Wildcat Boys Bring Back Experience
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP—Veteran Central Mountain boys basketball coach Scott Baker believes the upcoming season could be a pretty good one.
Bolstered by a nucleus of six returning lettermen coming off an experience-building 6-16 mark a year ago, the Wildcats look to have the stuff to support Baker’s expectations.
Among those returning is do-everything senior Alex Garbrick, a three-year starter. The 6-2 three-sport standout led the Wildcats in rebounds at 5.9 per game a year ago, was second in scoring at 12.7 points per game, first in assists at 2.5 per game and posted a team-leading 29 steals on the season.
Baker is high on what he sees in Garbrick: “Alex brings leadership by example and a true ability to score.” And Baker had good things to say about his other returning lettermen including senior Cole Reeder “who plays with an attitude. He is undersized for a post player but his quickness and ability to handle the ball on the perimeter makes him a very tough player to guard.”
Junior letter winners who return and are looking to build off of successful sophomore seasons include Brody Baker, Kyle Everhart, Landon Breon and Wyatt Bumbarger. Baker said each possesses different skill sets that give them the ability to have big seasons in 2015-2016.
A number of players return who gained considerable experience last season. Wyatt Koch and Nick Carpenetti will play keys role as they are expected to provide some size on the interior.
Others vying for playing time include junior Justin Neff who rejoins the team after missing last season; Baker said Neff has looked very good in the preseason. Senior Tyler Zablocki also comes back out after missing several years and senior Cordell Muthler while not new to the program is back and, according to the head coach, has been much improved.
Baker said sophomore Matthew Storeman’s quickness and aggressive play may play a role at some point during the season and Yash Adroja is vying for varsity time as well.
Baker said a team goal has been to progress daily and the expectation for winning is real. Noting the Heartland Conference possesses some quality competition, he said a league championship is a goal.
He listed as a strength a roster with multiple players who can score. “This is something that was missing last season when we really struggled at times offensively. We have numerous guys this season that are legitimate deep threats but yet have overall skill sets to make them and the team collectively very dangerous offensively.”
Team height, or lack thereof, is a concern but Baker said he believes that can be compensated for with quickness and overall basketball IQ.
The Wildcats open the new season at Bald Eagle Area this Friday night and then are off until Friday, Dec. 11 at District 4 power Williamsport.
