Sports
Bottineau basketball looks to surprise in 2012-13
Tyler Ohmann
11/27/2012
When a team loses their three top scoring threats, including two All-Region performers, that can call for a transformation, and that is what the Bottineau Braves basketball team is looking to do as they began practice on Nov. 19.
“We’re going to be a completely different team than last year,” Simpson said. “Last year we wanted to be in the 60s and 70s scoring points, this year we probably want to play in the 40s and 50s.”
“If we can keep the games in the 40s and 50s, we’re going to be there and we’re going to be competitive,” Simpson added.
The Braves lost the two leading scorers in school history as seniors Mark LaCroix and Justin McCloud topped off a senior season with a 23-2 record and a runner-up region finish.
They also lost senior starters Devon Grenier and Seth Bartholomay.
However, there are 33 high schoolers vying to replace those starters in 2012-13.
“We’ve got really good numbers, not a whole lot to complain about with numbers,” Simpson said. “We’re going to have 33 kids out, and I can’t complain about that. Ten freshman and 11 seniors, so it’s good.”
Returning is starter and senior Trevor Wettlaufer, who just came off an impressive season at tailback for the Braves football team, as he rushed for more than 1,500 yards. They also return key role player Garrett Pollman.
In total the Braves have 11 seniors, and Simpson hopes that they can find a couple guys to replace the scoring that McCloud and LaCroix provided.
“We’ve got to find somebody who’s going to score for us early, and we know that’s going to be hard to come by,” Simpson said. “We’re really concentrating on the little things like taking care of the ball and defense, because if we can do that we can be competitive in any game.”
“We’re really looking to be focused on rebounding, defense and not turning the ball over early on and scorers will come as we get comfortable with playing,” Simpson added.
One of those player competing for a starting spot is senior Taylor Parisien. He along with many of the other Braves have to fight for one of 10 spots.
“This season is going to be a big change for a lot of us,” Parisien said. “Just getting used to the speed of the game mostly, and a lot of kids will have to step up for us scoring-wise this year, because we’re not going to score as much as last year.”
“The nice thing about this year is that the scoring is going to be spread out more, a lot more kids scoring more points, unlike just three players like last year,” Parsien added.
Another positive that Parisien sees in himself and his teammates is hard work.
“We have a lot of hard workers out on the court that like to hustle, and that’s going to be a big thing for us,” Parisien said. “A lot of young kids that fight for the ball, dive for loose balls, and we’re going to work harder than some teams.”
“A lot of teams won’t give us the credit, because of what we lost from last year, but teams are going to be surprised at how hard we work,” Parisien added.
Simpson said that the 10 spots for varsity are wide open and any and all of the Braves players have an equal opportunity to impress the coaching staff and earn their place on the team.
“It’s wide open right now,” Simpson said. “I’ve talked to the kids and nothing is guaranteed as a junior or senior. Anywhere from freshman to senior, those guys are getting looked at for varsity minutes.”
“I have 33 kids auditioning for 10 spots right now, so it’s whose going to help us the most, and who’s working hard and deserves it,” Simpson added.
As far as the game plan, it hasn’t changed too much. Fundamentals are still key according to Simpson.
“Nothing has changed defensively. We’re still going to work hard, but we might have to play a little more zone to match up better with teams,” Simpson said. “I’m still going to preach the same things, work hard, rebound and take care of the ball, it’s just we’re going to have to be a little more patient on offense and keep the game at a little bit slower pace.”
Parisien said that all the Braves hope to accomplish begins with practice.
“We work hard and get mentally prepared for games in practice,” Parisien said. “The harder we work in practice, I think the better we’ll perform in games.”
The main thing that both Parisien and Simpson agree on is that while they don’t return a lot of experienced players, they will surprise teams and spectators alike.
“The biggest key now is to get in shape and work hard and surprise people,” Parisien said. “That’s the biggest thing I think we’re going to do this year is surprise people with how we play.”
“We lost a lot, but there are kids eager to step up and I think they are ready for the challenge, and we have some kids that are going to surprise some people this year,” Simpson said.
Bottineau begins their season at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Rolla-Rock Lake. Their first home game is at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 when they host Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood.