By Chris Parker
Wheaton boys basketball took a giant step forward last year finishing 13-13 overall. The program had won 15 total games in the previous six seasons combined. This year, the Bulldogs will look to post the program’s first finish above .500 since 2012. That was also the last time Wheaton won a district title.
Seniors Jack Mitchell and Zac Leverich along with junior Kelton Park will be team leaders this year.
Mitchell was named second-team all-conference last year after he averaged 11.1 points and 6 rebounds per game.
“(Jack is a) natural leader who has started since his freshman year,” head coach Joe Cavness said. (He has a) great work ethic and takes a lot of pride in his defense.”
Leverich averaged 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 apg last year.
“(He) has been quiet in the past, but has really become a vocal leader,” Cavness said. “He’s good with the ball and seeks the ball when the game is on the line.”
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS
Park contributed 9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
“(He has a) great basketball IQ and sees the floor well,” Cavness said. “He can score but will give up the good shot to give someone else a great shot.”
Senior center Chad Meyer also earned all-conference honors last year. He was named to the honorable mention team after he scored 11.5 points per game and pulled down 7.7 rebounds per game.
Senior forwards Ty Hudson and Brody Prewitt also return for Wheaton. Prewitt averaged 4.8 ppg and Hudson chipped in 1.9 ppg.
“Ty will fight for a starting spot and is always great defensively. He takes pride in winning the loose ball and will step in and hit big shots when needed,” Cavness said. “Brody does a great job seeing the floor and keeping the offense flowing. Defensively, his lanky frame and wingspan causes problems for other teams.”
Junior center Grant Bradford, sophomore guard Trenton Imel and freshman forward Wyatt Gorman are newcomers to watch for Wheaton.
“Trenton was 100% JV last season but could possibly earn some minutes this season due to his aggressive approach when he touches the ball. With a few tweaks, he will come off the bench and give some quality minutes for us. Grant has improved over the last two years as a JV player and will see time on the floor to help us inside. His big body and aggressiveness will help us win rebounds,” Cavness said. “Wyatt is versatile and athletic. He could give us a boost when we need it. He has great basketball IQ. This guy will be big for us down the road, but I think could easily have a big freshman season.”
Depth will be a strength for this team.
“For the second year in a row, my team is deep. It allows us to do a lot of things and take some risks,” Cavness said. “We work hard to make the little things a priority. Also, we love to move the ball around. It isn’t a rarity to see three guys in double digits. We haven’t scored a lot in the past, and we don’t have one person that is a dominant scorer, but we pride ourselves in that and trust in our defense and hustle to help us get easy baskets on the other end.”
Wheaton opens the season Nov. 21-25 at the Verona Tournament.
