SUAMICO – Despite losing a good chunk of scoring and seven seniors to graduation, the Bay Port boys basketball team looks primed for a solid season.
With a trio of transfers into the district and some solid returners, the Pirates will look to improve on their 14-11 overall record and 11-7 mark in the Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC).
“We had a really good schedule and a tough start last season,” Nate Rykal, who is entering his 21st season as coach at Bay Port, said. “In the second half of the season, we were one of the best teams in the league. Our two losses [in the second half] were to Ashwaubenon and De Pere. I was proud of the grit and toughness we showed down the stretch.”
Because it lost some close games last season, Rykal said his team has to be more intentional about “the little things.”
“It’s about doing things the right way every day, and letting the results take care of themselves,” he said. “Our guys need to do a good job of holding each other accountable, and we need to, as coaches, hold them accountable because we have a chance to be really good this year.”
Among others, the Pirates lost Mondes Kelly (14.2 points per game), Maddox Cornette (10.8) and Caden Hendricks (6.5) to graduation.
“Returners Matt Stevens, [the Bay Port quarterback], and Roman Binns really helped us win some games last year,” Rykal said. “Mikey Jones is back, and then Sawyer Durkee was consistent all year in averaging 12 points and three rebounds a game.”
Add in a few pieces from the JV team and the transfers, and Rykal said the roster looks good.
“We added the brother duo of 6-foot-10 senior JJ Meyer and 6-9 junior JT Meyer as well,” he said. “They played at Monroe High School last season. JT averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game, while JJ added 10.5 points per game in coming off the bench.”
It’s not all good news, though, Rykal said.
“JJ tore his ACL right at the beginning of the AAU season, so he probably won’t be available until late January,” he said. “Twins Kamden and Hudson Finlan are 6-foot-2 juniors who scored in double figures on the JV team last year.”
If that’s not enough, Rykal said AJ Ivy transferred into the district from Romeoville, Illinois.
“AJ is a combo guard and is getting recruited at the Division III level,” he said. “He’s a good ball handler and decision maker, really intense and gets after it defensively. He has some shot-making ability and is good at getting his teammates involved. He can score, but we need him to take good shots. He doesn’t need to take tough shots every time down the court.”
Rykal said with a plethora of talent, it’s his and his coaching staff’s job to make sure the team meshes and shares the ball.
“There is a lot of competition for playing time,” he said. “We’ve probably got two starting fives to be honest – it’s a good problem to have, and we’re going to be deep. There won’t be any time for anyone to rest.”
Rykal said he’s had similar teams in the past who were this deep.
“People have joked and asked me, ‘Do you have enough basketballs to go around?’” he said. “We have to make sure the guys do it the right way, get the right shots, use their strengths and avoid their weaknesses. It’s not about one or two guys – it’s about the whole team.”
With such a deep bench, Rykal said his team will look to run.
“I think us, De Pere, Notre Dame Academy, Sheboygan North and West De Pere will be the top teams in the conference,” he said. “With Ashwaubenon losing Elijah Fenner, that really hurts them. I feel really bad for those guys because he is a heck of a player.”
After taking on Oshkosh North, Appleton North and Stevens Point, the Pirates will take on Appleton East on Saturday, Dec. 6.
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