikkers. lor Wilkinson can do. SOPHOMORES: Gia Brewer, Em“(These) two young playily Gebhart, Sophia Nyberg and ers have really impressed Chyanne Smith. me so far this year,” he said. FRESHMAN: Crystal Bromley, “They are quick and their Anna Hofmann and Linnea skills will only improve.” McDonough. Pentwater started to show EIGHTH GRADE: Taylor Wilkinsigns of big progress last son. season, making a run at the Class D district title before While the team didn’t lose being eliminated. Many of
the girls also brought the school a district championship in volleyball a few weeks ago. “I am cautiously optimistic. We are still very young,” McDonough said. “We took some hard lumps last year but ended on a strong note. We made it to the district finals, winning two of our last three games. We only won four games last year, our goal is to double that this year.” The task may be tougher than that. McDonough recognizes both Bear Lake and
Big Rapids Crossroads as the teams that are the ones to beat. Manistee Catholic and Onekama also will be tough. And, he still has some concerns about his team’s youth. “We will again be the youngest team in the conference. Our player average is 10th grade, but last year it was 9th grade,” he said. “ We had a tough time last year handling pressure. Turnovers were our biggest stumbling block. Our goal this year is to cut them in half.
2013-14 SCHEDULE
FOR PENTWATER GIRLS BASKETBALL
Dec. 3 Kent City Algoma Dec. 6 Baldwin Dec. 11 BR Crossroads Dec. 13 Bear Lake Dec. 20 at Walkerville Jan. 8 at Mason Co. Eastern Jan. 10 Onekama Jan. 15 Brethren Jan. 17 Manistee Catholic Jan. 20 at Montague
| Jan. 23 at BR Crossroads Jan. 28 at Baldwin Jan. 30 at Bear Lake Feb. 4 Hesperia Feb. 7 at Lk Leelanau St. Mary Feb. 11 Mason Co. Eastern Feb. 13 at Onekama Feb. 18 at Brethren Feb. 20 at Manistee Catholic
“We were in the bottom want to be in the middle and third of our conference in play competitively with the 2012-2013. This year we top teams.”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Manistee Catholic girls basketball
Sabers’ eight loaded with experience BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
2013-14 SCHEDULE
MANISTEE — Although it’s a small complement, with only eight players on the varsity, Manistee Catholic Central’s girls basketball team does have experience. With four returning seniors and two sophomores who saw extensive playing time, first-year coach Terry Walker has a solid foundation. It’s finding out how the other bricks fit into the structure that will be the challenge as the Sabers open the 2013-14 season full of hope and lofty expectations. The Sabers graduated four or five girls off last year’s team, and while they’ll certainly be missed, Walker is enthusiastic about the group of veterans he has back. Amber Robke, Alysha Heck, Hannah Janicki and Courtney Sorenson are the seniors who have been tested in the crucible of competition, and should be prepared to take on even bigger leadership roles for the Sabers. Renee Seymour is the only junior on the squad, but two of the sophomores — Meghan Miller and Mia Hogan — played a lot last year and that experience will be invaluable to Walker as he mixes and matches his lineups early in the season. Manistee Catholic’s roster:
Dec. 5 Brethren Dec. 11 at Mason Co. Eastern Dec. 13 Lk Leelanau St. Mary Dec. 18 Bear Lake Dec. 20 at BR Crossroads Jan. 8 Walkerville Jan. 10 at Baldwin Jan. 14 at TCBAA Jan. 15 at Onekama Jan. 17 at Pentwater Jan. 21 Hart Jan. 23 Mason Co. Eastern Jan. 28 at Brethren Feb. 4 at Brethren Feb. 6 BR Crossroads Feb. 11 at Walkerville Feb. 13 Baldwin Feb. 18 Onekama Feb. 19 at Mason Co. Eastern Feb. 20 at Pentwater
FOR MANISTEE CATHOLIC GIRLS HOOPS
SENIORS: Amber Robke, Alysha Heck, Hannah Janicki and Courtney Sorenson JUNIORS: Renee Seymour; SOPHOMORES: Meghan Miller, Mia Hogan and Jodi Janowiak. “Leadership is what been looking for from four seniors, and so far been real pleased with
I’ve my I’ve the
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leadership they’ve provided for us,” Walker said. “I’ve been happy with all the girls as far as their work ethic. They’re really working hard, and that’s a good thing. We’ve got some better than average speed and energy.” The Sabers will try to capitalize on their speed and quickness on defense, where they hope to get out and run, forcing tempo. On offense, the Sabers are going to push the ball, whether it be off the defensive glass or by creating
turnovers and gaining extra possessions. “I would much rather play and coach an up tempo game, than a slow down half-court game,” Walker pointed out. “But, you have deal to with what you have in terms of your assets. “This year, I definitely see that as one of our strengths. That’s what we’re going to look to utilize and capitalize on, is a pressing game and running game. “We’re not going to have a lot of height. Meghan Miller’s probably got our best height, and Courtney (Sorenson) is probably close to that.” Robke is small but quick, and Heck not only is quick but has the strength physically to play in the post if Walker is so inclined to use her there. Janicki runs the floor well, and has a lot of positives when she’s on the court. Hogan can elevate and jump, with Walker looking to play her inside as well. One of the toughest teams the Sabers will find to match up against is Bear Lake, which has the most height of any team in the West Michigan D League. “They’re going to be a load to handle,” Walker agreed. “Another strong team in the league with a lot com-
GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS
Members of the Manistee Catholic Central girls basketball team are, front row, from left: Renee Seymour, Meghan Miller, Mia Hogan and Jodi Janowiak; back row, Amber Robke, Alysha Heck, Hannah Janicki and Courtney Sorenson. ing back is Big Rapids Crossroads. “Just going to some of the games last year as a spectator, I think we’re going to be in the mix. We’re definitely going to have to catch some
breaks here and there. I look for the conference to be pretty competitive. “It’s so easy to get caught up in looking ahead, and I don’t want to do that, and I don’t want them to do that. I
want them to focus on every single day just trying to get better in practice. “If we come in, improve and get better every day in practice, then the wins will take care of themselves.”
