By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – The Notre Dame Academy boys’ basketball team is coming off a difficult 3-20 overall season and a 2-16 mark in the Fox River Classic Conference.
But the Tritons can take solace in the fact they lost eight games by seven or fewer points, and they return nine of their top 10 players this season.
“Down the stretch, we put our defense together for multiple stretches of a game,” said Notre Dame Academy head coach A.J. Alexander. “Once guys found the offensive knack to score, we were more competitive in games in the second half of the season.”
The Tritons frontcourt possesses good size and athletic talent.
George Kress averaged 13 points and a shade over six rebounds a game, and Jack Schumer added 10.4 points a contest last year.
As a sophomore, Garrett Grzesk, son of St. Norbert men’s basketball coach Gary Grzesk, provided a spark in the frontcourt by grabbing a team-best 6.7 rebounds and scoring a little more than seven points per outing.
“This is a family atmosphere,” Alexander said. “It includes the coaches, players, parents and the community of Notre Dame. My door is open to talking at any time about an issue. We strive these men to work hard on their academics so they can go onto four-year colleges or universities.”
Last year’s backcourt took a hit with multiple games missed due to injury and breaking in freshmen.
Sam Schmid and Chris Mitchell only played 21 total games combined, but they will be counted on this year to provide scoring and ball-handling at the point guard and off-guard positions.
In their place, Danny Nennig stepped into a starting role and provided steady play at the point-guard position.
Marcus Hornacek played in all 23 games and will provide senior leadership and long-range shooting.
Hornacek connected on 44 triples a year ago and had 16 steals against opponents.
“I expect Schumer and Hornacek to step into senior leaders this year for us,” said Alexander. “Garrett, George, Cooper Buckowski and Danny were guys we depended on last year. I think we’ll play with a chip on our shoulder. Hopefully, it translates into more wins on the court.”
Others to watch include Daniel Hornacek, Keegan King and Ben Laskowski.
With the hot topic of private institutions meshing with public schools for the playoffs and the WIAA continually juggling teams to different sectionals, the question still remains: How do you make it fair for all involved?
“In my opinion, it’s been a positive thing having public and private schools together in one state tournament for all sports in Wisconsin,” said Alexander. “I like to look at brackets of state tournaments in all sports and see the various areas represented.”
Almost 20 years ago, the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association, the private-school organization in Wisconsin, disbanded and joined the current WIAA governing body in the state.
Alexander lists Bay Port, De Pere and Green Bay Preble as possible contenders in the FRCC.
Notre Dame Academy boys’ basketball schedule
12/9 – @ Luxemburg-Casco – 7:15 p.m.
12/13 – Sheboygan North
12/17 – @ Ashwaubenon
12/20 – Green Bay Preble
12/27 – Appleton North (Kress Events Center – UWGB) – 5 p.m.
1/7 – @ Pulaski
1/10 – Bay Port
1/11 – @ Sturgeon Bay (Kress Events Center) – 3:30 p.m.
1/14 – De Pere
1/17 – @ Manitowoc Lincoln
1/21 – Sheboygan South
1/24 – @ Green Bay Southwest
1/28 – @ Sheboygan North
1/31 – @ Preble
2/4 – Ashwaubenon
2/7 – Pulaski
2/11 – @ Bay Port
2/14 – @ De Pere
2/18 – Manitowoc
2/21 – @ Sheboygan South
2/27 – Green Bay Southwest
Editor’s note: All games begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.