Phantoms lose all five starters

By Murray Gleffe

Correspondent

DE PERE – The West De Pere boys’ basketball team had one of the deepest starting fives in the Bay Conference last season in Jake Karchinski, Jovan Webb, John Edinger, Garrett Kempen and Kerry Kodanko

All five are gone, along with 58 points, 15 rebounds and more than seven assists a game.

The Phantoms won seven of eight down the stretch before losing to Green Bay Southwest in the WIAA Division 2 regional finals, 65-55.

The team eclipsed 70 points, 10 times with its up-tempo offense and finished third in the Bay Conference behind Xavier and Seymour.

The 2019-20 season will feature a new starting lineup and a new coach in Todd Deschane, who takes over for the departed Andy Werner.

Deschane coached one season at Marion High School (2002-2003) and three years at Oconto Falls (2003-2006).

“I got a teaching job in West De Pere in 2006-2007 and took an assistant position under Steve Kestly,” said Deschane. “I have coached several different levels from high school to middle school over the past 12 years. I have also worked in our Fast Break Basketball program. I love coaching and have coached every year I have been a teacher.”

Todd Deschane

There are still components of last year’s team intact, including Nate Jensen and Marcus Van Vreede, who averaged between four and five points a game in reserve guard roles.

Deschane will continue with an up-tempo style of play on offense.

“I’m excited to get the season going,” said Van Vreede. “We have a lot of new faces and are working hard in practice to get better. There are positions for everybody to take and get playing time if they give their all every day.”

Other potential contributors include Brady Darrow, Mason Hoffman, Jackson Wall, Mike Moran and Dawson Nordgaard.

The senior Kodanko has decided not to come out after receiving preferred walk-on status at UW-Madison for football.

“I am an intense coach who wants his players to play for each other and look to make one another better,” Deschane said. “We have a motto we try to instill on a daily basis. We focus on our ability to get better, no matter what we do. We look to get better as humans outside of the court as well as on the court. If we focus on getting better, it will lead to success in whatever we do in life.”

With the recent message about a shortage of certified WIAA officials, Deschane adds his take on keeping things positive as a part of the high school experience.

“We will continue to push a positive atmosphere and look to keep the game fun and balanced with students' lives,” Deschane said. “Hopefully, this will continue to interest players to maintain their passion for the great sport. We would like to advocate for our young adults to take on a role as officials.”

Deschane lists Seymour and Xavier as the favorites to top the Bay Conference in 2019-20.

West De Pere boys’ basketball schedule

12/10 – Sheboygan North

12/13 – Xavier

12/17 – Menasha

12/28 – Rhinelander (at Menominee Nation Arena) – 1:30 p.m.

12/30 – De Pere – 4 p.m.

1/3 – @ Green Bay West

1/7 – Shawano Community

1/10 – Green Bay East

1/14 – @ Valders

1/17 – New London

1/23 – @ Seymour

1/28 – @ Menasha

1/31 – @ Xavier

2/1 – Wilmot Union – 5 p.m.

2/6 – Green Bay West

2/14 – @ Shawano

2/18 – @ Green Bay East

2/21 – @ New London

2/27 – Seymour

Editor’s note: All games begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.