New Chester coach Brad Norman looks to build a program in the River City but will have to do it with limited experience this season.
Norman coached three years at Dongola compiling records of 16-11, 18-9 and 11-13. Chester went 13-15 last season.
Chester returns two part-time starters in juniors Kyle Landon (6’6) and Caleb Arbeiter (5’10). Senior Matt Heberlie (6’2) and junior Chris Schwartz (6’1) saw some varsity time last year and will again be counted on this season.
Also expected to see time are juniors Link Cushman (5’11), Reed Koeneman (6’7) and Dalton Misuraca (5’10), senior Greg Rowald (6’4) and sophomores Cody Mileur (5’11), Jacob Lochhead (5’11) and Kramer Eggemeyer (5’9).
“We have a team that can shoot the ball well and attack the basket,” said Norman. “I think we can push the ball more and play above the rim. With have some size and good depth. We can play 10 players so that we can put a lot of pressure on defense. We don’t have a lot of experience so maturity has to happen quickly. I need to put the young players in positions they can succeed and learn. With us being a young team, we have to try and limit our turnovers but I see us cutting that down as the season progresses.”
The Yellow Jackets prepare for their second season in the Black Diamond Conference.
“Trico will be tough,” said Norman. “They have great size and the Heins kid will give us fits. Sesser-Valier will also be tough as they bring back a lot of size and talent. Zeigler-Royalton will be small but fast. Goreville will play a lot of players and be a tough team to beat. We shouldn’t get blown out by anyone. We can play with every team in the conference.”
Norman wants his team to compete to win their own Chester Invitational Tournament, a feat the Yellow Jackets have done just twice in 50 years and turn around the losing culture of Chester basketball.
“Our main goal is our first game,” said Norman. “We want to win the first quarter of the game against Murphysboro. I know it is a tough matchup to start with. Come regional time, I see no reason why we can’t compete for a title. I am also hoping to see us split games with Sesser-Valier and Trico.”
Chester opens up the season against Murphysboro Monday, November 28 in the Murphysboro Invitational.