By Chris Parker
Shane Persoon takes over as head coach of the Laquey boys basketball program this year. He inherits a program coming off a seven-win season with nine seniors on the roster.
“We have nine seniors on our roster who have contributed at the varsity level for several seasons,” Persoon said. “Their experience will be very valuable to the underclassmen.”
Sam Swihart, Hayden Alley, Gauge Fleschute, J.D. Bowling, Wyatt Horner, Brock Denny and Perry Reid are seven of those seniors.
Fleschute led that group in scoring and rebounding last year with 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game along with 2.3 assists and 2 steals per game. He was named first-team all-conference for his efforts.
Swihart (6.5 points, 6.7 rebounds per game) and J.D. Bowling (6.1 ppg) were the second and third leading scorers in that group.
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Mason Shaw is back for his senior season after missing his junior year due to injury.
Juniors Donivan Mathis and Landyn Nadermann return after leading Laquey in three-point shooting last year. Mathis is the team’s second-leading returning scorer at 7.7 points per game. Sophomore Kalen Elliot averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game and returns this season.
“Our biggest strength this year will be our quickness,” Persoon said. “In order to find success this year we will have to improve our ability to move the ball and create opportunities for our teammates.”
Laquey opens the season on Nov. 22 at home against Tuscumbia.
“Our identity and reputation needs to be that we play hard every game, every possession,” Persoon said.
