STACYVILLE, Maine — Last year, the Katahdin Cougars went 8-10 and missed getting into the Class D playoffs. However, the Cougars’ first-year coach Rick Larrabee would like to see the Cougars’ record reversed this season,with 10 or more wins. He is hoping to reach the playoffs and get a home preliminary game.
“The expectations are high,” said Larrabee. “We want to be competitive in every game.”
The Cougars lost three players to graduation, Wyatt Morse, Forrest Heath and Gunnar Russell, but they return a strong nucleus to their starting rotation in three seniors, along with a pair of juniors.
The Cougar senior captains, Todd (T.J.) Young (guard/forward) and Gavin Russell (forward) will play alongside senior teammate Brandon Drew (center).
“Todd can handle the ball well, penetrate and pull up [to shoot] from most places. I will look for him to be a contributor in scoring, rebounding and in the assist column,” explained Larrabee. “Gavin works extremely hard at whatever he is doing. He hustles for loose balls and crashes the boards. I look for him to contribute in rebounding, scoring and being a “pest” on defense. And Brandon is another player who works hard around the basket. But, he can also step away and hit the 3-pointer. He will add more scoring and rebounding to the team.”
Juniors Nick Lane (guard) and Tyson Porter (forward) round out the starting five.
“Nick likes to drive to the hoop and hand out assists,” said Larrabee. “He will have games where he can score in bunches. He is a defensive threat and is very quick. Tyson takes care of the basketball very well. He works hard under the basket and does all the intangibles that don’t get mentioned in the stat sheets.”
Looking to help the team off the bench are senior forwards Cody Brownlee and Alex Lane.
“Cody fills the big man role along with Brandon,” said Larrabee. “Cody works extremely hard on defense in the post, hustles on every play and is willing to fight for any rebound that is within his reach.
“Alex has solid size and sets good screens,” added Larrabee.
Junior reserve guard Dakota Reinhardt will be the Cougars’ sixth man or he may possibly slide into a starting position.
“He can handle the ball very well and is a good midrange shooter,” said Larrabee. “He likes to slash to the basket and will crash the boards, while working hard on defense.”
Varsity players who will swing up from junior varsity are juniors Josh Lane, forward, and Daniel Moody, guard, along with sophomore forward Devin McGraw; and freshmen forward Brody Guiggey and guard Hunter Craig.
“I am looking for steady improvement from Josh and Daniel will handle the ball and is a decent shooter,” Larrabee said. “Devin is a good shooter, plays hard and should get some varsity minutes.
“Brody and Hunter both should get some good minutes off the bench,” he added. “Brody is a good shooter and knows the game very well. He is willing to fill whatever role you ask of him. Hunter handles the ball well and can shoot.”
The Cougars will use their unity and team speed, along with their aggressiveness to knock opponents out of their comfort zones.
“However, we need to continue addressing ball movement, shot selection and clock management,” added Larrabee.
Assisting Larrabee this season are volunteers Steve Lane and Jon Poisson, along with junior varsity coach Harry Doughty. The team will be managed by Ashlie Cullins, bookkeeper; Emily Knowles and Bailee Moody-Kay, stats and Kendra-Anne Schilkowski shooting video.
Since the Cougars play in both the Aroostook League and Penobscot Valley Conference, Larrabee noted that each game is going to be important.
“Class D is going to be very exciting and close this year,” he said. “But, a few teams we are anxious to play are Southern Aroostook, Central Aroostook, Schenck, Easton, Hodgdon and Bangor Christian.”
