Bowler boys basketball team expecting more competitive season

Coming off a down 2019-20 season, the Bowler High School boys basketball team is expecting a better season this winter behind an experienced core of returning players.

The Panthers finished 4-19 last season, going 2-10 in Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division play. Coach Ted Kietlinski will have to replace the lone all-conference player from that team, but returns several other experienced players and anticipates a more competitive team as a result.

Seniors Lane Schultz, Logan Thiex and Adin Brei and junior Wylee Dodge are all back and have started in the past.

Schultz and Thiex each averaged about 10 points per game last year, while Dodge (6.1 points per game) and Brei (4.4 ppg) combined to average another 10. The quartet also averaged about 18 rebounds per contest combined.

While Schultz, Brei and Dodge played in nearly every game, Thiex missed a big chunk of last season with an injury.

“Even though we lost our leading scorer to graduation last year, we still have three returning seniors coming up to lead the team and I still have high goals and expectations for our team,” said Thiex. “We have a good coaching staff, but we, as a team, need to execute plays and tidy up on the little things.”

Also back for the Panthers with significant varsity experience are junior Bryce Teuchert (center) and sophomores Ashwuut Mohawk (guard), Emmitt Kietlinski (forward) and Beau Brunner (forward). Mohawk was the team’s top scorer off the bench, averaging just under seven points a game.

Helping fill out the team’s rotation will be sophomore forwards Tristan Thiex and Brady Strassburg.

sports@newmedia-wi.com