Local teams eager to compete in revamped CWC-East

Following the graduation of nine of last year’s 16 all-conference selections, the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division will have plenty of new faces on the court this winter.

While Bonduel graduated a senior from the second team all-conference, it also has plenty of reason for optimism heading into the season with several other experienced players returning to the fold.

“We have a lot of confidence going into this season with the returning players we do have,” said senior Parker Bohm, an honorable mention pick last year. “The guys we have love to compete.”

Bohm, along with senior Jared Wondra and junior Cole Letter, all started for the Bears last year, when the team went 4-8 to place fifth in conference, and again figure to serve big roles this winter.

Seniors Isaac Garside and Canaan Szoszorek also should see plenty of time on the court while seniors Brooks Dehn, Aaron Margelofsky and Colin Ewing also have some varsity experience.

Juniors Dylan Burch, Isaac Boldt, Dylan Springborn and Justin Bahr also could carve out roles for coach Duke Copp, who is excited for the season to get rolling.

“We should be able to shoot the ball very well this season and our defense should be much improved,” Copp said. “As long as we stay healthy we should be able to compete with anyone.”

The Bears also believe they can compete for a conference crown alongside the likes of Iola-Scandinavia and Shiocton, which finished second and third, respectively, last year and return lots of talented players.

“We expect ourselves to get better each and every day and to be a threat in the conference,” Letter said. “We know our conference is tough and is returning a lot of talent, but we know what we have on our roster and that we can compete.”

“We embrace competition and love playing talented teams,” Letter added. “I believe we are going to be playing our best basketball when we need — we improve each and every day and are quick learners. I’m really excited to see what this group can and will do.”

A CWC-East team that will need to do a little more rebuilding is Wittenberg-Birnamwood, which will need to replace eight graduated seniors.

Senior Kody Szews is the only returning starter and all-conference player from last year while seniors Ethan Wesolowski and Shane Herb are the only other Chargers with quality varsity experience under their belts.

Witt-Birn will also be under the direction of new coach Garrett Rogowski, who served as the junior varsity coach for the past nine years.

Even with so much uncertainty surrounding the team as it gets ready for the season to get underway, Rogowski has first-hand knowledge of the players who will now be tasked with leading the varsity team.

“Although varsity experience is limited, we will have a number of players coming off a successful 20 win and 1 loss 2017-18 junior varsity season that will look to contribute,” he said. “Depth at most every position will be a strength, while working to build team chemistry will continue to be a major focus early in the season.”

Menominee Indian heads into the season minus standout Warren Wilber, a first team all-conference selection last year, but does return significant varsity experience that coach James Oshkeshequoam is excited to watch.

“My expectations are for this team to be more competitive in conference play,” he said. “We have a more experience than we have had in previous years, so this can be an advantage to take care of heading into the season, conference play, and the WIAA playoffs.”

Junior guards Raymond Fish and Norman Kakwitch each started for the Eagles a season ago while seniors Anthony Corn, Kyle Lyons, Mequan Corn Jr. and Richard Wayka and juniors Menom Powless also have varsity experience.

Menominee Indian is hoping to improve upon a 1-11 conference record and 9-14 mark overall from a season ago.

After opening practice on Nov. 12 and then taking part in scrimmages, boys basketball teams can open the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 20.