There are many things to hate about the winter. Icy roads, gloomy skies and car windows in need of scraping are on the horizon. Luckily, the LHS boys basketball team has arrived to save the Crazies from the snowy despair!

After a long week of tryouts, the final roster for LHS was released. The 15 boys who made the cut are looking to establish chemistry that will elevate them over last year’s playoff disappointment. Led by a strong core of senior leadership and promising young potential, the Pats are looking to make a run for the State championship.

One man on everybody’s radar this season is senior Jared Jaros, who led the team last year to multiple wins. The skilled, 6’2” guard will look to contribute both in points and in leadership. With a killer jumpshot and a seemingly ever-expanding range from outside the paint, Jaros is positioned to have another big season. While Jaros has not been the most vocal leader in the past, his position as one of the most talented players at LHS will put him in a spot to propel the team to new heights.

Jaros will be aided by fellow senior Nate Brecht, the mulleted, 6’7” forward. Brecht possesses an obvious height advantage over his competitors, but is also smooth in the paint and an above average defender. While he is not as much of a pure scorer as Jaros, Brecht is still a solid shooter and has the skills to make a large contribution this season.

These two seniors, as well as returning seniors like Grant Russell, Nolan Ransom and Zach Hanson, will need to establish the chemistry that their predecessors have lacked. With an incoming class that has an abundance of talent, creating a strong team bond will be necessary to keep an individualistic mindset far from the court.

A large number of juniors made the team this year, and perhaps the youngster looking to make the biggest splash is 6’4”, junior Max Burchill. He possesses a massive wingspan as well as a smooth shot. These attributes, as well as his penchant for rebounding, will serve Burchill as he looks to build on a dominant sophomore season.

Burchill is joined by another dominant athlete: junior Tyler Hiatt. The 6’2” big man is listed at 235 pounds, which allows him to attack the ball. His strength, combined with a solid hustle and fluidity in his movements, should allow Hiatt to make a mark during his first varsity season. What remains to be seen, though, is how his knee, which was injured prior to the football season, will hold up over the course of the year. However, extensive rehab should allow Hiatt to play as hard as ever.

Many other juniors will receive playing time, such as Sam Fawcett, Kesean Ladd, Noah Johnson and Mitch Eichacker. These players, along with the rest of the junior class, will learn from both practice with the seniors and playing in JV games. While, as a whole, the class is a little unpolished, their talent should serve the varsity team well.

The excitement towards the upcoming season can be felt in the gyms and in the halls of LHS. Big things are expected from this talented group of players. If chemistry and work ethic are developed quickly, we could be cutting the net by the end of the year.

Correction: 12/4/18

The featured photo and caption were updated.