Encore in store?

Westosha’s Tre Williams brings the ball up against Wilmot last season. Williams will be counted on as a leader for the Falcons this season.
Westosha’s Tre Williams brings the ball up against Wilmot last season. Williams will be counted on as a leader for the Falcons this season.

New-look Falcons poised to defend conference crown

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Following a historic run last year, when Westosha Central High School captured its first boys basketball conference title since 1998, the Falcons face high expectations to duplicate the feat.

But, according to second-year coach James Hyllberg, he has told the team to focus on the season ahead and to forge a new identity after the departure of several graduated seniors including 6-foot-5 wing Ron Hall and 6-3 forward Jordan Easthon along with forward James Manring and guard Nik Buchmann.

“I’ve told them that this is a new year and that this team has to carve out its own identity,” said Hyllberg. “We have to come ready to practice each and every day and trust that hard work and attention to detail will pay off.”

Lucas Graveley
Lucas Graveley

The team is coming off an 11-3 Southern Lakes Conference slate and 16-8 overall and returns first-team all-conference players Tre Williams and Lucas Graveley, both senior captains.

Williams, a 5-foot-11 senior guard, compiled 18 points per game last year while Graveley stepped in to replace an injured Easthon and averaged 15 points.

“We will look to our senior captains Tre Williams and Lucas Graveley for leadership, but all of our players have a voice,” said Hyllberg. “We are one family and I expect each of our guys to lead in their own way.”

While Hyllberg expects Williams and Graveley to pick up where they left off last season, the coach is relying on returning letter-winners, including senior guard Nic Frederick, senior forward Bailey Menarik, senior guard Jacob Werth, senior guard Jack Schroeder along with junior forwards Cooper Brinkman and Joey Gilliland.

“I think Nic Frederick, Cooper Brinkman, and Joey Gilliland all have potential to make a name for themselves this season,” Hyllberg said.

In addition to the returning letter-winners, Hyllberg is also looking at sophomores Jaeden Zackery, Adam Simmons and Dylan Anderson to make a contribution this year, and in the future.

All three were have shown promise, according to Hyllberg.

“Our three sophomores are three special talents,” Hyllberg said. “They will have some natural growing pains, but I’ve been very impressed in practice by their maturity and work ethic.”

Adding to the sophomores’ work ethic is their willingness to learn and improve their games.

“These guys know how to play, they want to win, and most importantly they are coachable,” he said.

Entering the season, Hyllberg has penciled in Williams, Graveley, Frederick, Gilliland and Brinkman as the starting five.

Hyllberg, however, said the lineup could change depending on matchups.

“Based on matchups and opponent, our roster has the flexibility to go small and utilize some of our speed,” he said.

Although the team touts flexibility and speed, Hyllberg reiterated the Falcons’ point of emphasis is pass distribution and shot selection.

“Moving and taking care of the ball is the key to every successful team. We put a heavy emphasis on ball distribution,” he said. “We want to eliminate bad shots. We have some guys who can score, and our offense allows for guys to utilize their strengths within the system.”

The strengths, Hyllberg stated, include a deeper bench.

“If guys are careless with the ball, we have guys on the bench that can fill that role,” he said. “We are much deeper than last season.”


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