Experience, depth boost Tigers’ hopes

HOWARDS GROVE – An experienced, deep Howards Grove boys basketball team should be a force in the 2009-10 Central Lakeshore Conference title chase.

The Tigers return three full-time starters and two part-time regulars from last year’s CLC runners-up who finished 12-4 and tied for second in the league, and 15-7 overall. Heading the group are two 2008-09 All- CLC selections – junior forward Josh Horness, who was named to the second-team, and senior point guard Eric Dickmyer, honorable mention.

“I’m optimistic. I think we’ll be one of the top teams in the conference,” said Tiger head coach Chris Schroeder.

“I’m excited. I think we have the potential to be pretty good. I like the group of players we have back.

“The kids are working hard and are focused in practice. If we continue that and transfer that to the court in games, we can have a very good team,” said Schroeder.

Horness led Howards in rebounding last season with an 8.4 average. Dickmyer was the assist leader at 2.5 per contest. They were 2-3 in scoring – Dickmyer with a 10.8 average, followed by Horness, 10.7.

“I like our depth and we have some flexibility. We’ll have Josh more in the perimeter because he is a good outside shooter,” Schroeder said.

“I’m looking for leadership from the seniors and Josh.”

The coach thought the team did well in Saturday’s scrimmage at Grafton. Howards played West Allis Hale, Heritage Christian (Milwaukee) and Brookfield Academy.

“We played well as a team, shot well and played fairly solid defense. We found out the things we need to work on,” he said.

Schroeder said the keys to having a good season include taking care of the ball, being effective on offense and defending.

Previewing the CLC race, he looks at defending champion Sheboygan Christian as the title favorite. The Eagles return two All-CLC first-teamers in seniors Lee Veldkamp and Joe Meerdink.
HOWARDS GROVE BOYS
BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Varsity/JV/Freshman
Nov. 28 – at St. Mary’s Springs
Dec. 1 – Sheb. Christian (JV-V), here
Dec. 4 – Sheb. Lutheran (JV-V), here
Dec. 8 – at New Holstein
Dec. 10 – at Cedar Grove (JV-V)
Dec. 11 – at Sheboygan North (Fr.)
Dec. 15 – Ozaukee, here
Dec. 18 – at Oostburg
Jan. 5 – at Kohler
Jan. 9 – Manitowoc Wilson (Fr.), here
Jan. 9 – Stockbridge (JV-V), here
Jan. 12 – at Elkhart Lake (JV-V)
Jan. 12 – at Manitowoc Washington (Fr.)
Jan. 15 – Random Lake, here
Jan. 18 – Kiel, here
Jan. 21 – at Sheboygan Christian (JV-V)
Jan. 21 – at Manitowoc Wilson (Fr.)
Jan. 23 – Laconia, here
Jan. 26 – at Sheboygan Lutheran (JV-V)
Jan. 29 – Cedar Grove (JV-V), here
Feb. 2 – Sheboygan South (Fr.), here
Feb. 4 – at Ozaukee
Feb. 9 – Oostburg, here
Feb. 12 – Kohler, here
Feb. 16 – at Sheboygan South (Fr.)
Feb. 18 – at Stockbridge
Feb. 23 – Elkhart Lake (JV-V), here
Feb. 23 – Sheboygan North (Fr.), here
Feb. 26 – at Random Lake
HOWARDS GROVE VARSITY
BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER