New Blake Coach Will Try to Build off Last Year
By Matt Thomas Sports Reporter
Monday, November 21, 2005
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The Blake boys’ basketball team posted a disappointing 8-16 record last year but finished the season with five wins in their last seven games.
First-year head coach Nick Rathmann hopes to build off last year’s late success as he takes over the reins of the Bears program.
Luckily for Rathmann, he has a trio of captains who appear ready to propel the Bears over the hump this season.
Junior Blake Williams put himself on the map last season by averaging 20 points and six rebounds per game as a sophomore.
“He is an electric, gifted scorer with a smooth jump shot,” Rathmann said of his leading returning scorer.
Williams will share the captain duties with seniors Chad Rich and Michael Cathcart.
Rich is a 6-foot, 4-inch power forward who averaged eight points and six rebounds per game last season.
“Chad is a hard worker who should show much improvement from last year,” Rathmann said. “He has a solid inside and outside game and is capable of a triple double any game, as he is also a very gifted passer.”
Cathcart made it through the football season at the quarterback position without any serious injuries and will play the small forward position for the Bears this season.
Rathmann said Cathcart brings relentless energy to every game and is the team’s best defender.
Other returnees include small forward Nigel Sharper and point guard Andy Ellwein.
Newcomers who could make an impact this season include sophomore point guard Stewart Davis, small forward Jimmy Yablonski and senior center Drew Percival.
“Stewart is a great point guard who plays great defense and gets teammates involved first, but also possesses great scoring skills,” Rathmann said.
Yablonski is a zone buster with strong outside shooting skills, while Percival is a 6-foot, 9-inch center going out for basketball for the first time.
“We just don't have enough size, so rebounding will definitely be a focus of ours throughout the year,” Rathmann said. “If Drew Percival can give us quality minutes, this may change.”
Regardless of whether Percival can make a difference, the Bears will have their work cut out for them in the Tri Metro Conference.
The Tri Metro traditionally is a very talented conference. There are several Division I players this season and even more good teams, Rathmann said.
“DeLaSalle and St. Bernard’s are definitely the pre-season leaders, with Breck and Minnehaha not far behind,” he said. “I would like to think we could play our way into the upper half of the conference this year.”
The Bears will open their season on Dec. 3 at Lutheran High School of Minneapolis.
Reprinted with permission LakeShore News
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