By TYLER DRUMMOND
of The Gazette
The Amherst Falcons have started their 2003-2004 boys basketball season to the tune of an early 4-3 record (2-3 in the Central Wisconsin Conference large).
"We've got a young team this year," said head coach Gregg Jensen, whose squad boasts only three seniors and usually starts five juniors.
"We've got some youth and they just need to start clicking as a team," said Jensen. "It'll happen."
Rebounding and turnovers have led to the three losses for Amherst.
"We need to start crashing the offensive boards and stop turning the ball over," said Jensen.
To solve the problem, the Falcons are going to have to rely on their talented underclassmen to take this team to the next level.
Jeremiah Osborn leads the team as a junior point guard. "Jeremiah is learning the system. Our guard play has been weak the last few weeks and Jeremiah is really starting to turn that around. If we can eliminate the turnovers and have him take more of the reigns we'll be well off," said Jensen.
Sophomore Brandon Morgan is also expected to see time at the point guard position.
"He has to learn the same things as Jeremiah, which is taking care of the ball," Jensen said. Jensen also added that both his point guards need to learn when to "push the ball and when to fall back."
Though the guard position is being worked out, there's no question down low, as 6-5 junior Chris Page is back this season.
"Chris is a monster in the middle," said Jensen. "He's averaging 19 points a game and 11 rebounds a game but we need to give him some support so when he's double- and triple-teamed he can get rid of the ball with confidence."
The surprise for the Falcons this year has been junior James Stokes. "James has been surprisingly good for us this season," said Jensen. "He needs to be able to hit the outside shot with more consistency and also help out on the glass, especially on the offensive end."
Other players that will be looked at to step it up this season are Lewis Diver, Jason Schweitzer, Spencer Selbo and Shelby Suski.
One thing is for sure, as young as this team is, they don't lack any chemistry. "We have great chemistry, the kids really respect each other, they work hard and they really enjoy each other's company," said Jensen.
As for Jensen, he's back for his 20th season as the coach of Amherst. "It's a great job," he said. "I really love the sport and it's a challenge every year to take a group of kids and see how far you can go with them," said Jensen.
As for the team this year, he feels it will be exciting as the season rolls around. "We play man-to-man defense and we play hard. When we hit our shots on offense we're very exciting," said Jensen.