Centre boys return four letter-winners from 8-14 season

CHSboysPB250463.jpg
CHSboysPB250463.jpg

The Centre High School boys? basketball team returns seven players from last year?s 8-14 team: back row (from left) Tanner Brunner, Trevor Troutt, Brian Burhoop; front row, Ben Krause, Konley Harding, James Weber, Kacey Hanschu.

Entering his third year as head coach of the Centre High School boys? basketball team, Cody Schafer will continue to build on the foundation he began to lay during last year?s 8-14 season.

Centre, who went 5-1 in league play, returns three starters: seniors Ben Krause and James Weber and junior Trevor Troutt.

The Cougars also return four letter-winners: seniors Kacey Hanschu and Konley Harding, and sophomores Tanner Brunner and Brian Burhoop.

Led by Troutt (12.3 points per game) and Weber (11 points), the Cougars return more than 40 points per game from last year?s scoring.

Schafer said he sees signs that others are preparing to contribute.

?A couple of seniors have stepped up their game for their last campaign and want to figure into our rotation,? he said.

?Alex Hajek is a 6-foot-1 junior that could figure into our rotation. He is an athletic guard-forward that can get out and run, and help us on the boards,? he said. ?We also have some sophomores who have been having good practices and may push for some playing time.?

But Schafer, who will be assisted by Dustin Burnett this season, is also looking for more from his core players.

?Weber is back at full speed after tearing his ACL halfway through the season last year,? he said. ?He is ready and willing to do whatever he has to so our team can win.?

Troutt will play his second season.

?He had a big season for us after not going out as a freshman,? Schafer said. ?He put up good numbers in his first season and we expect him to produce even more this year.?

Krause will run the point, and should find more room to operate on the perimeter with Weber (6-3) and Troutt (6-4) looming on the low block.

?They will command a lot of attention on the interior, which should give our guards more open looks,? Schafer said. ?Rebounding should be one of our strengths.?

He said that leadership will be another.

?We will have to play under control and limit our turnovers, which is no different than any other year,? he said. ?We also have to find ways to create more turnovers on defense so that we can get easy baskets.?

Schafer said the Eisenhower League will be balanced, but Wakefield is the early favorite.

?All of the teams in our league are well-coached and come ready to play each and every night,? he said. ?Hopefully, we will be able to compete with everyone.?

Centre visits Southeast of Saline Dec. 5, and will play in the Herington Tournament Dec. 9.

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