With the most returning starters head coac
With the most returning starters head coach Tom Vanderlaan has had in his three years at the helm, the Newton boys basketball team wants to break out this season on the hardwood.
And with the rest of the league falling back closer to the Cardinals, that opportunity for an improvement is there.
“The offseason commitment was the best we have had in my years at Newton,” Vanderlaan said. “We need a break out season, and I think this is it for us. Maybe this is the year we show that we are moving forward as a program.”
Vanderlaan is confident but wants to stay grounded and realistic at the same time. He knows he has a strong corps of starters and thinks that 10 wins is a realistic goal this season.
“We won seven my first year but dropped back to three last year,” Vanderlaan said. “Maybe you take two steps forward and one step back sometimes. But I really think we can get to 10 wins this year. I want to see the whole program improve. We need to continue to grow. Hopefully, you’ll look at all levels and see improvement.”
The Cardinals were 3-18 last year but played in league with the state runner-ups in Class 3A and Class 2A. The Little Hawkeye Conference will not be as loaded this year, so the chance to take a step forward is there.
Leading the way will be returning starters Devin Hugen, Colten McDermott and Ryan Van Manen. Also, taking the place of departed starters Drew Long and Dustin Brisel will be Josh Bates and Grant McDermott.
Hugen, a junior, and Colten McDermott, a senior, are the leading returning scorers from last year at six points per game. They work well together and should provide the Cardinals with the ability to fastbreak regularly.
“Both Colten and Devin have high motors, and it is going to be fun watching them run up and down the floor,” Vanderlaan said. “I am excited to see this team push the ball up the floor. We better be in good shape.”
Vanderlaan said one of the team’s strengths is Colten McDermott and his ability to provide leadership, high energy and a strong basketball IQ.
“The kids feed off Colten’s energy,” Vanderlaan. “They love playing with a guy like Colten.”
Hugen has improved his toughness and is taking the ball harder to the rim this preseason and in the offseason. Vanderlaan said fans should see a much different player when the season kicks off Tuesday, Dec. 1, against Pella.
Both Hugen and Colten McDermott were honorable mention all-conference members last year.
Van Manen is the other returning starter. He will provide the team with a low-post presence but also is slimmer, quicker and more explosive this year. The biggest key for Van Manen is trying to stay on the floor.
Van Manen also averaged around six points per game last year and led the team in rebounds.
“He worked on staying out of foul trouble this summer and is doing a much better job,” Vanderlaan said. “He is in better shape and added some range to his jump shot, too.”
Grant McDermott, a senior guard, is the team’s best shooter but also improved his defense this offseason.
“He knew he had to get better defensively and he has taken that as a challenge,” Vanderlaan said. “He is a great shooter. He can fill it up when he is on.”
Bates will again be the team’s defensive stopper and guard the opposition’s best player. He also improved his shooting and will remain as scrappy as ever.
After the starting five is a bit of a mystery for Vanderlaan. He knows there are players there but is still unsure where they fit in and how well they will do at the varsity level.
Junior Spencer Osborne will be the backup center. He is different than Van Manen in the fact that he is a face-up shooter.
Other players battling for time at the varsity level will be junior Carson Claypool, a move-in from Kansas, and sophomores Brian Rose, Scott Nilles, Reid McDermott and Shamus Baltisberger.
“The depth we have is just unproven,” Vanderlaan said. “I am not yet sure how deep I’ll be able to go. It’ll be fun to see it shake out.”
The Little Hawkeye Conference is good but not near as good as last year.
“I just think the league comes back closer to us this year,” Vanderlaan said. “It should be much more competitive.”
