The Steeleville Warriors boys basketball program has shown signs of improvement over the past two years and will be looking to get over the hump and back to its winning ways during the 2010-2011 campaign.
Steeleville was 15-16 last season and return four starters from that squad, seniors Colin Smith (6’2), Nick Potter (6’0), Andrew Pokrzywinski (5’11) and Coire Reel (6’5).
“All four of those guys can lead us in scoring on any given night,” said Steeleville coach Gerald Mumbower. “They take care of the ball well, and that has come with experience. Colin and Andrew our three-year starters and have played varsity ball since their freshman year. We will be taller this year, but we don’t have a lot of bulk inside.”
Along with experience, Mumbower is counting on his team’s depth for success this season.
“With our personnel, we can throw several different looks out there and create some problems for other teams,” said Mumbower. “Torrey Gerberding (6’3) is another senior and an excellent three-point shooter. His game really improved over the summer. Joey Wittenbrink (6’1) is also a senior and one of our better athletes. We expect him to help us out a bunch this year. Jacob Combs (5’10 junior) is a pretty good all-around player who will also see plenty of varsity minutes. He has picked it up on the defensive end and has a nice shot. We can also use 6’4 sophomore Darin Winkelman to give us more size inside.”
Since the Cahokia Conference split into two divisions the Kaskaskia Division has been dominated by the Lebanon boys basketball team. This season, the Greyhounds are favored by many but Steeleville is also in the conversation.
“Lebanon has a lot of players back, and they have good size across the board,” said Mumbower. “New Athens has the best player in the conference in Vince Kiefer. Marissa returns some nice players, and Dupo should be improved. I think we can compete for the conference title, but I wouldn’t say we are the favorite. Lebanon has to be the favorite until someone takes them out.”
Steeleville opened up the season Monday at Sparta and will compete in the Trico Invitational November 29 through December 4.
The Warriors’ first home game is December 14 against Dupo.
“We want to win some more tournament games than in the past and improve our defense,” added Mumbower. “We will only be as good as our defense.”
Steeleville Warriors Schedule
11/23 A Sparta
11/29-12/4 A Trico Invitational
12/10 A Marissa-Coulterville
12/14 H Dupo
12/17 H Okawville
12/27-28 A Pinckneyville Tournament
1/4 A Valmeyer
1/7 A Lebanon
1/11 H Red Bud
1/18-22 A Sparta Midwinter Classic
1/25 H Valmeyer
1/28 A New Athens
1/29 A Pinckneyville Shootout
2/1 H Marissa-Coulterville
2/4 A Dupo
2/8 H Lebanon
2/11 H Trico
2/15 A Chester
2/18 H New Athens
