By Chris Parker
McAuley Catholic boys basketball returns six players who saw action in a majority of the team’s games for last season’s 7-21 team.
That experience will be key for the Warriors entering Tony Witt’s third season as head coach.
“We have eight letterwinners coming back, as well as two seniors rejoining the team after sitting their junior year out,” Witt said. “Out of the eight letterwinners, six started last year in some capacity. And below our top eight, we have seven or eight players not mentioned that could see time as well depending on how quickly they develop. Our practices should be extremely competitive; every day will be an audition to earn time.”
The leaders of the roster will be Noah Black (senior), Joe Staton (senior), Rocco Bazzano-Joseph (junior) and Michael Parrigon (sophomore).
Black was honorable mention all-conference and all-district last year. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
“He is a good shooter and has a scorer’s mentality,” Witt said. “We will need him to be more of a threat this year on both ends of the floor.”
Staton scored 2.7 points per game as a junior.
“Joe Staton is a tough nosed perimeter defender and will guard most teams best offensive player,” Witt said. “He is an experienced guard with a motor that won’t stop.”
Bazzano-Joseph is the team’s second leading returning scorer coming off a season where he averaged 6.9 points per game across 19 contests.
“(He) is a good shooter and will need his scoring presence,” Witt said. “We will need him to take on bigger roles on both ends of the floor.”
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Parrigon was just behind Bazzano-Joseph in scoring at 6.2 ppg with 3.7 rebounds and 2. 6 assists per game.
“Michael Parrigon had a great freshman year and gained valuable experience running the point for us,” Witt said. “We will look for him to build off last year and be an impact player on both ends of the floor.”
Junior Bradley Wagner and Kable Reichardt also return.
“Bradley Wagner was our best rebounder last season. We will need him to be a expand his game and his presence inside for us this season,” Witt said. “Kable Reichardt can play multiple positions offensively and defensively. He gave us good minutes towards the end of last year. With his versatility, we will look for him to be our sixth man this year.”
Seniors Jack Jones and Trey Martinez return to the team after not playing as juniors.
“Jack Jones is an athletic wing who can play multiple positions. He will provide energy for us wherever we need him,” Witt said. “Trey Martinez is a strong post defender who will give us depth inside.”
Witt is looking for his team to put four quarters together each and every night.
“We cannot have bad quarters. We lost five games by a total of 16 points last year due to a bad quarter,” Witt said. “We must have cleaner play and cannot give opponents extra possessions and expect to win. We must shoot better from the free throw line and cannot leave points on the floor. We must be better defensively from top to bottom. Our rotations, communication, and rebounding all must get better. If we can clean up these areas, keep our heads on straight, and can stay healthy, we could have a special season.”
McAuley Catholic opens the season on Nov. 22 at home against Liberal.
“I expect us to be better at the start of this season than we were at the end of last season and to hopefully be playing our best basketball at the end of the year,” Witt said. “The conference will be balanced and tough this year, as it is most years, so we will have to play well to have a chance at a conference championship as well as making a run come district time.”
