Elk Mound boys return six letter winners for 2022-23 season
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by Marlys Kruger
Sports Correspondent
ELK MOUND — After losing just two players via graduation from a year ago, the Elk Mound boys’ basketball team will rely on six returning letter winners to lead the way for the team this season.
Gone are starters Brex Todd and Ethan Johnson but new head coach Chris Hahn stated the Mounders have a significant amount of returning experience for the upcoming season and they bring back the bulk of their scoring and rebounding.
Hahn took over the coaching job from Mike Kessler who left the district. Hahn orginally retired from the position in 2016. He coached eight seasons for the Mounders and accumulated a 131-59 record and took the team to the WIAA state tournament once.
Two time first team All Dunn-St. Croix Conference pick Kaden Russo returns for the Mounders after producing 15.6 points per game (ppg) and 5.6 rebounds per game (rpg) a year ago. Hahn looks forward to his growth as a rebounder and defender this season. Ryan Bartig averaged 9.5 ppg last season, 2.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He was a second team all-conference selection and Hahn believes he is one of the best point guards in the area. Sam Wenzel had a great off season and looks to be one of the best post players in the conference after averaging 7.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 2021-22.
Sophomore Cale Knutson returns after posting 7.5 ppg his freshman season. Hahn thinks he is a tireless leader and has really developed his game beyond his three-point sharpshooting. Aiden Bartholomew (4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg) played some big minutes last year and Hahn expects him to be an outstanding defender and rebounder this year and should increase his scoring as well. Jerome Delikowski (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg) also played significant minutes last season and looks to be a threat to score on the interior and be a defensive presence.
Newcomers include Grandt Mueller, Brady Amble, Logan Jerome, Kamron Diermeier, Zane Brice, Lucas Johnson and Caleb Beskow.
Hahn believes the team’s strengths are excitement to get in the gym, perimeter shooting, and overall experience. He is unsure of the weaknesses but how quickly the kids can adjust to a new coach and systems, consistent defensive effort to get stops, limiting turnovers and interior scoring may be a concern.
Goals for the team are to compete for a conference championship and to win a regional title.
“We hope to play well as a team, share the basketball, and become the best defensive team we can possibly become,” Hahn said.
Hahn expects Durand and Mondovi to be contenders for a conference crown. Both return a lot of experience from last season and historically have been strong programs.
2022-23 Roster
Seniors: Ryan Bartig, Aiden Bartholomew, Jerome Delikowski and Evan Webster.
Juniors: Brady Amble, Caleb Beskow, Zane Brice, Lucas Johnson, Grandt Mueller, Kaden Russo, Sam Wenzel, Lance Gorham, Riley Krall, Tyler Loy and Jacob Osborne.
Sophomores: Cale Knutson, Logan Jerome, Kam Diermeier, Brooks Burcaw, Beau Borgwardt, Parker Dutzle, Sam Hemenway, Londyn Jenson, Keinin Miller, Jace Peterson, Aidan Schindler and Landon Kasakaitas.
Freshmen: Jack Buchholtz, Sam Heath, Perry Eldridge, Mason Mohr, Kaden Moyer, Brody Niven, Victor Noller, Lucas Svee, Peyton Vieth, Teegan Wright and Dalton Banazak.