Randolph enters season ranked No. 1 among Division 4 schools
posted by Mark Miller at 11/3/2009
By Mark Miller
WisSports.net Editor Entering the season as the top-ranked team in the state at the WIAA Division 4 level is nothing unusual for Randolph.
In fact, the Rockets have been tabbed No. 1 in the preseason six times this decade by the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook, a feat no other school in the state in any division can come close to matching.
Randolph edged Sheboygan Christian and defending state champion Benton for the top spot in Division 4 in the upcoming edition of the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook, which will hit the streets in mid November.
Each time the Rockets entered the season ranked No. 1 this decade in the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook, they went on to win the Division 4 state championship, capturing state crowns in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Coach Bob Haffele, who has won more state championships (seven) than any other coach in the history of the WIAA, certainly hopes that trend continues in 2009-10.
The Rockets return two starters from a club that went 21-3 a year ago in senior forward Kyle Kelm and junior forward Brian Kampstra.
The 6-foot-9 Kelm is a four-year varsity performer for Randolph who is currently ranked No. 8 among state players in the class of 2010 by WisSports.net. Kelm, who has verbally committed to attend UW-Milwaukee, averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game as a junior en route to earning first-team all-league honors in the Central Division of the Trailways Conference.
“A winning tradition, success at the junior varsity and varsity levels and depth at the guard positions will be our strengths,” Haffele said. “Gaining confidence and playing with confidence is a question mark. Our players need to understand and accept their roles while also develop trust in their teammates.”
Second-ranked Sheboygan Christian nipped Randolph in the sectional semifinals last March before falling to third-ranked Benton in the sectional title game. All three schools once again are in the same loaded sectional.
Sheboygan Christian returns two first-team all-league performers in senior forwards Lee Veldkamp and Joe Meerdink, while Benton boasts a talented trio of senior Michael Droessler, junior Matt Savatski and sophomore David Neis.
The 25th edition of the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook will be shipped in mid November. This year’s edition of the WBY includes conference-by-conference previews, hundreds of photos, statistics, rosters, schedules, team and player rankings and much, much more.
To order your copy of the WBY, simply go to
www.wishoops.net and click on the ordering info link next to the cover of this year’s edition.
And now, here are the preseason team rankings for Division 4:
1. Randolph … Rockets have won five state titles in the past eight seasons. 6-9 Kyle Kelm leads the way.
2. Sheboygan Christian … Three starters return from club that stunned Randolph in sectional semifinals last year.
3. Benton … 2009 state champs return a gifted trip in Michael Droessler, Matt Savatski and David Neis.
4. Barneveld … Coach Jack Capelle will build around rugged senior Logan Johnson.
5. Luck … Senior Carson Giller and junior twins Alec and Cole Mortel are key returning players.
6. Seneca … All-league picks Ethan Grimsled and Dylan Lessard lead the way for coach David Boland.
7. Suring … Junior forward Chad Strehlow tops the list of returning players for the Eagles.
8. McDonell Central … Macks figure to gain confidence competing in the ultra-tough Cloverbelt West.
9. Catholic Central … New coach Eric Henderson has two proven warriors in seniors Sam Wagner and Brian Fliess.
10. Green Lake … Senior Brad Brooks and sophomore Matt Van Sycoc lead the way for Lakers.
HONORABLE MENTION: Bruce, Clayton, Cochrane-Fountain City, Gilmanton, Monticello, Newman Catholic, North Crawford, Potosi, Prentice, Rib Lake, Rosholt, Royall, Williams Bay.
Comments 3
On
11/4/2009 11:15:57 AM
sportsfan wrote:
Mark. I want to hear about Hookstead for Randolph!
On
11/9/2009 11:12:51 AM
gophersfan111 wrote:
really??? Seneca???? seneca???? sorry not gonna happen. Dylan and Ethan are good, but dont make them ranked sixth
On
11/9/2009 3:24:35 PM
Indestructible wrote:
barnevled is deep this year, senior and junior dominated team, playing 12 deep. benton got to high of a ranking 3 very good players with a weak supporting cast. SCC and randolph will be good, enough said
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