2006-2007 Boys' Basketball Preview
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Blake Basketball has March Motivation!
Julius Erving once said, "Goals determine what you're going to be."
This seasons goals for the Blake Boys' Basketball team have moved beyond striving for a winning season. Now in addition, the goal of the season is to compete and advance through their very tough section playoffs in the month of March.
Last season saw the Bears tie the school record for wins, finishing with a 16-11 record. In the first round of playoffs, Blake upset Trinity allowing them to play 2A runner up Breck. Blake graduated a very talented senior class that included Chad Rich (all-conference), Michael Cathcart (honorable mention all-conference), Nigel Sharper, Shane Svenpladsen, Drew Percival, and DeAndre Sully-Coleman.
Although the loss of such a talented senior class, Head Coach Nick Rathmann believes this season has the potential to be even better.
"We may not win 16 games again this year, but I expect us to be a better team. Our schedule is very tough this year, and that will only make us stronger for a playoff run. That is our goal for this year, to win our section", stated Rathmann.
Leading the way is a strong senior class. Blake Williams is the leader of this team, and is one of the best players in the conference. He averaged 20.4 ppg last year, and scored his 1000th point as a junior.
Coach Rathmann noted, "Blake is gifted with loads of athleticism and is worth the price of admission to watch him play. Every available moment he's in a gym some where working on his game, and that work ethic will allow him to not only have a wonderful senior season, but also permit him the opportunity to play at a higher level in college.
Contributions will also be expected from forwards Ryan Jach, Charlie Lannin, and Matt Gallivan. This group of big men will be the difference makers for the upcoming season. Each has the ability to perform at an all-conference level, but need to give the Bears consistent play from game to game. Junior Tyler Hoeg hopes to also find his way into the forward mix.
The possibilities at the guard position are the team's biggest strength. Returning for the Bears are all-conference honorable mention Stew Davis along with other letter winners Andy Ellwein, Jimmy Yablonski, Sam Kozloff, and David Nash. Freshmen Jerrett Williams needs to develop at the lower levels, but will likely find his way onto the varsity roster by the end of the year.
Coach Rathmann assesses the guard position; "We are very deep at the guard position. I expect Stew Davis to have a break out year. He put in a lot of hard work over the summer and should continue to give us the outside threat that spreads the court."
The Tri-Metro conference will be as tough as ever now with the addition of St Anthony and Brooklyn Center to the conference. DeLaSalle and St. Bernard's are the early favorites to finish at the top, along with Breck and Minnehaha. Blake is expected to finish in the upper half of the conference.
In the Bears section, returning champ Breck is poised for another great year, along with Rockford and Holy Family. The Blake Bears look to make a strong push to be included as a top seed.
The season opens with a home game versus Jordan on December 7th, 7:30 PM.
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