With a new coach and just one returning starter, it could be a transition year for the Gillett Secondary School boys basketball team.
However, coach William Greenwood II is hoping it’s a smooth change for the Tigers, 5-18 a season ago, including 5-11 and seventh place in the Marinette & Oconto Conference Conference.
“We’re just moving forward from what was and I’m going to establish things the way I want the program run,” Greenwood said. “We’re changing our offense and our defense completely.”
Greenwood has never been a head coach before, but has had assistant jobs at Freedom and Sheboygan North. He most recently was an assistant and head coach in Shawano’s youth program. He replaces Matt Polomis.
Gillett lost its top three scorers from last year: Clint Long (13.6 points per game), Shane Anderson (13.1) and Kyle Kershak (5.8). However, the team’s next four scorers are all back: Jake Kasten (4.4), Dylan Roberts (3.7), Danny Torres (3.4) and Adam Werner (3.2).
“We’re going to lean heavily on Jake this year to be the guy, a leader on the court,” Greenwood said. “Other than that, pretty much all brand new rotations coming in. We’ll play maybe eight or nine deep. Our front eight guys, we have length and athleticism, I think, and we have toughness and cohesion.”
Greenwood is hoping that toughness comes from some of his players who played football, namely Kasten, Roberts, Torres and Evan Bubolz and Matt Peterson. Werner and Bryce Simpson also are expected to be key contributors.
“All those seniors and juniors will be relied on to come out on the floor and be tough,” Greenwood said. “There’s going to be some growing pains here initially, but I think they can progress well together. I see this group growing very quickly with each other.”
Greenwood isn’t ready to name his starters, but he said those who get the opening nod will be guys who play solid defensive.
The Tigers are hoping to dictate the tempo of games on both ends of the court.
Offensively, after losing two double-digit point producers, some players need to step up in the scoring column.
“I’m hoping that Jake is going to be good at taking it to the rim,” Greenwood said. “I anticipate it’s going to be spread out. There could be a night were we have eight across the board between maybe five or six guys. I don’t think we’ll have a dominant scorer, but I think there’s going to be some balance in our offense.”
Greenwood said his team will be in good shape if it can keep games tight, because closing out games will be one of the Tigers’ strong points.
“We do a lot in practice where we need to finish games,” Greenwood said. “That last minute, I want it to be not stressful for us because we’re tough enough to finish games. I think we’re also going to be tough on the boards.”
The Tigers’ team goals include minimizing turnovers and winning the rebounding battle each game.
“But the team goal this year from me is I want individuals who are excellent,” Greenwood said. “I want individuals who are tough in the face of adversity. I want individuals who are victorious but are humble. That is a huge goal for me that I prepare young men for success, not just on the court but on everything throughout their lives.”
Greenwood believes Peshtigo is the clear favorite in the M&O this season. The Bulldogs have nearly every player back after going 16-0 last season.
“Realistically, I hope we’re in the upper half. That’s a good place to start for us,” Greenwood said. “Could we win conference? It could very well be possible.”
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