Boys Basketball Preview

Big changes in the conferences this season. The Packers will be competing in the Lakes Division of the WMC while the Red Devils and Panthers shift to the WMC Rivers Division.
And the CSAA? Well, the conference will forge the Silver and Gold into a single alloy creating an 11 team group. As a result there will be no home and home series between teams who will meet just once during the season.
Newaygo starts with a 3 game week opening at home against Motague Monday before taking to the road for a Wednesday game against Northview and a Friday conference opener at Central Montcalm.
Grant plays a pair at home welcoming in Ludington Tuesday and conference foe Lakeview Friday.
Fremont will start with a crossover game at home with Shelby then head to Ludington for their Laked Division opener against the Orioles
White Cloud’s season begins Tuesday when they host Mason County Eastern then on Friday Tri County arrives for a conference game.
Hesperia hosts Baldwin Monday and Lakeview Tuesday t before  Muskegon Catholic Thursday.
Holton plays their first two on the road traveling to Oakridge Tuesday and Fruitport Calvary Friday.


Fremont Packers
Coach Adam Bowen

The Packers lost a few starters from last year's conference runner-up team but return all conference honoree Jordon McDonald along with  Chaz Miller and Gavin Richards. Among the players joining them are Kyler DeKuiper, Will DeBlake, Ben Mellema and Andrew Steger.

From the Coach
Team Strengths- Good size, improved shooting, good athletes, dept
Biggest Challenge- Lack of varsity experience 

Probable Conference Frontrunners- This is a very deep conference but if I had to say it would be Ludington, Whitehall, Fremont and Montague

 “We are very excited about this team. We have a lot of potential with good size, athleticism and depth. We are looking forward to the challenge in our new conference.” 

Grant Tigers
Coach Joe Schuitema

The Tigers may have lost a lot of points to graduation but they return a solid core of players from last year’s squad along with some talent from their JV team. Lucas Swanson, Chase Geers, Zak Barnhart, Austin Whitney and  Mason Woodard  return while Oakley Obenauf, Blake Rider, Drew Crater, Zaiden Phillips Cohen Garrod and Colby Curtiss give Coach Schuitema a lot of options

From the Coach:
Team Strengths - We have 6 returning players with a lot of on court experience.  We have a balanced attack on both ends of the floor.
Biggest Challenge - We lack size with our tallest players standing in the 6'3" range.
Probable Conference Frontrunners - Big Rapids has the best resume to return as Conference Champions.  They return the majority of their team back and their JV team was really good, too.
 
”The guys are working hard to be ready to compete for a Conference Championship.  Our coaches really like the players we have and hope to see them reach their potential. 

White Cloud Indians
Coach Bob Jones

White Cloud brings back a lot of talent including all conference Honorable Mention Jared Watson, Mason Ruether, Kevin Straight, Christian Ringler, Jason Reuther and Vinny Ockert.
Noah Robinson got some Varsity floor time during the tourney last season and he will join the team along with Mason Cruzan,, Landyn McGowen Dominick Burkhart and Zane Keith
 
From the Coach:
Team Strengths- Speed and the ability to shoot the ball will be some of our team strengths this year.
Team Challenges- Once again we are not the tallest team so rebounding against taller teams will be a challenge again this year. A Defensive attitude first also and maybe the biggest key
To success this season.
Probable Conference Frontrunners- Big Rapids,Reed City and of course the team to the south with the Coach with the most colorful pants ( Kent City , Coach Ingles) are always ready to play.
 
“I believe this is our most talented all around team we've  had to date. Can we learn to be a team and give everything for each other, play tough defense first and finish games? I believe we can. This team could make some noise this year, looking to gain respect and getting back to playing White Cloud Basketball!!!. Could be a fun year!!!
 
Newaygo Lions
Coach Jason Long
 
The Lions bring back All Conference first teamer Bryce Decker and AC Honorable Mention Josiah Long along with Remy Wells, Dyllan Bazzette and Grant Harkness from a team that finished middle of the Pack last year. Caris Nelson and Blake Kerr will be some key additions to Coach Long’s squad.
 
From the Coach
Team strengths- We have good size and depth
Biggest challenge-Finding groups that play well together/rotations
Probable Conference Frontrunners-Big Rapids, Reed City
 
 “The team has worked hard and we are excited to see what we can do this season.” 


Hesperia Panthers
Coach Andrew Worcester

The Panthers have 8 players returning from last year’s youthful team Seniors Maddox Mosley, Maverick McKinnon, Gabe Gould Armando Escobar and Zach Glenn and sophomores Jared Tanner, Ethan O’Neal and Ian Fox all saw significant playing time last year.Matteo Materdomini, Bryce Billings, Blake Hernandez, Jake McFalda and Luke Greiner now add to the mix providing the Panthers with a long bench.
 
From The Coach
Team Strengths-Speed and toughness
Biggest Challenge- Strength and size
Probable Conference Frontrunners-Ravenna or North Muskegon
 
“We are going to be more competitive, more gritty and shock some teams this season. The move to the West Michigan Conference (WMC) this season allows our program an opportunity for a fresh start to prove our toughness and determination to be a contender in the Rivers division.”

Holton Red Devils
Coach Keith Swanson

The Devs had a good year finishing second in the Silver and ended their season with a loss to North Muskegon in the District Final. Three starters return from that team including All Conference Honorable Mention Carter Brant along with Brodrick Fialek and Chase Albright. Help has arrived as Nate Paseka, Gavin Wheeler, Keon McMillan, Trent Kooman, Steven Kersting, and Jayce McMillan loin the RD Varsity
 
From The Coach:
Team Strengths: Guard play
Team Challenges: Youth and inexperience
Probable Conference Frontrunners: North Muskegon, Hart, Mason County Central

“This year's team has a couple outstanding veteran leaders accompanied by an overall inexperienced group.  Brant, Fialek and Albright will help us get our newcomers up to speed in the early parts of the season with the hopes of competing for the league down the stretch.