Sophs and seniors are the heart of MACCRAY's team

MACCRAY’s Isaac Strommer (left) and RCW’s Brandan Hoberg dive for the loose ball during the first half of a Camden Conference game March 1, 2021 at Renville. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Wolverines are senior and sophomore heavy heading into the season

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

CLARA CITY — There are six seniors, plenty of talented sophomores and no juniors on the 2021-22 MACCRAY boys basketball team. It creates an interesting dynamic for head coach Lucas Post as the Wolverines try to improve upon last season’s 8-10 record, which included a 7-8 mark in the Camden Conference.

“Our returning three starters give us a solid group to work around,” Post said. “All three have a lot of game experience and are able to impact the game in multiple ways. “We are young this season. We do have six seniors to lean on, but we do not have any juniors on our roster. Our sophomore class will have to step in and contribute in larger roles off the bench.”

MACCRAY’s Gavin Husman (5) launches a 3-pointer from the corner during the first half of a Camden Conference game against RCW on March 1, 2021 in Renville.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

The three starters back are Isaac Strommer, Gavin Husman and Brooks Asche. They’ll take the lead in order to replace graduates Brady Kienitz and Trenton Cavaness, who were a potent inside-outside combination for the Wolverines.

Kienitz is now playing basketball for Gustavus Adolphus after averaging 21.8 points per game. Cavaness averaged 13.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Strommer is a 6-2 senior guard who averaged 6.3 ppg last season. Husman is a 5-11 senior who averaged 8.6 ppg and Ashe is a 6-4 senior who averaged 4.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg.

“Isaac gave us solid minutes on both ends of the floor last season,” Post said. “He is athletic and a very good defender. “He had a season high of 19 points against Benson in the Case IH Holiday Tournament.”

Players to watch include Isaac Post and Jordan Warne. Both are sophomores. Post is a 5-11, 160pound guard. Warne is 6-5, 190 pounds and expected to contribute inside.

“Jordan practiced the entire year with varsity last season and has continued to develop strength and confidence moving into this season,” Lucas Post said. “We are looking for him to have an impact this year.”

MACCRAY forward Brooks Asche lines up a jump shot during a Camden Conference contest against Central Minnesota Christian on Feb. 18, 2020 from the CMCS gym.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune