Miguel Ley Oct. 28, 2008

Newcomers fuel high hopes for Dutch

PELLA--As  coach Mike Boschee scans a fortified Central College men’s basketball preseason roster and ponders its potential, his lone task for the 2008-09 campaign is clear. “I just hope I don’t screw them up,” he smiles. It’s not quite that simple. Five seniors graduated from the club that delivered the program’s first winning season in 13 years. Three of the departed players from that 14-10 effort last year were starters for most of four seasons and took with them individual school records for career assists, 3-point goals and field goal percentage.

But the returning talent, combined with the well-timed arrival of three promising transfers and the return of two players after a year’s absence, gives the Dutch roster the physical tools Boschee has longed for since taking over the Dutch program in 2003.

“6-6, 265 … 6-9, 200… 6-7, 220…6-6, 210,” Boschee recited. “Our size, strength and athleticism are much improved.”

Boschee doesn’t know if the 2008-09 Dutch will win but he’s confident they won’t be outmuscled.

Yet the challenges are many.

“The big thing is trying to fit everything together,” Boschee said. “We’ve got the flexibility to play some different ways. We have to figure out the best way for this group to play. That’s something we have to try to get done in the preseason.”

The Dutch also need to learn to be a team.

“We’ve had good chemistry in the past and good chemistry is always a big part of our program,” Boschee said. “Getting people to sacrifice a little for the betterment of the team is important as well.”

Defense, rebounding and sharing the ball are emphases in workouts. Boschee said the Dutch are improving.

“Practice has been exciting,” he said. “We see glimpses of really good play and then there are some bad spots in practice as well. But I really like the potential of this group.” 

Point guard

The Dutch are most experienced in the guard court. Miguel Ley, a 6-foot junior, is a two-time letterwinner. He was a second-team all-Iowa Conference pick and was Central’s top scorer with a 15.6-point average with 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals.

Ley played a lot at off guard but will spend more time at the point this year.

“Miguel’s got to change his mindset a little bit so that he’s not just a scorer but a playmaker as well,” Boschee said. “He’s been doing well so far.”

Ley will still be used at off guard as well with 6-2 sophomore Brian Laughlin or 5-11 sophomore transfer Demarco Turner at the point.

Laughlin, up from the junior varsity, gives the Dutch more size in the guard court.

“He’s a really strong player,” Boschee said. “He may create some match-up problems for other point guards.”

Turner, a former Des Moines East High School standout, transferred from Iowa State.

“He’s a very skilled combo guard,” Boschee said. “He’s a good shooter, penetrator and passer with good vision.”

Justin MadsenOff guard/small forward

Justin Madsen, a 6-1 junior, hit 23 3-point baskets last year in a reserve role at off guard.

“He’s a good shooter and a good defender,” Boschee said.

Also back is 6-5 junior Ben Kennedy, who appeared in 12 games last season, and 6-2 junior Nathan Nees.

“Ben’s a good shooter who runs the floor really well,” Boschee said. “Nathan is a good leader who really works hard.”

Mark Holan, a 6-4 junior, rejoined the squad after a year’s absence. Boschee said he showed promise as a freshman, when he played in seven games.

“It’s nice to have him back,” he said. “He’s got good size and he’s a great competitor who loves to rebound and run the floor.”

Jim Kwiatkowski, a 6-4 sophomore, was a standout on the junior varsity last season.

“Jim is a tough, high-energy kid who loves to compete,” Boschee said.

The Dutch got a boost with the addition of transfer James Chapline, a 6-5 sophomore who Boschee had recruited 2 years ago out of Ogden High School

“James has good toughness and size,” he said. “He’s a good inside/outside player who has the ability to post up smaller defenders.”

Zach CooperCenter/power forward

Junior Zach Cooper has added a little bulk to his 6-9 frame. Cooper averaged 4.5 rebounds with a team-high 1.3 blocks while scoring 3.4 points a game. Boschee thinks he can contribute more offensively after earning a starting spot last year with his defense and rebounding.

“He’s expanded his game,” Boschee said. “He’s got better post moves, his shooting has improved and he’s a little stronger.”

Preston Davidson, a 6-6 junior, is a two-time letterwinner. He averaged 4.7 points and 1.7 rebounds last season.

“Preston has improved his overall game,” Boschee said. “He’s more confident, he’s improved his low-post moves and he’s able to shoot it as well.”

Drew Ness, a 6-6 sophomore, only appeared in six games as a freshman but Boschee was encouraged by his play.

“Drew has good post moves but he’s also a good inside/outside player who’s a good 3-point shooter,” he said.

Leadership will come from the team’s two seniors, 6-5 David Poettting and 6-4 Greg Levenhagen. Poetting was emerging as one of Central’s top outside scoring threats prior to the 2006-07 season when he went down with a season-ending knee injury. He returned last year still feeling the effects of the injury and saw limited action.

“David’s a really good 3-point shooter,” Boschee said. “He’s moving much, much better this year.”

Levenhagen gave the Dutch a lift off the bench last season, averaging 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 16 games.

“Greg is a good inside/outside player,” Boschee said. “He can shoot the 3-pointer as well as drive a little bit.”

Central’s front line got a big lift with the return of 6-7 junior Loren Liming. He elected to not compete prior to the start of his freshman year, but returned this fall with a renewed desire for the game.

“Loren is a low post who moves well,” Boschee said. “He’s a strong rebounder with great hands.”

Another welcome addition is 6-6 junior transfer Grant Franzen.

“Grant is a little more experienced than some of our other posts,” Boschee said. “He also has good low-post moves and can step out and shoot it as well.”

Boschee is counting on the increased muscle translating into rebounds. Central was outboarded last season by 39.0-35.9 per game.

“Our rebounding should be much improved,” he said. “Last year our margin was not very good. I think that will change.”

But work remains.

“Our conditioning is not where it needs to be yet,” Boschee said. “And we need to be better defensively. We have the makings of a good defensive team. But if we’re going to compete for a championship, we have to pay attention to those two areas—defense and rebounding. Those are things we have to take pride in.”

The increased bulk doesn’t mean Boschee will abandon Central’s up-tempo style of play.

“We’re still going to run like crazy on missed shots,” he said. “Our style is going to stay the same but I think we’ll be much more balanced with our offensive production.”

The Iowa Conference

Boschee doesn’t see many weaknesses on his club, but the same could be said for the Iowa Conference. Buena Vista and Loras have been dominant teams in recent years and return veteran squads that will be difficult to overcome.

“The conference is tough as ever,” Boschee said. “Some good players graduated but there are a lot of good players returning. Buena Vista and Loras are probably the favorites.”

The Dutch have made a slow but steady climb in five seasons under Boschee. After inheriting a club that was 5-21in 2002-03, Central forced its way into fifth place last season. Moving into a contender’s role after not winning a league title since 1994-95 is a quest that won’t be completed with talent alone. Yet Boschee can’t wait to try.

“Although we haven’t competed for a title in several years, the guys realize we have a chance to have a really good team and a successful season,” Boschee said. “And they know that it’s going to take a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve.”