19-20 First Look: Mankato East
The Cougars won the Big Nine a year ago and earned a 24-5 record. They were the best Class AAA team that didn’t make the state tournament but are now ready for a run this winter. Moving On: The lone…
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Continue ReadingThe Cougars won the Big Nine a year ago and earned a 24-5 record. They were the best Class AAA team that didn’t make the state tournament but are now ready for a run this winter.
Moving On: The lone player from the rotation no longer on the Cougars roster is Ryan Kuechle, a tough defender that handled whatever role was asked of him. Ryan is now at St. Cloud State playing football and he will need to be replaced because he scored three times a game but more importantly defended whatever she was asked to with strong results. Jake Prybylla was a reserve that also graduated.
Returning Starters: The senior backcourt of Joich Gong and Jax Madson returns for one more run, the crafty Jordan Merseth is up front for another year, and junior Pal Kueth is starting to position himself as a top junior. Madson handled the ball and scored 20 plus while Gong also handled the duel guard role while scoring 15 a contest. Kueth, a 6-foot-4 wing, was a 14 point per game game as a sophomore, and Merseth scored a dozen points with his face-up game. The talent is there for a run to the state semis and maybe the state championship game.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: The name coming up is BJ Omot, a 6-foot-3 sophomore guard with a ton of potential. Not sure if Omot will start, that depends on how the roles fit but the talent for him to make an impact is certainly there. Inside, 210 pound Riley Gruenes is now a junior and should be able to help the inside role even more this winter. Also, Grant Hermer can help coming off the bench.
Potentials from the JV: Another player with size that could help the Cougars is Lero Oman, a 6-foot-4 now senior. Sophmore Jack Pemble could also find a role as could now juniors Zak Glade and Mal Deng.