Robin boys look to build upon solid base going into 2009-10 season Nov. 19, 2009 One could assume that after last year’s success, The Antigo High School boys basketball team could just sit back and rest on its laurels as it heads into the 2009-10 season.
Apparently, that is a memo coach Jesse Shaw and his squad did not receive.
Let’s look at the facts.
In 2008-09, Antigo dominated the Great Northern Conference by finishing at 12-0 (19-4 overall) and earning a WIAA regional championship.
Three of its players, Skylar Cameron, Chris Sailer and Player of the Year Jordan Mach were named to the all-conference team.
And Shaw, who is entering his third year at the helm, was named the GNC’s coach of the year.
After putting in a hectic and productive summer, the Robin team is primed to build off of last season’s success.
“We have a lot of chemistry working for us this year,“ senior captain Cameron said. “We have played together for four years and know each other’s style—things are really gelling for us.”
With the loss of only two seniors through graduation, Jake Weber and Dakota De La Pena, the Robin squad returns four starters to this year lineup with Cameron, Sailer, Mach and Andreas Ezer and three varsity letter winners, Matt Littlejohn, Connor Lund and Jackson Draeger.
In addition, Shaw will have a talented group of juniors coming off a great JV season last year. But getting to the top again will be hard work.
“This team understands that we will be fighting for a conference title this year with Merrill, Lakeland and Medford,” Shaw said. “I believe that we will be pursuing a conference championship this year, not defending one.”
Providing leadership and scoring will be point guard Mach (20.5 ppg) and Cameron (13.1 ppg). Senior center Sailer gives the Robins a big 6-9 middle man who chipped in about six points per game. Ezer, who started 18 games as a freshman, will look to help bring the ball up the court and score more to open up the offense. Antigo as a team averaged 55.6 points per game and shot 43.3 percent from the field.
While its offense should improve, Antigo will continue to pride itself on defense. The Robins once again will sport a 1-3-1 zone defense that last season allowed 39.7 points per game.
The pressure style defense forced opposing teams to commit 15 turnovers per game, which set up about seven easy baskets per game.
"This season will not be easy for us. Our conference opponents will be looking to avenge the losses from last year," Jordan Mach another senior captain said.
The Red Robins last year protected the Sheldon Field house with a perfect 12-0 record. Mosinee will be the first GNC team to try and defeat Antigo on Dec. 4.
Antigo starts its season off traveling to Wittenberg-Birnamwood Tuesday, before heading to Manitowoc over the Thanksgiving break, where they will face Whitefish Bay (21-3 last year). The Robins will also travel to Shawano to play in the Sun Drop Classic during the Christmas break. This year's "show down on 64" will take place at Merrill on Dec. 12.
The GNC will be tough with Merrill returning a solid team that finished 11-10. The same scenario could be said with Lakeland's veteran coach Ted Voigt. The Thunderbird's carried a 15-8 overall record. Medford will see four of its starters return from a team that finished 14-7 last season. Mosinee, Tomahawk and Eagle River round out the conference and all look to improve from last year.
"We will do our very best to represent this program, this school and this city in the way we play, act, and talk whether we are on or off the court," Shaw said.
In looking for continued fan support at home games, Shaw cited the difference when opposing teams come into "The Nest" and looks forward to the same home court advantage this season.
|
|
|
