Farmington appears poised for big season
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
Three new head coaches will lead local basketball programs this year, though technically there’s nothing “new” about any of the three.
Farmington’s Marty Lozier, Brimfield’s Kevin Kreiter and Princeville’s Tait Sennett have all served as assistants in the programs they are taking over, so there’s plenty of familiarity with all three.
Lozier and Kreiter inherit more experience than Sennett, who looks to have his work cut out after graduating five starters and seeing other likely candidates hurt during football season.
Elsewhere, Bob Anderson is back with high hopes at ROWVA-Williamsfield, where a solid quartet give him hope to get the eight victories he needed to reach 700 career wins – possibly even in 2021.
And at Elmwood, Josh Fugitt transitions from being one of the young guys to a “veteran” coach – whose roster is largely untested.
Here’s an in-depth look at all five local program as boys games tip off this week.
Farmington
Doesn’t it seem Farmington always has thin, tall athletic players well-suited to an aggressive run-and-jump defense? This year is no different, as Lozier can call on at least six players 6-foot-2 or taller who can run the floor.
Topping that list is 6-6 senior guard Corbin Rutledge, last year’s top scorer. A good shooter and penetrator, Rutledge will be joined in the starting lineup by 6-3 senior Ethan Evans and captain Riley Embry, who Lozier called “the leader of the team” and “a hard-nosed kid.”
Among the top newcomers are 6-5 sophomore Keauntrey Barnes, 6-2 junior Gage Renken, 6-5 junior Jace Crawford and 6-4 senior Matt Kenney, who is out for the first time. Barnes is the most promising of that group, as he has grown a few inches in the past year and is “an effortless dunker” who hopes to play basketball at the next level, according to Lozier.
Others who may contribute include senior guard Jeremy Schlueter, junior guard Logan Morse (“an excellent scorer on the soph level,” according to Lozier) and 6-0 junior Tanner Kenney.
If it sounds like Lozier knows the roster well, it’s because he does, having served as the 7th grade coach in 2009, 8th grade coach in 2010-15 and from 2015-21 as JV coach under Jeff Otto (now the Farmington athletic director).
“I thought about retiring [from coaching] and probably was going to, but [Otto] talked to me,” said Lozier, who is also president of Lozier Oil Company. “We have a culture here that [Tom] Wierzba started and Jeff has maintained that culture and we wanted to make sure we kept it going.
“And I’ve had a relationship with these kids since they were in junior high. I love it. And my son [Zack] is working for me in the office and taking a lot of the load.”
Lozier said he expects to keep much of the traditional full-court, high-pressure defensive scheme Farmington is known for, though he does plan to “mix in some zone.”
“Offensively I’d say we’ll see a lot of changes,” Lozier said. “Probably a lot of fast-paced motion.”
Beyond that, the Farmers have several players out with lingering football injuries as play continues in the Fulton County Tournament Saturday vs. Lewistown at Astoria.
Farmington opened the tourney with a 47-39 win over Havana on Monday, behind 17 points from Logan Morse and 16 from Rutledge.
Brimfield
New coach Kreiter has spent 24 years as an assistant and said it has been 40 years since he graduated after playing for the Indians.
“It means a lot to be able to lead my alma mater,” he said.
Better yet, he has plenty to build around with a lineup that includes five seniors who saw starting time on last year’s 9-3 finisher. Back is top returning scorer Max Walters, a forward, guards Levi Moon, Jakoby McKown and Thomas Harmon and center Caleb Tyre.
“We have 35 points per game returning. It’s good, but it’s not enough to win,” Kreiter said. “We lost a lot with Luke [Groeper].”
The graduated Groeper was top scorer and rebounder last year.
Kreiter said Moon and Walters have worked a lot on shooting and should provide an outside presence. The Indians also have depth thanks to the likes of 6-4 senior Frank Kelch, seniors Austin Baysingar and Jacob Look and junior Oliver Heinz. Heinz stands 6-3 and Kreiter said, “Oliver has stepped up and has grown quite a bit.”
Finding time for everyone will be the challenge, Kreiter said.
“We have a solid group. Unfortunately, only five can play. That’s going to be the issue,” the new coach said. “We have to find a way to play people and keep people happy. It’s a good problem but there’s also a fine line.”
