BOYS BASKETBALL
E2 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021
INDEX Central Lakes Conference: Willmar Cardinals ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� E2 Wright County Conference: New London-Spicer Wildcats ��������������������������������������������������������������������� E3 Litchfield Dragons �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� E4 West Central Conference: Benson Braves ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� E5 BOLD Warriors ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� E6 Minnewaska Lakers ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ E7 Montevideo Thunder Hawks ���������������������������������������������������������������������� E7 Central Minnesota Conference: Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Falcons ��������������������������������������������������������� E8 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars �������������������������������������������������������������� E8 Paynesville Bulldogs ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ E9 Christian Athletic League: Community Christian Eagles �������������������������������������������������������������������� E10 Camden Conference: Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays ����������������������������������������������������� E11 Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks �������������������������������������������������������������������������� E12 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Fighting Saints ��������������������������������������� E13 Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles ����������������������������������������������������������������������� E13 MACCRAY Wolverines ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ E14 Renville County West Jaguars ����������������������������������������������������������������� E15 Yellow Medicine East Sting ���������������������������������������������������������������������� E16 Credits The West Central Tribune’s 2021-22 boys basketball special section was written, edited and photographed by sports writers Joe Brown and Matthew Curry and sports editor Tom Elliott Cover Photos Left to Right: BBE’s Kaden Pieper hoists up a 3-pointer during the first half of a Central Minnesota Conference game against Eden Valley-Watkins on March 11, 2021 at Brooten. Central Minnesota Christian guard Case Mulder drives to the basket during a Camden Conference game against Minneota on Feb. 1, 2021 from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg. New London-Spicer’s Brycen Christensen (3) scores on a layup during the first half of a Wright County Conference game against Glencoe-Silver Lake on Feb. 26, 2021 at NLS High School in New London. Willmar guard Alex Schramm brings the ball up the floor against pressure defense from St. Cloud Tech’s Garrison Murray during a Central Lakes Conference game Jan. 28, 2021 from Willmar High School. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune
Joe Brown / West Central Tribune file photo
Willmar’s Sam Raitz (31) puts up a layup through traffic during a Central Lakes Conference game against Alexandria on Feb. 11, 2021 at the Big Red Gym at Willmar High School.
West Central Tribune file photo
Willmar guard Cayden Hansen drives toward the baseline during a Central Lakes Conference game against Brainerd on March 4, 2021 from Willmar High School.
Cards plan to push the tempo With good depth and quickness, Willmar hopes to play full-court basketball BY TOM ELLIOTT
said Holtkamp, a longtime Willmar assistant who was once head girls WILLMAR — There’s a basketball coach at Kerknew head coach in town hoven-Murdock-Sunburg. and if there’s one thing “We will be one of the Jeff Holtkamp would like smaller teams in the conyou to know, it’s that he ference.” loves to run-and-gun and There are four players play full-court basketball. with a lot of experience Expect both those back, including returning things to happen because Holtkamp, who was hired starters Cayden Hansen last spring for the retiring and Alex Schramm. Hansen is a 5-foot-9 Matt Williams, believes senior guard who averaged the Cardinals have the 5.1 points, 3.9 rebounds personnel to pull it off. and 2.5 assists per game. “I think we can go 11 deep,” Holtkamp said. “I’m He led Willmar with 20 steals. excited.” Hansen is a “floor leader Holtkamp said Will(who) takes good care of mar had a good summer, the ball and makes good improving its defense decisions,” Holtkamp said. from last season’s 7-13 Schramm is a 6-0 senior squad. He also likes his guard who is headed to squad’s athleticism and the University of Minneoverall quickness, which he believes will be an asset sota-Duluth on a football scholarship. Schramm’s throughout the lineup. the Cardinals’ leading The concerns? Well, returning scorer at 9.1 the Cardinals aren’t tall. They’ll be one of the small- ppg. He also averaged 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists er teams in the Central per game. Holtkamp praisLakes Conference, which looks to Alexandria, Brain- es Schramm for his quickerd and possibly St. Cloud ness and athleticism. He’s Apollo and Fergus Falls as also one of Willmar’s top 3-point shooters, averagearly favorites. And with the lack of size ing 39% on his long-range attempts. comes another concern: Two others who played rebounding. “An area of concern will a great deal are Sam Raitz be our team rebounding,” and Blake Schoolmeester. West Central Tribune
Raitz is a 6-3 junior who can play inside or outside. He averaged 3.5 ppg. Schoolmeester is a 6-6 junior who gives the Cardinals’ a little bit of length. While he’s a post player, he’s also a good shooter who averaged 5.3 ppg. Players to watch include Abdihamid Abdullah, Harris Duininck and Cade Roelofs. Abdullah is a 6-0 senior guard whom Holtkamp believes will be a pleasant surprise this winter because of his improvement. Duininck is a 6-3 senior forward who is a “very active player (who) will make plays because of his hustle and determination,” Holtkamp said. Roelofs, a 6-5 senior, is another big guy who will be asked to deal with opponents’ inside players. He’s a “good defender with a long wingspan,” Holtkamp said. He’s also an aggressive rebounder on both ends of the court. Holtkamp is impressed with his squad’s team chemistry and work ethic. “We’re looking to run,” he said. “We’ve got the depth and team speed to do it. “Quite a few kids from the JV last year will surprise people. They were very good last year, winning 15 or 16 games.”