By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Southwest boys’ basketball player Lucas Stieber has a good pedigree when it comes to playing sound defense.

The grandson of former UW-Stevens Point, UW-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett, Stieber was recently named the top senior defensive player as part of the Wisconsin Sports Network (WSN) Senior Basketball Awards.

“My teammates make me a great defender,” said the 6-foot-3 Stieber. “I know this is an individual award, but you have to remember, I’m playing with four other guys on the court. My teammates allow me to gamble and make plays because they trust me and they have my back. Talking is another reason I had a lot of success on defense this year. My team communicates with me through screens and with switches, which makes denying kids the ball a lot easier.”

The Trojans finished the season 22-3 and won the Fox River Classic Conference title for the first time since 2001.

Southwest advanced to the WIAA Division 2 sectionals but fell to Kaukauna, 66-63.

Stieber injured his hip against Bay Port Feb. 11 and wasn’t able to contribute physically the last seven games of the season.

“My hip continues to improve,” Stieber added. “The rest has helped a lot, and I jumpstarted my physical therapy. We’ll see what I do for a spring sport, but I hope to be back to 100 percent in 3-4 weeks.”

Stieber said he will definitely play college ball but hasn’t decided where yet.

UW-La Crosse or St. Norbert are possibilities, or he might decide to walk on at a Division I program.

Stieber averaged 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.