By Chris Parker
Miller boys basketball won 10 games last year in the first season under new head coach Brandon Weiss. It was a two-win improvement over the year prior. Now, the Cardinals will look to take a big step forward in Year Two of the Brandon Weiss era.
“The biggest difference from last year to this year is familiarity throughout the high school program,” Weiss said. “The athletes have a feel of what we want to accomplish as a team and individuals. The style of play on both end of the floor should resemble what we are looking for.”
Owen Weiss earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman for Miller. He will again run the point this season.
“Owen has been dedicated to the game of basketball. He was practically born with a ball in his hand. As a coach’s son he has been around the game all of his life. He has a high IQ. Playing basketball for Yander’s Law helped him to take on area talent. On any given night of travel basketball, he might have to guard or play against a kid that is 6’5,” Coach Weiss said. “Owen has really worked on scoring from all three levels of the floor. He spent the offseason hitting the weight room and working on his body.”
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Owen Weiss scored 11 points per game to go with 2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2 steals.
Jarod Lung (junior guard), Nate Hill (junior guard), Paul Nunez (sophomore guard), John Snider (senior guard/forward) and Colton Brown (junior guard/forward) also return for Miller.
Weiss on Lung: “Jarod is a two-year starter and will contribute at both ends of the floor. He is a leader for us. We are looking for him to take the ball up the floor this year. He has the ability to hit 3’s and be one of our leading scorers. He has a high IQ.”
Weiss on Hill: “Like Jarod, he (Hill) is a second-year starter. He is long and athletic. His ability to attack the basket gives an opportunity to hit open 3s. Nate is one of our top defenders. He will guard the other team’s best player.”
Weiss on Nunez: “He will contend for a starting position. He is an athletic guard that can handle the ball and shoot the open 3. He is a hardnosed kid that will definitely add to defensive end of the floor.”
Weiss on Snider: “He is another athletic kid that will really add to the defensive end of the floor. He will have to play multiple positions for us on both end of the floor.”
Weiss on Brown: “Started to get playing time towards the of the year. He is a tough nosed kid that will play extremely hard. He has the ability to shoot the open three.”
Lung led that group in scoring with 7.5 points per game. Hill was just behind him at 4.9 ppg.
Jaxon Fris (senior forward) and Deacon Fris (sophomore guard) will be newcomers after transferring in from Aurora. Brodie Rinker (junior forward), Jaylen Madsen (freshman guard) and Bodie Gubser (senior forward) will all look to make a varsity impact as well.
“This year will have more kids with the ability to play,” Weiss said. “On any given night, we could have several kids that will fill into bigger roles.”
Miller opens the regular season on Nov. 17 at Hollister.
