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by Ryan James
The BREAKDOWN
posted 08-04-2009
 When the 2009-10 class AA rankings come out from the Breakdown there is a strong chance that New London-Spicer will be the number one ranked team. The backcourts from Minnehaha Academy and Staples-Motley are good but what the Wildcats have taking care of the ball is second to none in this class. Plus they have talent up front that can also dominate games.
These Wildcats have been to state three of the last four seasons (winning it all in 2008) and it would be an upset if they didn’t arrive for the fourth time in five seasons. Directing the talent is Matt Cordes who is respected as one of the top head coaches in all of Minnesota. In six years at New London-Spicer, Cordes has put together a record of 136-39 with a winning percentage of 77 and those numbers will be even more impressive after this season.
In August at the Pacesetter Sweet 16 the Wildcats gave Hopkins (the preseason number one in class AAAA and defending state champions) all they could handle and both teams had all their top players at the event. At one point The Wildcats had a 26-19 lead before the Royal athletes went on a 15-0 run. New London-Spicer came back in the second half but fell 85-80. The school of 520 lost to that of 2,475 but earned its respect and that of the rest of the teams at the event. The Cats defeated Maranatha Christian Academy, Ellsworth, and Minnetonka to finish 3-1.
The Wildcats bring back four of their five starters and six players of last year’s eight man rotation. Starter Jay Moten and reserve Chris Tobkin were lost to graduation but the experience and growth of the rest of the starters should more than make up for their loss. Seniors Aaron Johnson and Erik Tengwall as well as junior Jayme Moten played a lot of basketball this spring/summer with the Minnesota Comets always competing against the state’s best and at times against the nation’s best players.
Tengwall should be the leader of the team and he’s a talent that can play both guard positions well. As a scorer Tengwall can hit shots beyond the arc and he can do so while being contested. Erik is also a tough-minded player who will attack through defenders and get to the cup plus he’s a guy you must watch when he doesn’t have the ball because he’s so active. Offensive boards and back cuts to the rim are other ways he puts points on the board. On the other end of the floor Erik gets things done equally as affective. He sits down in his stance and will get after opposing guards with the best of them.
Ball pressuring defense is another reason as to why the Wildcats will be a nightmare to play against. With Tengwall and Jayme Moten harassing turnovers will be the norm and transition buckets will blow open games. Moten can sit down with the best of them starting with that wild hair flowing all over and moving to his active feet and hands. Jayme also has a good shooting stroke so when the ball is swung to him Moten will take pressure off of the guys inside.
And there is definitely something to defend inside with 6-foot-6 Aaron “Moose” Johnson and 6-foot-5 Justin Zylstra. Johnson is a load to stop on the block with his wide base, good footwork, and soft touch. His low post game will bring defenders off of the backcourt and then Zylstra is going to be a beast on the offensive glass. Justin is a physically imposing player with muscle and athletic ability who can absorb contact in the air and finish. Zylstra also hit some three-pointers during the Pacesetter.
Rounding out the starting line-up for the Wildcats should be Aaron Jenny, a 6-foot-2 wing. Jenny was the 6th man last year and he’s an active player who gets after things defensively, he will get his team some boards, and Jenny showed people at state that he can produce in double figures just like the four guys previously mentioned. First off the bench could be senior Sam Schmid who also played a lot as a junior. |
Katrina Newman,
GIRLS BASKETBALL
