Season Preview

Now that we have the the teams laid out, what can we expect for the season?  Let's start with the boys.  The boys finished last season 15-5 upon entering playoffs as the third seed.  In the first round, they beat fourteenth seed Oxbow 50-37 and then lost to eleventh seed Windsor in the quarterfinals 65-60.  After the loss of many key players, where does the team stand now?

Although there were many crucial leaders on the team who have departed, including Brandon Reilly, Bobby Culver, Caleb Bristol and Chris Lasch who all brought much talent and leadership to the table, it is now up to the new generation of players to step up.

There are two players in particular that I have in mind - Michael Bergeron and Billy Nupp.  Both veterans have been on the team for two years now and I think they have the potential to lead this team.  Both are dependable, reputable people who have the ability to direct the flow of play; Nupp on offense and Bergeron on defense. 

The team also has a few prospects I think we'll hear more of as well.  One is Drew Barnum, who spent most of the previous season sidelined due to injury.  When he could play, Barnum was no less than a magician.  He could drive his way through a group of three or four defenders and still manage to find his way to the rim.  His immense height and aggression will surely benefit down low on both offense and defense. 

Another is Riley Kenney.   Kenney is the epitome of  "the little engine that could."  After getting cut his freshman year and being told he wasn't good enough to play, Kenney bounced back his sophomore year to start on JV.  Although he did not start on varsity the following year, he was one of former coach Davis' first picks off  the pine.  According to his exponential improvement, I think we're going to see some special things from Kenney this season.  He has the drive and intellectual qualities that will make him a great leader for the team.  I would not be surprised to see him start as point guard or even inherit captaincy along the road.

Andy Brown is another guy to be looking out for the season.  Almost identical to Kenney, Brown was cut his freshman year yet bounced back his sophomore year to dominate on JV.  Midway through his junior year he was pulled up to fill a void on the varsity roster and ended up getting some decent playing time.  Brown is a serious prospect on this year's team and, like Kenney, is a guy we will be seeing great things from.  His powerful build and humble personality will certainly be a key advantage to the Rebels offense. 

Kevin Ke, from Shanghai, is also impressive from what I've heard.  Although his last name is just two letters, it'll be one remembered for a long time.  Ke has the natural skill of athleticism the team needs to succeed this year and may very well be the starting point guard.

Lastly we have Jake Sherman who left the team last year to focus on his grades.  Sherman, with the right mind set, can do anything.  This kid is probably one of the most naturally athletic people at Leland and Gray and has the potential to do great things this season.  Mark my words, this will be the first Rebel we see dunk.

Moreover, the boys indeed have a chance to have another great season.  Although the competition up north will continue to be as strong as its ever been, I think the Rebels will be able to compete with the group they've got right here.  Their first scrimmage is this Saturday, December 1 away against Brattleboro High School at 1:00.

As for the girls, their season seems a little more ambiguous.  Based on the fact that last year marked the departure of only three players, it's hard to predict any sort of notable change in the momentum of the team.  Last year, the girls finished the season with a 9-10 record to become the eleventh seed.  They lost during the first round to sixth seed Rivendell 61-33.

To further analyze on the departing players, we have three girls that were big attributes to the team in different ways.  First he have Maike Kollner who was an excellent, aggressive defender. She was so good at stealing that even Bonnie and Clyde would've been impressed by her talent.  Then we have Sam Russ who was probably the fastest girl I've ever seen in my life.  She seemed to always be sprinting as fast as she could no matter the situation.  And last but certainly not least we have Callie Ginter, point guard and captain of the team.  Ginter  demonstrated phenomenal leadership respected by all of her teammates and was known for her killer three-point shot.

Although three great players have left the team, three new ones join in Jordan Gouger, Natalia Coelho and Abby Winrich.  But the real story is not about the new players so much as it is the old ones.  No, the future of this season lies in the hands of captains Ashley Goddard, Alex Morrow and Chelby Nystrom.  These girls were chosen to be captains for a reason - not only because of their talent, but because of their leadership.

Goddard is possibly on track to being the first ever girl to reach 1000 points in Leland and Gray history, the most prestigious achievement in high school basketball.  She has been one of the most dominant players on the team ever since she joined in 2009-2010 and plays the game the right way.  She is a great model for the younger players to look up to; modest, selfless, sportsmanlike, and dedicated.

Nystrom also possesses qualities that express her leadership.  She is an authoritative figure who dictates the court with her loud voice.  Nystrom is also a great ball handler and speedster which makes me inclined to predict that she will be the team's new starting point guard.

Two big prospects in the girls organization include Haley Buffum and Natalia Coelho.  Buffum has proved herself to be the next big star from playing on varsity the previous year.  Learning to play forward under the wing of Goddard can be intimidating for anyone but Buffum has proved that she can handle the heat.  That being said, Buffum will go on to shine over the rest of her remaining years, possibly en route for the 1000-point banner as well.

Coelho on the other hand is less predictable than Buffum based on her two-year absence from basketball.  But Coelho is a natural athlete who would not have made the team if she was anything short of good.  I expect to see her grow and develop over the year and evolve into an excellent ball player.   

To tie back into my prediction, I think that based on the talent coming up this year the girls have no reason to finish anything below .500.  Their defense from what I've seen has been good in recent years.  Whatever Coach Morrow's doing in regards to that is working well.  But in my opinion, the real focus for this year needs to be on offense.  Last season, the girls averaged 41 points per game over a span of twenty-one games.  To become the elite team that we all know is very much possible, their offense needs to come together and find a groove that they can maintain the rest of the season.

Their first game of the season is home against West Rutland on December 10.