Preview: Andover Trojans

MEET THE TEAM

It was an unknown which direction Andover would head when Chad Wilmott took over the program last season as a little-known head coach. He answered that question immediately, maximizing the potential of an Andover squad that ended its season in the state tournament and finished with 17 victories. It's so important for new coaches to gain the trust of their players, and it's clear that Wilmott now has the trust of everyone in an Andover uniform. Expect that to carry over to this season.

Andover certainly loses a lot from last season's state team, but it has a centerpiece back in 6-foot-6 senior mammoth Adam DeKoning in the middle. He will give the Trojans a huge presence in the middle of the floor, capable of swatting away shots, grabbing every rebound in sight, and a soft enough touch to score from 18 feet and in. He will be a star for Andover this season and there's no question the offense will be run through the big man. He averaged 13 and 8 last season, and it would be a surprise to no one if both of those increased this season to a double-double.

Now to the questions. Where will the rest of the offense come from, and who will get DeKoning the ball after a great floor leader in Brady Carter has moved on? Andover hopes that answers will be a pair of seniors, Austin Beahm and Ryan Bezdek. Beahm should see an increase to his scoring load this season, and has the ability with his athleticism to capitalize and become a consistent scorer from the perimeter. Bezdek showed glimpses last season of being able to run the show, but now it's his job full-time and he's going to have to step his game up if Andover is to remain successful. Both should excel in expanded roles this season.

Another senior, Bryant Klusener, figures to play a significant role this season along the perimeter, and junior Austin Brown will make a nice high-low partner with DeKoning. Those four seniors will be the foundation to Andover this season, and there's a possibility that another, Steven Young, could play this season. Young played a large role on the Kapaun state championship team in 2011 as a sophomore, and if he's healthy after football season then that is a potential boon for Wilmott and the Trojans at the guard position. He would make an instant impact and give Andover a dynamic backcourt pairing with Bezdek.

This is a team that has the potential to be very good when it's fully healthy. Andover runs a deliberate offense and more times than not comes away with a good shot. That efficiency gives the Trojans a chance against almost everyone. And you know the team's defense is going to be stingy come February with Wilmott and assistant Ryan Herrs running the show. Those two know what they're doing, and it's a given that Andover will be competitive with almost everybody this season. Andover proved last season that it could be a state-level team. Now it's time to show that they have some staying power there.

MEET THE CAST

#33 | ADAM DeKONING | CENTER | 6'6" | SENIOR
One of the most skilled big men in the state, DeKoning appears poised for a monster senior season with the offense running through him. A potential double-double machine, DeKoning can score in various ways - with his back to the basket or stepping out and hitting a jumper - and is just as good defensively.
#32 | RYAN BEZDEK | POINT GUARD | 5'9" | SENIOR
It's his turn to run the show and expect Bezdek, a floor general, to excel. Plays with a very high basketball IQ and is unselfish, willing to sacrifice his shots to make the extra pass for a teammate. Also an above-average defender, Bezdek is a player that will win games for Andover.
#5 | AUSTIN BEAHM | WING | 6'2" | SENIOR
Nice, athletic wing player that is an excellent slasher and also has a solid 3-point stroke. He can score the ball and should slide into one of the primary scoring roles this season. Another solid defender that has a good motor and the willingness to help out on the boards.
#25 | AUSTIN BROWN | POST | 6'4" | JUNIOR
Will pair with DeKoning for a formidable high-low combination. Not the scorer that DeKoning is, but he's good enough around the basket to make teams pay if they leave him to double the other big man. Should be an effective rebounder and provide a solid interior presence for the Trojans.
#21 | BRYANT KLUSENER | WING | 5'11" | SENIOR
Might slide under the radar this season, but don't underestimate his importance to this team. A senior leader and a scrapper, he's willing to get down on the floor and get the extra loose ball for his team. He'll be counted on to do a lot of the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet this season.
#15 | STEVEN YOUNG | GUARD | 5'8" | SENIOR
If he's healthy and he plays, then he'll make an immediate impact. Played a large role on a state championship team at Kapaun in 2011, and has the quickness and athleticism to be a big-time scorer and defensive demon from the perimeter for Andover. He could be the X-Factor.
#40 | DANTE BUTLER | POST | 6'2" | JUNIOR
Saw some minutes in the rotation as a sophomore last year on a state-qualifying team, so he figures to be a part of the rotation again this year. A bruiser down low that plays bigger than his size, Butler is a nice option coming off the bench to energize the Trojans.
#41 | ZACH SEABROOK | POST | 6'3" | JUNIOR
Another big body that Wilmott can plug in the middle and get quality rebounding and defense out of. He has displayed a knack for scoring, as well, that should come in handy when the starters are in foul trouble. He has deceiving quickness in the post and some nice moves down low.
#10 | JOSH NORLIN | GUARD | 5'8" | JUNIOR
An energizing presence coming off the bench that has nice quickness that translates well on defense. He'll be needed to relieve Bezdek as the point guard and is still developing his skills running the offense.
#20 | GRIFFIN JOBE | WING | 5'10" | JUNIOR
Another option off the bench for Andover along the perimeter that can come in and provide some aggressive defense along the perimeter. Has a nice motor and a willingness to scrap for loose balls.

FROM COACH WILMOTT

"We had a great off-season. We worked them pretty good...they joked it was like boot camp at times. Some days we'd do agility, some days we'd do long distance, some days we'd do sprints. A couple of times we just went old school with jump ropes and abs."
- Told to Tony Adame of VarsityKansas.com

THE PREDICTION

I really liked what I saw with how Wilmott handled this group last season. Andover was certainly talented, but I believe that he maximized what he had and a berth into the state tournament was a tremendous success for the program. Andover loses a lot, but it has some nice pieces and a potential huge get if Young is healthy and capable of contributing. I really like having a big guy to work around in the middle in DeKoning, and I really like how Bezdek plays the game as the team's floor leader. This is a team that has the talent to undoubtedly make another run at the state tournament. I like this team to win at least 13 games in the regular season and play in a sub-state championship game.