2010-11 Boys’ Basketball Preview

The youth movement has begun.
When head boys’ basketball coach Shawn Hair talks about the upcoming basketball season, it’s hard not to notice the excitement in his voice as he discusses the recent infusion of talent the program has received from its sophomore class. Two starters return to the team — sophomores Vance Wentz and Zach Schneider —and one other second year player, sophomore Chase Hanna, will play major minutes this season.
Hair says that the class of 2013 has the potential to be the strongest class of players he’s had since JD Christie, Garrett Webb and Will Gates wore the Columbia blue, black and white in 2006. Besides the three headliners, the class also includes JV players like Billy Sutherland, Connor Rellihan and Connor McGannon. Hair is certainly taking advantage of this talent, and he’s now using the sophomore team in his JV/Varsity practices to raise the intensity level.
But it isn’t just the sophomores that Hair is amped about. He says that this year’s team is ultra-competitive in practice, which causes each of the three teams to raise their intensity level. Unlike last year, the varsity team is having a more difficult time handling the younger teams, which Hair attributes to the intensity of all squads.
Coupled with this youth is an experienced backbone of six returning letterwinners. Junior Andy Hiett and seniors Robby Moriarty, Sean Cameron and George Brophy join Wentz and Schneider on a Lancer team determined to prove the doubters wrong.
“A lot of people don’t think we’ll be very good,” Hair said. “They think we’ll be a little bit better than last year but still not very good. Our kids seriously believe that they have a chance to be a good basketball team.”
In order to become a good basketball team, Hair said the Lancers must accomplish a few things. He’d like to see his post players control the boards and his guards handle the ball. Finally, Hair wants to see his backcourt consistently knock down jumpers, because, as he once told his team, making shots helps “make a hamburger taste like a steak.” It turns a good team into a great one, which is what Hair hopes to see over the next few months. Hair is confident that his young team has the talent to improve into the metaphorical steak. All it needs is some seasoning.

The Starting Five

Andy Hiett
The former Hawklet will be called upon to be the steady hand offensively for the Lancers. Hiett is also a sharpshooter from deep.

Chase Hanna
Hanna is an athletic wing that can light it up from long distance. Hair said the team will need his shots falling in order to pile up the wins.

Vance Wentz
As one of two returning starters, Wentz provides experience to a young team. He can score inside and out, and is a great defender.

Zach Schneider
League freshman of the year last year, Schneider will be the star of this team. Hair compared his versatile game to Dirk Nowitzki.

George Brophy
A 6’3”, 230 pound load in the paint, Brophy will be the reliable rebounder and one of the toughest players on the team.

Games to Watch
@ SM South, Friday-
As the first game of the season, Hair says that this game is a huge opportunity for the Lancers to get the bad taste of last year out of their mouths. The Raiders will attempt to make up for the loss of the graduated Will Spradling with a bevy of three point specialists, including senior Jake Reid and junior Dylan Christie. Hiett and Hanna will have to extend the pressure on defensive end.

Wichita Heights
(@ McPherson, TBA)-This potential matchup at the McPherson Tournament of Champions (Jan. 20-22) would pit the Lancers against the two-time defending state champions. The Falcons boast Perry Ellis, reigning state player of the year and major D1 recruit. Hair said that the Lancers would put Brophy or Cameron on Ellis and encourage him to shoot from deep.

@ Rockhurst, Jan. 28-
After two straight Hawklet wins over the Lancers, the tide has begun to turn in this rivalry. If Hair hopes to regain a stranglehold on bragging rights against his alma mater, he’ll need a big contribution in the paint from Schneider, Cameron and Brophy. The Hawklet frontline includes twin towers Dan Tapko, an OU football commit listed at 6’4”, and Frank Arbanas, listed at 6’5”.