The Rotation: Clark/Willow Lake
Clark/Willow Lake was a 20 game winner in 2017-18 as well as the Class B State Tournament Runner-up. What’s next for the encore?
Must Be Replaced: Bradyn Rusher, Ntai Stevens
Bradyn Rusher and Ntai Stevens were the veteran wings on last year’s team. Rusher was the second leading scorer with Stevens supplying the consistency that a good veteran does. Rusher scored 14-15 a contest last year and his scoring production on the wing needs to be replaced. What Stevens provides also needs to be replaced.
Returning Starters: Micah Burke, Jacob Prouty
Wings have to step up but the Cyclones are in a great spot both in the post and making the decisions in the backcourt. Jacob Prouty is a special player. Not only did he score 20 a game but he calls a lot of the plays, has experience of multiple state tournaments, and can do play many roles for the team. Then on the inside Burke stands 6-foot-6 and put up a dozen points a night last season. Prouty and Burke are about to score 40-45 a night and while it will come in different combos this winter the numbers will come.
Stepping into Bigger Roles: Stone Burke, Sho Sunagawa, Grayson Florey, Kaelig Manach.
So who is going to fill those roles on the wing? Sho Sunagawa and Grayson Florey will have much bigger roles. Even though both are a few inches under six feet they are experienced players on a state runner-up team. Stone Burke is a 6-foot-4 big that will play next to Micah up front so the Cyclones will again have size that many won’t be able to deal with. Kaelig Manach is a 6-foot-1 who has the size and experience from last season to be what this team needs.
Future. Joseph Streff
Another player that could help the Cyclones at wing is Joseph Streff, the other sophomore from Clark/Willow Lake. He’s another 5-foot-10 guard that should add depth in the backcourt.