By Chris Parker
Verona boys basketball won 17 games last year and finished district runner-up. The Wildcats have several key players returning this year but must replace the production of Jaiden Carrasquillo. Carrasquillo was named Class 2 All-State and Ozark 7 Conference Player of the Year as a senior.
A pair of seniors will be leaders for Verona in Westin Shrum and Isaac Alvarado.
“Westin is very vocal and competitive. Isaac is excellent at bonding our team together and a great team player. Westin is an excellent shooter and Isaac is one of the quickest guards in the area,” said Verona head coach Brad Stewart. “Both will be expected to bring pressure defense to our opponents each and every night.”
Shrum scored 4 points per game with 1.5 assists. Alvarado added in 2.8 points per game with 2 steals per game. Those two along with Andrew Martinez shared playing time at two-guard last season. Martinez averaged 3.2 points per game with 1.8 rebounds. Stewart expects all of their numbers to jump this year with at least double the amount of minutes on the court.
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Junior Jacob Stellwagen is the lone returning all-conference player. He poured in 17.6 points per game while leading the team with 7.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Stellwagen was named second-team all-conference.
Sophomore Jessy Gamel and junior Sam Pinkley also return for Verona.
Jack Amaya (sophomore) and Sean Lechner (freshman) will look to carve out time in the varsity rotation.
However the rotation shakes out, Verona will have plenty of players who can get a basket.
“We should have six players who are capable of scoring from both inside and outside,” Stewart said.
Verona opens the season Nov. 19-23 with its home tournament.
“I would like us to be known for our character, competitiveness and teamwork,” Stewart said. “Pressure defense and up-tempo should be the style of play that suits this group best.”
