Last season: 5-16, 1-5 NCC. Lost in Class 3A Rensselaer Sectional to Knox.
Inside the Kougars
Leading returning scorer: Dustin Ketelaar, 10 ppg
Leading returning rebounder: Brent VanSoest, 2.3 rpg
Star power: Dustin Ketelaar, Sr., G. If the Kougars can find Ketelaar on the offensive end, they should enjoy success. Ketelaar has worked hard to improve his game and has become a leader on the floor.
Newcomer to watch: Matt Myers, So., F/C. Myers was a playmaker on the gridiron, and the Kougars will need his strength and size in the paint.
Breakdown
Kougars primed for next level
Third-year coach Jeff Hamstra is feeling good about his program, returning five varsity players, including three starters. The Kougars look to carry the success of the football team onto the hardwood with a solid core of players and added depth. “We’ve got about 10 guys, and one through 10 there’s a very small margin in ability and talent and how we play. That will be a good thing for us,” Hamstra said. “We aren’t afraid to go to the bench. Players have to understand that if you have an off night, you’ve got a teammate who can come in and cover for you.” Leading the charge will be Dustin Ketalaar, who’s adept at coming off screens and knocking down shots. Alex Forrestall, Matt Myers and Brent VanSoest are stout post players. “We‘ve worked real hard to get to this point, and we‘re ready,” Ketelaar said. The Kougars should also be solid defensively. “We want to be peaking at sectional time. If we don’t win games in November and December, you don’t,” Hamstra said. “We can live with that. We want to be able to win them in February and hopefully in March.” — Christopher Breach
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