Dec. 9—CLARA CITY — There are three players who the MACCRAY boys basketball team will heavily lean on this season following the departure of a strong senior class.
A season ago the Wolverines were 5-11 in the Camden Conference and 7-20 overall, led by Xavier Noble, who was an All-Area Third Team selection after averaging 17.9 points per game.
Noble headlined an uber productive, six-player senior class for Wolverines, who will now look toward seniors Griffen Noble and Peyton Schlagel and junior Jonah Janssen for success.
Griffen, a 6-foot-2 guard, posted 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest as a junior behind Xavier and senior guard Wyatt Swenson (6.4 ppg) in the backcourt.
"Griffen will continue to expand his role on the team," MACCRAY head coach Lucas Post said. "He is very athletic and can really be a streaky shooter from three-point range. His length and athleticism make him a tough defender."
Schlagel, a 6-6 forward, collected 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 points per game last season. He provided depth to seniors Grayson Ahrenholz (11.5 ppg) and Jase Dirksen (8.4 ppg) up front.
"Peyton started to insert himself into the lineup after the midway point in the season and contributed solid minutes offensively and defensively," said Post, who has Trent Carlson and Andrew DeHoux on staff. "We are looking forward to him taking on a larger role as a senior. His size and athletic ability will make him a tough cover on offense and a shot-blocker defensively."
Janssen, a 6-0 guard, tallied 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest in his sophomore year.
"Jonah gave us solid minutes last year and will continue to elevate his play in his second season as a starter," Post said. "He is a tough competitor and has shown effective range with his jump shot. Jonah is also a good slasher and passer when he attacks the basket."