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Size inside to help East's chances for success
The Flames return 6-foot-6, 225-pound senior center Brian Wallden and debut 6-foot-11, 195-pound junior forward Mark Rutecki. Wallden is last year's only returning starter. Rutecki played JV as a sophomore. Wallden, one of three East captains, led the Flames in points and rebounds the last two years (19 points, 19 rebounds in 2006, shot over 50 percent) and is the only returning starter. He's also the team's best three-point shooter. "He's got such a nose for the ball and is tough to stop inside," East coach Dennis Belote. "He also runs the court well." Rutecki hasn't been named a starter as of press time but will see playing time, said Belote. When Wallden and Rutecki are both on the floor, Belote said he's going to run a lot of high-low sets. Belote said Wallden is the key to East's success. "If we're going to be successful, we have to get him the ball and let him score," said Belote. Another key to East's success will be how the guards can get the ball to Wallden or Rutecki. Senior tri-captain Chris Schiumo will start at point guard. Juniors Kevin Castine and Kelse Lee can also play at the point; Lee can also be a shooting guard. Belote said Schiumo is a good shooter, which will be needed for his team to have success. "We need him to shoot the ball," said Belote. "If he doesn't shoot the ball, it's going to tie up the inside like it did last year (East shot 22 percent as a team from three-point range)." The starting position at shooting guard has yet to be filled, although Belote said it could be 6-foot-3 senior Mark Guenther or 6-foot-1 senior tri-captain Aaron Tichenor. Each should see playing time. Six-foot junior Peter Heim is penciled in as the starting small forward. He can also be used as a point guard if needed. Heim was brought up from JV last year and got some minutes. Belote said he has played well in the preseason. "He runs the court well and has a good first step when going to the basket," said Belote. "He's tough to stop." Other players who should contribute are 5-foot-11 junior guard/forward Mike Silvestri and 6-foot-3 senior transfer Roy Sanders. Silvestri should be one of the first players to come off the bench and is the team's best defensive player, said Belote. Senior guards Andrew Steel and Adam Burtch and junior center Ryan Ganzenmuller and guards David Mernan and Ryan Duggan round out the roster. East, which finished 12-10 last year and lost to McKinley in the Section VI Class A-1 quarterfinals, is a favorite with Hamburg to be one of the teams to beat in ECIC Division II.
"I think we'll be better than last year," said Belote. "Now we have to go out and prove it." |
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