By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
After losing nine of its 10 players from last season's Central Wisconsin Conference small division championship team, the Rosholt boys basketball team was picked to win only four conference games.
So much for predictions. With nine newcomers with no prior varsity experience, the Hornets proved the prognosticators dead wrong and wrapped up their second straight conference crown last week.
"I'm as surprised as anybody that we'd be back-to-back," Rosholt coach Steve Schoofs said.
The lone returnee from last year's team, all-conference senior Ryan Zdroik, and his teammates used the prediction in the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook as motivation.
"I used it big time," Zdroik said. "I wanted to prove to everybody that thought we couldn't do it."
In order to prove them wrong, Zdroik had to blend in with nine new teammates - two seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and a freshman - who never logged a single minute of varsity time.
"Playing varsity is a big step for everybody," Schoofs said, citing differences in quickness, strength and size. "I knew it would be hard for them, but they adapted to it."
Schoofs said he knew he had good basketball players but didn't expect the team to come together as quickly as it did.
"I thought we'd get better as the year went on. For us to be able to gel as a cohesive unit is a testament to the players," he said. "I was really pleased with the way the team has bonded."
Rosholt got off to a great start, in part, Schoofs said, because there were no expectations. "It allowed us to relax. It was the David against the Goliaths," he said.
David took down the big boys early in the season. The Hornets won a big non-conference game at home against Manawa and then knocked off one of the conference favorites, Iola-Scandinavia in the conference opener.
"The first part of the season, we had some guys that were just happy to be here. That showed we belonged," Schoofs said.
"They started thinking, 'Hey, we're not that bad.' You cannot buy that confidence."
The road to their second straight title wasn't smooth sailing, though. Rosholt had a three-game losing streak but bounced back with wins at Port Edwards and Iola-Scandinavia. "We could've caved in right then and there. That was our turning point," Schoofs said.
The Hornets also got some help from other conference teams along the way. Bowler and Iola-Scandinavia struggled early in the season, allowing Rosholt to get a jump-start in the standings.
"We've caught a few breaks. (The second time around) they were better basketball teams than the first time we played them," Schoofs said.
Even after facing the Hornets once, opponents had trouble keying on certain players. Teams did focus on Zdroik, who is averaging 22 points and leads the team in rebounds, assists and steals. But after him, it was anybody's guess on who would follow Zdroik in the scoring column.
"It's hard to guard us. No one knows who's going to get hot," Schoofs said. "Eight out of our 10 players had double-figure games, another had nine points. Every game it's different."
Zdroik realized his role as a team leader and knew if he was double-teamed, there was someone open for a decent look.
"We have a lot of shooters," Zdroik said. "If the defense keys on me, I kick it out to them and let them have some points."
Added Schoofs: "Ryan showed us the way, in some ways, and we feed off of him a lot."
Zdroik also had to learn a different style of play on offense. Last year, the Hornets had big players who could play in the post. But this season, Rosholt only has five players taller than 6-0.
"Offensively, we changed the basic rules of motion offense. We've got a more 'spread the floor,' perimeter offense," Schoofs said.
Defensive style changed a bit too to adapt.
"They bought into a different system. We do more zones than we've ever done," Schoofs said.
Schoofs said it's hard to say that either of his two conference championships was more special than the other because they came under different circumstances. Two years ago, Rosholt was one of the favorites to take the title.
"In many respects, it was easier because when you're not expected to do something you can relax and perform," Schoofs said.
"When you're expected to win, if you lose, you're letting people down. It may be more rewarding because it was unexpected. But last year paved the way."