Low numbers, high expectations for Dutch basketball team
The St. Marys Area Flying Dutchmen basketball team may only have 14 players on their roster this season, but the team has their sights set on making a return to the District 9 4A boys’ championship game.
“We ended the season as runners up in the district final. We hope to return to the district final and come away with the title this year,” said St. Marys Area Flying Dutchmen head coach Bill Shuey.
Shuey is in his fourth season at the helm of the Flying Dutchmen basketball program and noted that his squad has some talented players returning this year and he is excited to see how they come together as a team.
“Our numbers are low this year, so we will lean heavily on the experienced upperclassmen and plan to help the underclassmen gain necessary experience. Staying injury-free will be tantamount to our success,” Shuey said.
Making up the Dutch basketball team this year are seniors Antony Nedzinski, Dan Schutz, Matthew Davis, Quin Gavazzi, and Lucas Bauer; juniors Ben Paul and Alex Mertz; sophomores Louis Nedzinski,
Drew Schutz, Cooper Regulski, Tysen Beimel, and Devlin Caskey; and freshmen Braeden Chicola, Brock Mertz, and Christian Schmidt.
“We are anxious to see the team’s chemistry gel so that each individual’s role will mesh into a cohesive unit. Each player needs to understand and accept his role,” Shuey said.
Shuey cited the experience of his upperclassmen as being among the team’s strengths.
“Hopefully they will be good team leaders,” Shuey said.
Looking at the season as a whole, Shuey remarked that his squad will need to be competitive in every game in order to achieve their goals.
“There are a lot of good teams out there, so we will have to work hard to accomplish our goals of returning to the district championship and beyond,” Shuey said.
Shuey encouraged fans to come support the team throughout the season, especially during their home games at St. Marys Area High School.
“This will be an exciting team to watch,” Shuey said. “I trust the spectators will enjoy a night of great competition.”
Assisting Shuey this season are James Cooney, Jason Schutz, and Jason Nedzinski.