Preview: Circle Thunderbirds

MEET THE TEAM

Replacing a coach like Burt Helmer wasn't going to be easy, but Circle probably picked up the best coach available in Stucky, who had immense success at Andover before his untimely departure in 2010. He has a track record of winning and should continue to make the T-Birds a competitive program, although in a different way.
Under Helmer, Circle slowed the pace of the game to a crawl and tried to grind out victories in low-scoring affairs. Last season Circle won only four games, but lost an incredible eight games by five points or less.
Adjusting to Stucky's philosophy, which will call for a faster-paced game and the installation of a high-low offense, will take time because he was hired late in the off-season and didn't get a chance to work with his players before the year.
The offense, at least early on, will run through 6-5 senior Stewart Dennison, who is the only returning starter. Stucky wants the offense to work from the inside-out and is extremely high on Dennison's potential in the high post. Circle has enough depth to play 10 in the rotation, but the team will likely end up relying on three seniors - Dennison, Dominic Lara, and Seth Blaha - and junior Paul Richard.
Circle wasn't as bad as its record last season, but it will be difficult to improve this season under a new system and lack of varsity experience. Stucky is a more than capable coach to turn it around quickly, but doing it in the first season might be a bit too much to ask for.

MEET THE CAST

STEWART DENNISON | POST | 6'5" | SENIOR
High on potential, Dennison's skill set will be given every opportunity to be unlocked this season in Stucky's high-low system that will allow to become the vocal point of the offense.
PAUL RICHARD | POST | 6'3" | JUNIOR 
Athletic enough to get by playing on the wing, Richard also possesses the toughness to bang inside and scrap for loose balls and rebounds. A junior that will be asked to step up and relieve the pressure off of Dennison.
SETH BLAHA | WING | 6'2" | SENIOR
Another versatile player that can play on the wing or in the post, Blaha will be one of the team's established leaders this season that should also provide a scoring punch.
DOMINIC LARA | GENERAL | 5'10" | SENIOR
One of the only guards on the roster with any experience and as a senior will be given the keys to run Stucky's uptempo offense, which should play to his quickness.
EMMITT LECHNER | WING | 6'1" | SENIOR
The team's do-everything senior, he won't likely get much of the recognition but his blue-collar work will be invaluable to a team desperately in need of consistency.
 

FROM COACH STUCKY

"We have to make shots. It really is that simple. Last year I don't think they had a lot of confidence in scoring. I think the new offense is going to open some things up and they'll be finding themselves in scoring opportunities maybe they're not used to. If we can get a couple of guys that can find their stroke and their shooting confidence, then we're going to be in a lot of games."

THE PREDICTION

Circle wasn't as far away from a .500 season as it looked last year. Things are headed in the right direction under Stucky, but he needs more time to establish his system and get things in order before the Thunderbirds are ready to compete. He gives Circle instant credibility though and I wouldn't be surprised if they squeak one or two they shouldn't and escape the bottom of the league standings.