RCW plans to change its style

With a smaller team than past seasons, Jaguars will adjust with returning starters Schrupp and Miller

BY MICHAEL LYNE | West Central Tribune

RENVILLE — Renville County West enters the 2022-23 season without a size advantage that it has been accustomed to over the years.

As a result of the smaller Jaguars roster, RCW head coach Matt Huhnerkoch plans to run his lineup by utilizing five guards on the court.

“For the first time in a long while RCW will have to play basketball without a size advantage in the middle. This year’s squad will almost always be the smaller team on the court,” said Huhnerkoch, who’s in his 12th season at the helm of the program. “We graduated all of our size and most of our points scored last year, so we will have to find new scorers and a new style of play to be successful.”

RCW junior Adam Schrupp attempts to pass CMCS junior Brayden Marcus on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Renville.

West Central Tribune file photo

A pair of key losses are Tyler Froland and Jaden Serbus. Froland averaged 17 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in 2012-22. Serbus notched 9.3 points and 12 rebounds per game.

“With only two starters returning and one of those — forward Jaise Miller — coming off an ACL injury from the summer, experience is lacking and younger players will be asked to step up,” Huhnerkoch said.

RCW’s two returning starters are seniors in guard Adam Schrupp and Miller. They will need to elevate their games to help the Jaguars build on last year’s 10-17 record.

Another name mentioned by Huhnerkoch to look for is sophomore guard Ryan Schrupp, who averaged 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

“Ryan is a young player who knows how to impact the game in every facet,” Huhnerkoch said. “He can score in multiple ways and is also a very impactful defensive player.” ◀