Centre boys deep and tested

Returning three starters as well as three who gained varsity experience with last year?s 8-13 team, the Centre High School boys? basketball team has a mixture of experience and depth in coach Greg Wyatt?s third year as coach.

Including 22 years of coaching girls? basketball, Wyatt?s career record stands at 419-198. So when he says the Cougars ?should be considered one of the front runners to possibly win the (Eisenhower) league,? it comes with credibility.

But it also comes as no surprise to those who believe success in football is a predictor of success in basketball.

Wyatt has a roster of 25 that includes 14 upperclassmen with which to fill his varsity bench. But he won?t have to look far to find his top player: Trevor Troutt averaged 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a junior, and the 6-foot, 4-inch senior will be gunning for a double-double average again this season.

Troutt will be flanked by two juniors: Brian Burhoop (6-2) and Tanner Brunner (6-1). Brunner averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds, while Burhoop averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds.

The other three returners are 6-1 senior Alex Hajek, 6-1 junior Tyler Klenda and 5-8 junior Rustyn Kerbs.

?We should be a pretty athletic team that could have some depth at different positions,? Wyatt said. ?Two of our strengths should be experience and depth.?

Wyatt noted that Wakefield and Elyria Christian will also have strong teams.

Centre begins its season Friday against Southeast of Saline. The following week, the Cougars will compete in the preseason tournament at nearby Herington.

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