By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Bobby Staudt

2nd year

5-18 career record

THE TEAM

League: Portage Trail Conference.

Coaching Staff: Chuck Palmer, assistant; Lucas Bitong, assistant; Joe Siciliano, JV.

2023-24 Record: 5-18 overall; 1-9 PTC.

Returning Lettermen (5): Zach Hays, sr.; Landon Rodstrom, jr.; Blake Mullaly, soph.; Caleb Fillmore, soph.; Carson Hayn, soph.

Lettermen Lost (3): Cameron Mahone, Joe Weaver, Aiden Rodstrom.

SEASON OUTLOOK

In his second season, coach Bobby Staudt believes his team’s path to success is within discipline and attention to detail.

“We lost some of our most talented scorers from last year, so we will have to be disciplined within our offensive system, with attention to detail. We will need to have great shot selection and create opportunities in transition.”

Staudt said he also will push his team to “commit to being a great defensive team.”

GUARDS

Fillmore will step in as the team’s point guard. He split time between JV and varsity last year and has “grown his offensive game,” according to Staudt.

Mullaly started last year as a freshman and averaged 11 points per game. He also knocked down 57 shots from behind the arc as a long-distance threat.

“Blake is a good leader and does everything we ask of him. He is tough, competitive and wants to win.”

Hays is a combo-guard, who can play both with the ball and without. He is a solid outside shooter.

Noah Zager and Max McEwuen, both sophomores, are two other guards who will join the backcourt.

“Noah is a very scrappy defender, who may earn playing time based on his toughness and competitiveness. Max was not with the team last year, but we are very excited that he is with the program, and we look forward to seeing him develop.”

FORWARDS

Ethan White returns to the lineup after not playing last season.

“We are glad to have him back. He will be one of our better defenders and will improve as the season goes on.”

Dean Abdlrasul had a “very good summer” and will step into an expanded role on varsity this season after playing mostly JV last year.

“He is a crafty finisher and will be a big part of our success for the rest of his career.”

Hayn earned a starting role last year as a freshman. He was a solid defender and rebounder and “does all the little things right.”

CENTERS

Landon Rodstrom missed a large portion of last year with a shoulder injury.

“He has good size on the inside and can stretch the floor offensively.”

Luke Flowers, a senior who did not play last year, also brings depth to the frontcourt.

“His basketball IQ and length will get him on the floor a lot.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Blake Mullaly, soph.; Caleb Fillmore, soph.; Dean Abdlrasul, soph.; Carson Hayn, soph.; Noah Zager, soph.; Max McEwen, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are extremely young. Some of our younger guys actually have more experience than the few juniors and seniors we have. Eighteen of our 22 players on the roster are freshmen and sophomores.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“I think the league is wide open. Mogadore, Lake Center Christian, JFK and Aquinas all return key pieces from a season ago — even though the league, as a whole, is probably more inexperienced than it was last year.”