MEET THE TEAM
Last season Becker, the team's leading scorer and honorable mention all-state as a sophomore, was a play-maker off the ball. Clevenger is going to shift him over to point guard more this season to put the ball in the hands of the best player and let him make plays.
The other two pieces of the foundation will be seniors Chad Reibenspies, an elite defensive stopper, and four-year starter Colin Frickey, a 6-foot-4 post that was a second team all-league selection last year. Along with Becker, these three make up what should be a very good core for the Indians.
Clearwater is on the athletic side, but knows playing in the Ark Valley will result in most games being won in the half-court. The Indians don't have a dominant post, but what they do have is a plethora of 6-2, 6-3 and 6-4 versatile players. Clevenger thinks this will be his deepest team yet, which should open up more possibilities with pushing the pace.
Outside of Reibenspies, Clearwater wasn't as solid as Clevenger wanted last season. An improvement must be made in the man defense for the Indians to knock off quality teams.
There's still something to prove with this group. Last season resulted in 13 wins, but none against a team that finished with a winning record. Clearwater was on the fringe of being a great team last season, but came up short. With the pieces they have coming back, improving on last season's record and making a push for a state bid are not unreasonable.
MEET THE CAST
JOHNNY BECKER | GENERAL | 6'2" | JUNIORHonorable mention all-state as a sophomore and already is one of the best players in the league as a junior. High on basketball IQ and the ability to make plays for himself and others, Becker is in store for a big season as he shifts over to the point guard position.
COLIN FRICKEY | POST | 6'4" | SENIOR
A four-year starter, he'll be the rock down low for the Indians as the team's only post player comfortable working on the blocks. A second team all-league player last year, Frickey should push for a first team selection as he bumps up to the team's second scoring option this season.
CHAD REIBENSPIES | WING | 6'4" | SENIOR
One of the most underrated players around, Reibenspies excelled last season as Clearwater's defensive stopper on the perimeter. At 6-4, he has the length to disrupt a lot of shots and lateral quickness to stay in front of his man. He has the capability of scoring double-digits and pulling down boards.
REED VAN DEEST | WING | 6'1" | JUNIOR
Saw a steady diet of minutes of the bench last season and could get the bump up into the starting lineup for his shooting ability. Opposite of Becker, he could find his niche by hitting the open shot to keep defenses honest.
DEVIN ROTH | POST | 6'3" | JUNIOR
Another player that was used off the bench last season, Roth will be the energy man once again this year. He won't likely have to do much scoring, but Clearwater will depend on him to do the little things, i.e. rebound, take charges and play solid interior defense.
COLLIN NEISES | WING | 6'0" | SOPHOMORE
A talented youngster that suited up for varsity some last season and should take on an expanded role as a defensive spark off the bench. He looks like the heir to Reibenspies as the team's defensive stopper and will continue his apprenticeship this season.
HUNTER HALL | POST | 6'4" | SOPHOMORE
Another sophomore that will likely see an increase in minutes this season. He's a lanky 6-4 and has the size and length to be a disruptive force on defense and grabbing rebounds for the team off the bench.
FROM COACH CLEVENGER
"It was a disappointing end to last season. The kids are motivated and prepared to go deeper than we did last year. It's going to serve as our motivation, but we've got to come out and do the little things better this season. That's rebounding, boxing out, limiting turnovers, playing defense. If we can get everybody buying in and understanding what we want to accomplish and filling their roles, then we have the chance to be pretty good."THE PREDICTION
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