After going 6-15 last year, changes were made with the coaching staff for the Dexter boys’ basketball program. New head coach Jason Rushton has some talent to work with but more than that, he has a group of players dedicated to turning that record around.
“As with any first-year coach in a new program, it is difficult to say where we will end up as players are adapting to a new defensive style, a new offensive system and a new approach to teaching and player development,” said Rushton, who is starting his first year in Dexter and 13th in coaching. “But we can say that where we are now versus where we were in May, this should be an exciting season and we look forward to each week being a challenge in a tough SEC.”
Rushton has been impressed with his team’s commitment – they have certainly put in the time and effort in the off-season.
“Our strengths will be our work ethic and our commitment to working towards greatness,” he said.
And there are still plenty of things to work on before they reach greatness.
“We are always working towards developing great habits and understanding what it takes to become a champion,” Rushton says. “Each day we have shown improvement both in understanding our defensive philosophy as well as our offensive system. As long as we continue to improve on a daily basis, then March should be a fun time for the Dreadnaught community.”
Top returning players include senior G/F Marco Lucchesi, who was an All-Conference player last season and is solid at both ends of the floor. Seniors Ryan Trinkle and Bobby Pnacek will look to provide the Dreads some scoring from the perimeter while senior Kellen Porter will be one of the key players on both ends of the floor. Junior F Colin Parachek is another great leader who can score, defend and rebound.
Top new players include junior G Aiden Dexter, who can fill it up from the outside and can put the ball on the floor and score as well. Sophomore PG Cal Bavineau has been battle tested all summer leading Dexter’s offense and has proven that he can become a great on the ball defender. Rushton says freshman F/C Brennan Parachek “is going to make an impact and be a force in the SEC for all four years.”
Another of the team’s strength is the depth. Seniors Chad Robards and Dane Weigers, juniors Lucas Koone and Sam Sterlitz are “phenomenal leaders and team first players.” “This team will become as great as this group leads us to be,” Rushton says.
Dexter opens the season Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Plymouth Salem. The Dreadnaughts’ home opener is Dec. 17.
