Hullum new hoops coach at Riverside

Milwaukee Riverside announced its new boys basketball coach earlier this week, and his name may be new to followers of the City Conference.

Justin Hullum comes to Riverside from Racine Horlick where he spent the past four seasons as a varsity assistant to Jason Treutelaar. Before that the 41-year-old spent 13 years as an assistant at Racine St. Catherine’s under hall of fame coach Bob Letsch.

“I still talk to Coach Letsch,” Hullum said. “In fact, I’m going to his house next week and we’re sitting down and he is going to give me everything he has, to be honest with you, which is just priceless.”

Hullum's hiring filled one of the area’s top jobs. Tyrone “Rock” Lewis resigned in April after nine seasons, three City Conference titles and one sectional crown.

Rising senior Carlos Curtis is expected to return, and the school has a recent history of drawing talented players.

“I want to create something of our own that is positive off what he has already done for the program,” Hullum said of Lewis. “To follow in those footsteps in an honor, but at the same time, I’m ready.”

Hullum also has extensive experience coaching club teams. He is a special education teacher in the Racine Unified School District.

He met with the team and the parents Thursday, but Hullum said Curtis reached out to him by email earlier.

“I thought that was tremendous leadership on his part, so we’ve been in touch,” Hullum said. “Talking about basic expectations. I’m really excited to coach Carlos. He is phenomenal. I’ve got him on tape for at least four games. I watch some of the younger players. I’m really excited. Tough kids.”

Next season's Riverside squad will miss twotime area player of the year Terrence Lewis and senior guard/forward Alondes Williams. Curtis, a Division I prospect, averaged 19 points per game. The team also played promising underclassmen in rising junior guard Jason Webb (5.6 ppg) and rising sophomore Aaron Greer (4.5 ppg).

“Most of the kids that hit the floor, they can all play,” Hullum said. “But it’s the other intangibles that I’m truly concerned with. … A lot of kids can shoot the basketball, but can you make yourself accessible to colleges or wherever they want to go. Can they aspire to see their dreams come true?”