Navigation

Sevastopol Boys Basketball Preview

by Justin Skiba

 The Sevastopol Pioneers boys basketball team aims to lean on senior leadership for the 2015-16 season. Coming off of a 3-19 regular season record (0-14 conference) with a loss in the opening round of the WIAA playoffs, third-year head coach Andy Symons looks to use experience and senior leadership as a way to garner more wins for the upcoming season.

“Our program brings back a lot of experience, which should help produce more victories,” Symons said.

Symons and Brian Mosgollar, former teammates and Sevastopol graduates in 2005 and 2006 respectively, enter their third year together as the duo of coaches that hope to generate success this season for the Pioneers. Mosgollar serves as the Pioneers’ junior varsity coach as well as varsity assistant.

The Pioneers retain their talent from their 2014-15 campaign; not losing any seniors to graduation. Instead, the Pioneers will return their starting lineup that will consist of four seniors, which brings valuable playing experience.

“(The) kids have put a lot of time in the gym and the weight room during the offseason to prepare themselves for a successful season,” Symons said.

Senior captain and guard/forward, Matt Newman, will lead the Pioneers. According to Symons, Newman is an “all-around player” who has put in a lot of time in the gym during the offseason and will contribute as a top scorer for the Pioneers. He will be joined by fellow senior captains, Quin Schram and Dylon Iverson, playing forward and center respectively. Both move from the gridiron to the court after a successful football season, both earning first team all-conference honors during the fall season.

“Quin is a competitor who knows how to put the ball in the basket,” Symons said. “Dylon is a physical, ‘blue-collar’ player who does the dirty work inside the paint.”

The Pioneers fourth and final captain, junior Jared Pflieger, will work as the team’s point guard this season.

“Jared is our floor general…his job will be to direct the offense, protect the ball, and make smart decisions,” Symons said.

Junior guard, Hunter Ebel, also looks to break into the starting lineup for the Pioneers. Symons credits Ebel’s outside shooting threat as insurance for the Pioneers, who bring more depth than last season. Junior forward, Alex Differt, will also play a significant role in the Pioneers’ season with Symons noting his strong defense and rebounding ability.

Symons plans to have between 9-11 players on varsity out of the 19 total players in the high school program, which will include a varsity and junior varsity team. He feels that his team will be successful if they can “protect the ball, play clean defense, and limit second chance efforts for opponents with strong rebounding efforts.”

Symons exclaimed that he is “very excited for the season!”

 

Justin Skiba is head football coach for the Sevastopol Pioneers.

Article Comments