Posted: 12/7/05
Experience could lead boys basketball to the top of the SEC
|
|
 |
Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
The 2004-05 season wasnít exactly what youíd call a magical season for the Forest Lake High School boys basketball team thanks to a 9-18 record. Head coach Chuck Gunderson is optimistic that this year will be much different.
ìWe have seven of our top nine players back from last year,î Gunderson said. ìWe gained valuable experience last year and we hope to keep building onto that experience this year.î
The Rangers lose Noah Lawson and Chris Sobieck to graduation, but return Nate Robertson, Drew Cremisino, Josh Williams, Aaron Jacobs, Matt Hansmann, Robert Gavanda and Corey Kuefler.
Lawson and Sobieck combined for 12.9 points per game last year and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Robertson, a 6í6î senior, is the Rangers top returner as he averaged 13.6 points per game with 7.2 rebounds per game. Right behind Robertson is junior Cremisino, a 6í points guard who averaged 5.4 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per game.
As of right now there are no assigned captains on the team. Gunderson says he may institute a rotating captaincy similar to the one the Minnesota Wild use, but he isnít too sure.
ìLeaders have to develop,î Gunderson said. ìYou canít pick somebody who hasnít proven themselves.î
To prepare for the season the Rangers worked hard over the summer now that coaches have more access to their players during the off season. Gunderson was able to work with returning athletes two times a week over the summer and made sure they were on summer teams and competing in tournaments.
ìIt makes a big difference,î Gunderson said. ìWeíre farther along than we were at this point last year for the obvious reason we only lost two players out of our top eight, but we were also able to practice with the new guys over the summer.î
Competition
With the addition of Cretin-Derham Hall to the Suburban East Conference the Rangers simply have one more quality basketball team added to their schedule.
Gunderson expects Cretin-Derham Hall, Roseville and Stillwater to be atop the conference standings, but is also hoping the Rangers can be right up there with him.
ìThe conference is competitive year in and year out, but hopefully we can build our confidence,î Gunderson said. ìThe biggest concern is getting our team to focus on improvement and not becoming complacent because they (the Rangers) all have varsity experience.î
Weekly recap
The Rangers opened their season Saturday with a victory over St. Paul Como Park.
ìI thought for the first game we played well,î Gunderson said.
The Rangers outscored St. Paul Como Park 35-26 in the first half and looked to have the game in their hands, but St. Paul Como Park battled back in the second half and outscored the Rangers 32-25. Luckily the Rangers were able to hang on and win the game 60-58.
ìThe game started out slow, but we got into a rhythm and built ourselves a lead in the first half,î Gunderson said. ìThe second half started off slow too, then they (St. Paul Como Park) got into a rhythm and built a lead, but we were able to come back and build up our lead again.
ìThey (St. Paul Como Park) had a rim rattler at the end where they shot a three pointer, but luckily it bounced out.î
Robertson was the big scorer for the Rangers as he finished the game with 23. Cremisino was the next highest scorer with nine points.
The Rangers next game is today, Thursday, at Champlin Park at 7:30 p.m. The Rangers have their home opener Saturday when they host Duluth Denfeld at 1 p.m.
Alumni Tourney
The Rangers will host an alumni tournament on Jan. 21. Those eligible to play include anyone who graduated from Forest Lake High School, a past or present teacher in the Forest Lake School District or a person who attended at least one year at Forest Lake High School.
Cost for the tournament is $15 a player. The goal is to have eight teams who are guaranteed three games. Each game is two 20 minute halves with running time up to the last two minutes. All games will be played on full size courts at the high school with referees.
Each participant receives free admission to the Rangers game against Stillwater that night.
All proceeds go to support the Rangers basketball team.
To register call Dan Cremisino at 651-982-8016.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605