Boys Basketball: Bonduel turning to new leaders

BONDUEL — The Bonduel High School boys basketball will be turning to a new cast of players this winter as it gets its season underway.

The Bears, who are coached by Duke Copp, are coming off a 14-9 season and an 8-4 run through the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division, but have to replace several players from that team. Parker Bohm, the reigning player of the year in the CWC-East, is among those players.

Leading the team on the floor this winter will be Cole Letter. The senior made the honorable mention list last year, and has plenty of experience as he’s started for the team since he was a freshman.

“We know we are young and a tad bit inexperienced, but we like having that underdog mentality and we look forward to proving we can play with many teams,” said Letter. “Our goal is as always, win games week in and week out and progress to our peak point for playoff time.”

Copp is hoping that seniors Dylan Springborn, Justin Bahr, Dylan Burch and Brody Wussow can take on larger roles. Juniors Carson Robaidek and Garrett Engel will also have the opportunity to contribute to the team.

Despite all the change from last season, Copp is still optimistic with the group he has.

“Our team chemistry is really good right now and could help carry us to a successful season. We have some kids who have spent a lot of time in the gym so we are hopeful we shoot the ball well this year,” said Copp.

Bonduel is set to open the regular season on Dec. 3 at Green Bay West.

Clintonville

The Clintonville boys enter the season in a similar situation, needing several new players to step up after the graduation of some key players to last year’s team.

The Truckers went 10-14 last season under first-year coach Ryan Mattson, going 6-12 in the North Eastern Conference. Mattson returns, but he has just two starters back.

One of those players is senior Aiden Polzin, who made the NEC honorable mention team last year. Senior Presley Rosenow is the other starter back.

Senior Dylan Danforth and juniors Nathan Morse and Cam Mauel also return.

“We need to play as a team, and we all have roles and we need to fulfill them,” said Polzin. “We definitely have the skills and talents and we just need to use it right. Another big thing is defense. If we play defense good, the offense will come easy and we will be a successful team.

Clintonville opens the season on Tuesday at Shiocton. The Truckers will play their first home game on Dec. 3 against Shawano.

“We have set very high goals for ourselves,” said Mattson. “We will be a fun team to watch as we will pick up tempo this year. We have a solid nucleus of players with some hopeful prospects. Like many teams, we are still looking for a leader to step forward to bring us more together.”

Marion

Marion also enters the year under the direction of a second-year coach, Dave Roe. The coach has high hopes for the team, with four starters back from last year’s team that went 9-14 overall and 5-7 in the CWC-North.

Leading the Mustangs will be junior Branden Beechy, an honorable mention pick in the CWC-North last year. Seniors Jared Krueger, Ethan Tischauser and Cody Clegg are the other three starters back.

Senior McGregor Matz and sophomore Ethan Scheef also return with varsity experience.

“With the guys having success last year and with many of them being seniors this year, they are hungry to try to leave their mark on this program,” said Roe. “I know we have eyes on trying to end our 52-year conference title drought, but we have to take it one game at a time. The potential to do something special this year is there, if we can play together and stay focused and healthy.”

Marion will open its season on Dec. 3 at home against Stockbridge.

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