2007-2008 Boys' Basketball Preview
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"Basketball is a Brotherhood" is the celebration of a group of players brought together to form a single, unstoppable unit. The sole objective is to win through honoring the core values of the game: we lead by example; we trust each other; we make the extra pass, we fight for our fellow brother every night; we don't check box scores. And the only name on the jersey we care about is the one across the front. In the "Brotherhood," dynasties don't happen alone. In the "Brotherhood," it's "We not Me." The "Brotherhood" only happens when forces combine and egos die. Laugh and cry together. Win and lose together. Fight together. Always together! Only through team and through a "Brotherhood" can you achieve the impossible.
The above citation is a new marketing campaign from Adidas in their latest press release, and has also been adopted for the upcoming season of the Blake Bears Basketball Program.
Last season, the Bears finished 8-18 and are looking to improve upon that mark. Led by five seniors: Matt Gallivan, Charlie Lannin, Ryan Jach, Blake Williams and Sam Kozloff. The cornerpiece of the program for the last four years has been Blake Williams. Williams led the Bears in scoring the last three seasons, and last year led the Metro area with 29.1 ppg. He now plays for Ivy-League Division 1 Dartmouth.
This season there are a lot of opportunities for underclassmen to step in and contribute. Leading the way will be the senior captains Stewart Davis, Tyler Hoeg, and Andy Ellwein. Davis, a 6'0" senior shooting guard, was 6th in the state in three pointers made and one of the teams best defenders. Hoeg, 6'5" power forward, is the teams only returning post. He will be asked to rebound more than ever, and also expand his offensive role to become one of the primary options. Ellwein, a 6'2" small forward, looks again to continue his role as having the ability to play just about every position. He brings great energy to the court, and was voted the teams' best defender last season. His role is likely to expand as well on the offensive end of the court. Jimmy Yablonski, a 6'0 shooting guard, returns for his third season on the varsity, and gives the Bears depth at the guard position and another threat from outside on the perimeter. Other seasons returning for the Bears include Blake Krieger, Jeff Dunn, and Mike Rogers. Coach Rathmann believes these three will get opportunities to come and give us some support throughout the year as all three can shoot the ball very well.
Junior David Nash, a 6'1 point guard, started 12 games last year for the Bears before an injury prematurely ended his season. Nash is quick, strong around the basket, and a very good athlete. Other juniors looking to contribute this season are Mac Bascom, Dante Van Court, Charlie Dunning, and Devin Durant.
Sophomores Jerrett Williams and Blake Burwell round out the Varsity team early in the year. Williams came on strong for the Bears at the end of the year last year and played significant minutes on the varsity level as a freshmen. Williams is one of the most athletic players in the tri-metro and has the potential to the best defender as well. Burwell, 6'4 C, is a strong, determined post who plays with a great work ethic. Extremely coach able, the Blake coaching staff looks forward to working with him on his development.
The Blake Bears are looking for a season to force the combination of their strengths into a competitive season where anything can happen. Go Bears!
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