As another added bonus, former coach Scott Carlson has returned to help as a volunteer assistant and do some scouting, joining a staff that includes assistant Jake Lowery.
“I really welcome that help. I don’t think you’re going to see a whole lot of change,” Kreiter said. “One thing that won’t change is we’ve got to keep the stripes on our warmup pants.”
Brimfield opened Tuesday in its Turkey Tournament vs. Tremont and plays again Friday vs. Midwest Central at 5 and Saturday at 6:30 against a strong Knoxville team.
ROWVA-Williamsfield
After some recent lean years, there’s reason for optimism again in Billtown, where veteran coach Bob Anderson stands just eight wins away from 700 career victories after the season opener.
ROWVA-Williamsfield started Monday with a 63-42 win over Galva that featured 22 points from junior Graham Wight, 12 points from junior Adam Kohl, 10 points from senior Carson Malek and 8 points from sophomore Riley Danner.
That’s pretty close to the formula Anderson said R-W needs to follow for success this winter.
The 6-2 Wight is top returning scorer after averaging 14 ppg for a 4-11 finisher last year.
“He ought to be a load inside,” Anderson said. “I need about 20 ppg out of him. He’s got a good body, is strong and should be a handful inside.”
The 5-11 Malek is an outside threat who will also be asked to rebound and Kohl is good at going to the basket.
“With those three kids we’re hoping to have a little inside game, some outside shooting and drives to the basket,” Anderson said. “We’ve got much better talent this year than we have in the last three. We haven’t been very good the last couple years and we need to get that turned around.”
Another starter is senior Dylan Tucker, who will help handle the ball and be called on as a defensive stopper.
Beyond that, the fifth spot is pretty open, with Danner among those likely to see time. Other candidates to start include twins Andy and Dean Hamilton, senior Matt Sanchez and sophomore Lewis Sams.
Elmwood
Two starters return to lead what is otherwise an inexperienced crew on the varsity level.
Headlining the attack is gifted scorer Andrew Marincic, a 6-3 senior who averaged 18.7 ppg last year on a more balanced scoring attack that finished 9-4. Along the way, Marincic shot 38 percent on 3s, 78 percent from the free throw line and took the ball to the basket with more authority. This year he will earn even more of the focus from opposing defenses, meaning others need to step up.
A prime candidate for that is 6-6 senior Victor Lenzi (2.7 ppg), whose size, experience and presence are strengths, according to Coach Josh Fugitt. After that the roster is relatively untested, as this summer showed.
“We struggled,” Fugitt said. “We found out quickly over the summer where our weaknesses are and how our inexperience will provide challenges early on.”
Monday’s opener at the Wally Keller Invitational at Kewanee Wethersfield was a bright spot, though, as Elmwood topped Putnam County, 58-54, behind 27 points from Marincic, 17 from Zach Howerton and 6 from Brayden Lehman – two juniors Fugitt is counting on to step up.
“Lehman’s size and athleticism is going to be important,” Fugitt said. “And Zach has been the most consistent player in the offseason. He has put in the time this offseason and I’m excited to see what he can do.”
The Trojans were back in action Tuesday vs. Bureau Valley and face Wethersfield Friday at 8.
Fugitt said 6-3 junior Brendan Williams has “length and size that will help us.” Beyond that are two other seniors who have seen very little varsity time. Michael Seibert was out last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery but “has always been the glue guy with that senior class,” according to Fugitt. And Fugitt said Johnny York’s athleticism and speed will help on defense end.
“We’re going to need our juniors to step up and really play well for us to have success early on,” Fugitt said. “But I like where we’re going to be in February.”
Princeville
As if replacing all five starters and eight lettermen from a 10-3 finisher wasn’t challenge enough for new coach Tait Sennett, he now has no games or practices until Dec. 7 due to a COVID outbreak at the school.
Once the Princes return to action, Sennett is looking for leadership from senior guard Grant Hunt (1.4 ppg) and 6-1 Cole Brower and 6-2 junior Marcus Daily, the latter two who are both inside players. Sennett said Torence Kieser will also help outside.
“We will rely on our defense and hustle to win games,” said Sennett, who has been JV coach at Princeville for six seasons.
