Joe Drennan
Sports EditorWith Tom Frericks the only returning starter from last yearís team, Forest Lake head boys basketball coach Chuck Gunderson is looking for some other players who have some varsity experience to step up and fill the void left by the graduation of Joey Ryan, Kevin Keto, Lance Overson and Lucas Anderson from last yearís Suburban East Conference championship team.
Ryan scored over 1000 points for the Rangers, Keto started as a guard for two seasons, and Overson worked hard rebounding.
Seniors Collin Authier, Chris Conley and Ross Miller could be the players to step up and pick up the slack, left by the departure of last yearís seniors. Sophomore post player Nate Robertson could fill the gap left behind by last yearís seniors.
ìWeíre going to be relatively green to start with,î Gunderson said. ìWeíre inexperienced as far as the varsity experience goes.î
The inexperience of his team does not worry Gunderson, he is confident in his teamís skills. Once the team comes together and learns what each player does in key situations, Gunderson believes his team will be one of the best teams in the SEC and 4A section.
ìWe have to use this preseason to learn how to adapt to one another,î Gunderson said.
Once the regular season starts on Jan. 16 against Park (Cottage Grove) the true test begins for the Rangers.
ìI think eventually, we have the potential to be a good basketball team,î Gunderson said. ìItís going to take games to get the experience so they know what to expect because we do have good players, skills, and decent size.î
As the season progresses, Gunderson sees his players adapting to the stronger opponent and faster game. The players worked hard over the summer to help make the jump to the varsity level, but Gunderson said a little more work is needed.
Opponents
With a number of players returning, Gunderson expects Roseville to be one of the top teams in the SEC this season. Having a lot of their players from last seasonís team returning this year will help Roseville. Stillwater and Mounds View are expected to have strong teams as well. Woodbury also has a number of young players who have been successful at the lower levels.
Park (Cottage Grove), White Bear Lake and Hastings all lost a number of players from last year and will most likely be in a rebuilding stage.
The Rangers changed sections in the off season, moving from section 6AAAA to 4AAAA.
Conference teams Roseville and Stillwater join White Bear Lake in the Rangers section. North St. Paul, Johnson, Arlington, and Como are also in section 4A. Como joins the section after a state tournament last season while in section 3A.
The change in section allows the Rangers to see more of their section opponent during the season since there are several SEC teams in section 4A.
ìThis season is going to be fun for me,î Gunderson said.
ìWe have a good group of kids and theyíre going to work hard. I think we have the makings of a real good basketball team and itís going to be exciting to see them come together.î
The team started the season Tuesday as they played section opponent St. Paul Como. The game was played after deadline for the paper so the score and stats were not available.
The next game for the Rangers is Friday at St. Paul Harding with a start time of 7 p.m.
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