19-20 First Look: St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More was considered a top three team for most of the 2018-19 season and they won the Class A consolation prize. What about 2019-20? Moving On: St. Thomas More losses no starters but they do lose a pair…
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Continue ReadingSt. Thomas More was considered a top three team for most of the 2018-19 season and they won the Class A consolation prize. What about 2019-20?
Moving On: St. Thomas More losses no starters but they do lose a pair of bench players. Six-foot-7 Michael Eastmo was the 6th man coming off the bench to board, block shots, and finish 2-3 shots a game around the rim. When the Cavaliers went to a third player off the bench (they played seven guys mainly late in the year) it was senior Carter Janssen who supplied some shooting. Janssen also graduated (one of three players from last year that graduated).
Returning Starters: When a 20-win team returns five starters they instantly qualify as a state title contender the following season. When you talk St. Thomas More the first name that comes to mind is Ryder Kirsch, the 6-foot-6/6-foot-7 forward that was a regular double-double threat scoring 16/17 a game last year. Kirsch is currently playing quarterback (he threw seven touchdown passes last week with 319 yards passing) showing off his dual-sport abilities but come winter he will be working for Class A MVP honors and a state title.
Most overlooked player in Class A basketball entering the winter? Guard Caden Casey, the Cavaliers leading scorer last year who returns as a three point weapon. Over half of the Casey attempts came at the arc last year and he had the space to hammer teams when he heated up. Also back for St. Thomas More is 6-foot-3 junior forward Ryan Wojcik, a high energy player that finishes a high percentage of his shots and grabs seven boards a game (averaged ten points a game). Six-foot-3 Connor Hollenbeck gave the team seven points a game as a junior while guard 5-foot-11 guard Michael Glyten put up six points a contest. Connor and Michael are seniors that gave STM five starters that could average double figures or close to it.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Senior guard Grant Huber will have the 6th man role and if any player is out with illness, discipline, or injury, Huber can slide right in as an experienced guard. Fellow senior Jarek Glenn, a 5-foot-8 guard, was the 9th man last season and will add depth.
Potentials from the JV: Fighting Glenn and others for reserve time will be Caleb Hollenbeck, a freshman that played JV a year ago and should/could earn his way into the rotation. The junior class that has come up with Wojcik could start to supply depth as well. Ben Feist, Jack Green and Charlie Larson are forwards that will fight for a reserve spot up front. Keep eyes on freshman Easton Ogle as well.