Class AAA Title Contender Series: Byron

Byron returns a full group of starters including one of the state’s top senior lead guards and a nationally ranked junior big.  Big expectations in Byron! Key Wins in 19-20 (16-12):   Simley, Blake, Jordan, Mankato West, St. Peter, Cristo Rey, Chanhassen, K-M Oops: PEM, Stewartville, Caledonia, Lourdes, Goodhue, Austin, Lake City, Cannon Falls Moving On:  Byron had one senior on the roster last season and that was Carter.  Wilde was a deep bench reserve who normally wasn’t in the rotation.  Returning Starters: Byron has five starters back and they are: 6’1 senior guard Jake Braaten, 5’8 senior guard Tyler UnderwoodTylerUnderwood5'8" | PGByron | 2021MN, 6’3 junior forward Jaxon MarineJaxonMarine6'4" | SFByron | 2022StateMN, 6’1 junior guard Trent DeCookTrentDeCook6'1" | SGByron | 2022StateMN, and 6’9 junior forward Ahjany LeeAhjanyLee6'9" | PFByron | 2022StateMN. Braaten is one of the toughest, smartest seniors in the state coming off a 17 point per game season.  Braaten shoots a high percentage on the one end and then defends consistently the other way.  Up front you’ve heard about the rapidly progressing Ahjany LeeAhjanyLee6'9" | PFByron | 2022StateMN who is now a nationally ranked big man prospect.  Lee averaged eight points, nine rebounds, and four blocks last year and that was in his first varsity experience when he was raw.  Now Lee moves into a position of being a big number terror around the rim.  Marine should be stepping into a big role as he matures as an all around athlete. Marine is a strong forward that uses his body well around the rim but he’s also becoming more skilled. He scored three buckets a game a season ago.  DeCook is one of the better athletes on the team as he can attack the rim rapidly for scores and his skills took a big jump a season ago.  Reserves Playing a Bigger Role:  The second leading scorer last year was 6-foot-2 now senior Easton HulkeEastonHulke6'2" | SGByron | 2021StateMN. Hulke may have been a starter but in looking back at the couple videos I checked on it looks like he came off the bench, at least in these games.  Hulke scored 9-10 points a contest plus he’s one of the better rebounding wings you will see.  Hulke is active off the ball and going at the rim he’s a high percentage finisher that defenders have trouble contesting.   The rest of the bench returns as well and that includes 5’10 senior guard Travis Underwood, 6’5 senior big Matt Miller, and 5’10 sophomore guard Isaac DearbornIsaacDearborn5'9" | PGByron | 2023StateMN.  Each of these players scored at least twice a game on average a season ago and each will return playing a similar role.  Miller’s size is crucial to play with or replace Ahjany LeeAhjanyLee6'9" | PFByron | 2022StateMN while Dearborn is a point guard that is trusted at an early age.  He’s the one underclassmen returning into this veteran group of nine returning rotation players.   Potentials from the JV:   Moving from the JV to the varsity will be tough this year considering the entire rotation is back.  There won’t be much for spots to work into but here are a few names to know in case of injury or a player taking big steps forward (all are seniors): 6’0 guard Ryan Hough, 6’3 forward Nolan SeabergNolanSeaberg6'3" | SFByron | 2021MN, and 6’0 guard Titus Knutson.  Final Thoughts: Because Byron is from the outstate and because they lost a dozen games last season I think people may be overlooking what they could do.  In fact, when you compare talent with Austin, the Bears have more experience, size, and top players (Braaten and Lee will be the best players in the game).  But can Byron unseat the well coached Packers who are so used to success?  That’s the thing here, Byron has to learn how to be a contender where as the Austin players have watched or been a part of success for years.  Braaten and Lee are a special pair.