Elk Mound boys will play under new leadership in the 2024-2025 season
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THE ELK MOUND boys’ basketball team has a new head coach for the 2024-25 season. Dennis Arneson has taken over the success program which finished last sesaon with a regional championship and a 22-5 record. The Mounders did graduate seven players but does return two starters. The varsity and junior varsity players are pictured above. Front row (L to R): Mason Mohr, Landen Lipscomb, Keston Niven, Brody Niven and Peyton Vieth. Middle row (L to R): Sam Heath, Lucas Svee, Zebulon Robinson, Kameron Deirmeier, Parker Dutzle and Cale Knutson. Back row (L to R): Jack Buchholtz, Aidan Schindler, Logan Jerome, Zack Brantner and Brennan Loiselle-Christianson. —photo submitted
by Marlys Kruger
Sports Correspondent
ELK MOUND — A familiar face around the Elk Mound gym will take over the leadership of the Elk Mound boys’ basketball team for the 2024-2025 season.
Dennis Arneson has coached at various levels in the Elk Mound system for 15 years and will have some big shoes to fill after Chris Hahn announced his retirement. Hahn finished his second stint with a 42-11 record in his two years, winning a Dunn-St. Croix Conference championship two seasons ago and a regional championship last year. The Mounders were 22-5 last season and lost in the sectional semifinals to Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau 61-55.
Arneson will have to replace seven players via graduation, all who were key contributors to the Mounders success. Sam Wenzel and Kaden Russo were both first-team All D-SC Conference players and Brady Amble, Grandt Mueller, Lucas Johnson, Caleb Beskow and Zane Brice all saw valuable playing time for the Mounders.
Seniors Cale Knutson and Logan Jerome are the only returning starters and according to Arneson, are hungry to prove themselves as some of the top players in the conference. Senior Kameron Diermeier is back after taking his junior year off playing hoops and is expected to be a key contributor at a guard spot. There are a handful of juniors who will be fighting to prove themselves and earn minutes on the floor as well as a couple of sophomores who are in the conversation. Incoming freshman Zebulon Robinson also has a lot of talent.
Although the Mounders will be relatively small, they do have the length of Jerome and Victor Noller as well as the ability to shoot and quick guard play. A weakness for the team, besides having just two starters back is the Mounders have very limited basketball experience after graduating such a large senior class. The other huge question mark Arneson has is whether his team can defend consistently and rebound the basketball.
Statistical goals for the season are to win the rebounding margin by 10 rebounds, have less than 12 turnovers per game and shoot 20 or more free throws and make 70% of them.
Arneson believes Spring Valley, Durand-Arkansaw and Glenwood City will be top contenders for the conference title. Spring Valley brings back a loaded roster including Cade Stasiek and Masyn Wolf, and Durand-Arkansaw, the defending conference champion, return Parker Almsted and Dane Bates. Arneson also thinks his team will be solid as always.
Assisting Arneson this year are Dave Lew (20 years), Brandon Redwine (1 year), Jon Linzmeier (15 years), Eric Knutson (5 years), and Dexter Curry (first year).
The boys will open the season Tuesday, December 3 at home versus Arcadia.
2024-25 Roster
Seniors: Cale Knutson, Kameron Diermeier, Logan Jerome, Parker Dutzle, Brooks Burcaw, Aiden Schindler
Juniors: Dalton Banaszak, Lucas Svee, Jack Buchholtz, Sam Heath, Mason Mohr, Brody Niven, Victor Noller, Peyton Vieth, Josh Wald, Perry Jenson, Arlo Tormoen
Sophomores: Dru Schiszik, Tim Flemming, Dylyn Plets, Zach Brantner, Wyatt Clauson-Zahara, Easton Chisholm, Landon Lipscomb, Logan Osborne, Brennan Loiselle
Freshmen: Zeb Robinson, Eathan Brindle, Miles Woolover, Daniel Lew, Evan Ottosen, Derek Frinack, Paiton Nyren, Colton Plemon, Keston Niven, Jack Stroh, Graedin Miller, Ashton Buss