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Manistee Catholic boys basketball
Randall ready for Sabers hoops BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — Not that long ago, Jonathan Randall — then known more popularly as JJ, which stands for Jonathan Jeffery — was prepping for another basketball season as a player. Randall still handles a basketball, just not all the time like he used to as a point guard at Bear Lake, but with a whistle around his neck and eyes glued to what’s happening on the court, girding for his first season as a high school boys basketball coach. The team that he has to coach at Manistee Catholic Central as he attempts to fill the big shoes of longtime coach Dale Edmondson, Jr., is almost as young and inexperienced at the job as he is. One of the more seasoned veterans, Jeremy Bigalke, will be unavailable for at least the first three or four weeks of the regular season because of an injury suffered in a football scrimmage that forced him to miss his senior year on the gridiron. Manistee Catholic’s roster: SENIORS: Jeremy Bigalke, Jason Kaminski, Ben Feliczak and Ryan Hansen JUNIORS: Nathan Fortier and Blake Vargas; SOPHOMORES: Chad Robke and Jordan Kuenzer. It leaves Randall with seven players to start the season, and not nearly as much depth as he’d prefer. But, he’s prepared to play with the hand he’s been dealt. Among the aces in the deck are returning seniors Jason Kaminski and Ben Feliczak along with junior Blake Vargas. Randall is counting on the rest, including inexperienced senior
Ryan Hansen, a full house. “They are great kids, with very good work ethic,” Randall said. “They bring it every day. They know when it’s got to be turned on. “Once we start getting into drills, they work their tails off. I was not able to work with them at all during the summer, so it’s very surprising that they are picking up on what we want to do pretty quickly. “We’re not gifted with the greatest height, but they can run, they shoot and each of them can play pretty much any position. They all play hard. They can dribble, rebound hard and they can all pretty much take it to the hole.” Vargas fits into that mold, Randall says, and he has a solid jump shot. Kaminski will be rotating between a big and a guard, and has the strength to take a lot of guards to the hole. Feliczak might be the team’s most versatile player, according to Randall. “He’s very gifted,” Randall says. “He’s a good shooter, a good ball handler, a good rebounder, a good passer . . . just a real solid player. “Nate Fortier (a junior) is a good spot up shooter. We’ll set some screens for him to open for a shot. (Jordan) Kuenzer (sophomore) is a tough-nosed kid and good competitor.” It’s that versatility that Randall is counting on to be the Sabers’ strength this season. Because of their lack of height, Randall says the Sabers will have to be aggressive at going for the ball and putting a body on somebody. Offensively, the Sabers will try to capitalize on their speed. Right now, it’s a work in progress, learning what they’re good at, and what
GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS
Members of the Manistee Catholic Central boys basketball team are, front row, from left: Blake Vargas, Jason Kaminski, Chad Robke and Nathan Fortier; back row, coach Jonathan Randall, Jordan Kuenzer, Jeremy Bigalke, Ben Feliczak and Ryan Hansen. they’re not so good at. He wants to push the ball as much as possible, but still be able to set up into an offense that caters to the team’s strengths. Randall likes man-to-man on defense, with a little bit of ball pressure, forcing turnovers, which in turn can speed the offense up. One thing he isn’t focused on right now is worrying about the competition in the West Michigan D League. He’s
been too busy getting comfortable with the players, and evaluating what talent he has. It’s going to be a culture change for Randall. “Just going from a player’s perspective to a coach’s perspective . . . I’ll probably have to have somebody calm me down,” Randall joked. “But, I’m sure I’m going to be a little energized, a little enthusiastic. That’s how I was as a player, and that’s how I am as a coach.”
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2013-14 SCHEDULE
FOR MANISTEE CATHOLIC BOYS BASKETBALL
Dec. 10 at Mason Co. Eastern Dec. 12 Brethren Dec. 19 Bear Lake Jan. 7 at BR Crossroads Jan. 9 Walkerville Jan. 13 Traverse City Christian Jan. 14 at Baldwin Jan. 16 at Onekama Jan. 24 at Pentwater
Jan. 29 Jan. 30 Jan. 31 Feb. 7 Feb. 12 Feb. 14 Feb. 19 Feb. 21
Mason Co. Eastern TCBAA at Brethren at Bear Lake BR Crossroads at Walkerville Baldwin Onekama