2009-10 hoops preview
'Defense first' for the Vikings Central coach wants transition scoring after stops lthough last year's win total can be expressed with a single "highfive," the Walled Lake Central Vikings look to use at least two and hopefully three hands to count this season's wins. The senior-laden team looks to take the experience gained from last year's disappointing season and use it to fuel a winning run. "We've got four guys returning from last year's team that played a significant amount of minutes," said Head Coach Dennis Butcher. "Last year was a down year and our average loss was by only 2.6 points. Our guys will benefit from that and know now how hard you have to play at the varsity level to win." Seniors Joe Diamond (6-0 and 170 pounds), Joe Zubrickus (6-5 and 105 pounds), Justin Kucera (6-2 and 200 pounds) and Karl Boedecker (6-3 and 200 pounds) each will be relied upon heavily this year. "Diamond is a guard who is very quick and a guy who has the ability to get to the basket," Butcher said. Zubrickus and Kucera also are guards who will tandem with Diamond. "Zubrickus is an excellent athlete," Butcher said. "He jumps very well and he can do a lot of things offensively. He's somebody who changes the complexity of the game with his athleticism." Kucera will be counted on to hit some "bombs" for the team. "He can shoot the (three-pointers)," Butcher said. "But he's probably our best all-around defender." Shoring up the paint will be Boedecker. "We'll definitely be counting on him to be a strong influence on the inside with rebounding," Butcher said. Three other seniors — Amilio Aboo, a 6-2 small forward; Jake Paulson, 6-6 and 190 pounds; and Zach Skonieczny, 62 and 230 pounds — will play multiple positions. Senior Jeremy Kucera (6-1, 185 pounds) will also work off the bench with juniors Steve Raad (a 5-10 guard) and Adam Coric (a 5-10 guard). Butcher describes the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) race as "completely wide open" and said he hopes to "give our guys a chance to compete for a league title." ❏ — Mark Stowers
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2009-10
Hoops Schedule Dec. 8 at Plymouth, 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at South Lyon East, 7 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Novi, 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Milford, 7 p.m. Jan. 5 vs. Clarenceville, 7 p.m. Jan. 8 vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at Walled Lake Northern, 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at Walled Lake Western, 7 p.m. Jan. 19 vs. Waterford Mott, 7 p.m. Jan. 22 vs. Waterford Kettering, 7 p.m.
COACH: DENNIS BUTCHER SIXTH SEASON 2008-09 RECORD: 5-16, 2-8 ASSISTANT COACHES: JEFF MOHR, HARRY GLANZ
Jan. 26 vs. Hartland, 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Lakeland, 7 p.m. Feb. 2 vs. Walled Lake Northern, 7 p.m. Feb. 5 vs. Walled Lake Western, 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at Waterford Mott, 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Waterford Kettering, 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at KLAA Tournament - 1st Round, 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at KLAA Tournament - 2nd Round, 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at KLAA Tournament - 3rd Round, 7 p.m. Mar. 2 at KLAA Crossover, 7 p.m. Mar. 4 at KLAA Championship, 7 p.m.
Four of Walled Lake Central Head Coach Dennis Butcher's returning Vikings played significant minutes last season. That experience should help Central compete for a Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) title. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard) 2009-10 | HOOPS 7