2011-12 Men's Basketball Team Outlook

The 2011-12 Skyhawk Men’s Basketball team has set high goals for the upcoming season. With six of their top ten players returning from last year’s team, the Skyhawks feel this is the year. The six sophomores; bookend 6’7” forwards Matt Ross and Ryne Vrana, small forwards Stanley Moore and Connor Lincoln, and offensive guards Michael Mann and Cody Behrens will be the core of this year’s Sauk Valley team. “It’s been a few years since we have had this number of quality returning players,” states Damhoff. “Our 2, 3, and 4 positions will be our strength and how good we can really be will depend on our young points and bigs.” Three freshmen and one transfer will compete for the point guard position and each has their strengths. The four guards are Drew Pace (Sterling High School), Jimmy Stamas (Lyons High school), Dillon Prowant (West Carroll), and Adalberto Garcia who played at North Country C.C. in New York last year.

The center spot also has three new players competing for playing time; they are Nate Law (West Carroll), Kody Michael (Forreston High School), and Daven Ottley from St. Clair Dacon High School in the British Virgin Islands. “The development of our five is important because it will determine how much we can get Matt Ross and Ryne Vrana out to the three and four positions which would be key to our rebounding and defense, not to mention, we need both of those players on the floor at the same time on the offensive end as well,” states Coach Damhoff. Last year, Matt Ross led the Skyhawks in rebounding (8.6) and was second in scoring (11.5) while Ryne Vrana was third in rebounds (5.2) and averaged 5.8 points per game while both were playing the five position. The Skyhawks need both of them on the floor at the same time this year to take advantage of both their offensive and defensive skills and to offset the loss of All-Conference player Dustin Fritsch, last year’s leading scorer (13.3) and second leading rebounder (6.1). “Most years it would be a big problem to lose someone like Dustin and he will be hard to replace, but Matt and Ryne have that type of ability. Ryne especially played out of position last year at the five so to get him to the four spot will really help him use his skills.”

The wing position is also strong with returners Stanley Moore and Connor Lincoln, who both contributed heavily last year, along with first year players Jalen Jones (St. Joseph’s Kenosha) and Mario Witherspoon from Dixon. “Stan has the potential to be our best defensive player and was fourth leading scorer (10.5) last year and Connor is an athletic shooter; they both need to play to their strengths for us to be strong on the wing.” The guard-wing position is also strong with returning starter Michael Mann (Winnebago), red shirt freshman Cody Behrens (Newman), and Byron recruit Matt Groharing with push both. “Just like Stan and Connor at the three, Michael Mann is an outstanding defensive player and Cody is an outstanding three-point shooter,” observes Damhoff. Teams will also not want to overlook Mann on the offensive end where he was the Skyhawk’s second leading 3 point shooter with 36 three-pointers last year.

It should be an exciting season for the Skyhawks the year with the ability to win against whoever they play. The Skyhawks look to challenge for the Conference title and with the Region IV Tournament again at Sauk Valley this year, you might want to keep March 3^rd, 7^th, and 10^th (and the 13^th) open!