It should be a fun, exciting season for Bluejay boys

How the Waseca High School boys' basketball team will fare in the 2022-23 season is anyone's guess.

But the past indicates it will be a fun, exciting and successful campaign.

The Bluejays are an impressive 139-34 in head coach Seth Anderson's six seasons at Waseca, including a state championship two years ago and a state runner-up finish in 2019. Several players off those teams are currently on college squads.

The cupboard is not totally bare for this year's Jays, though it's not exactly completely filled.

Eight seniors graduated off last year's crew: Elijah Breck, Shaun Hulscher, Parker Link, Iasaac Potter, Carter McQuery, Max Gaytko, Brandon Pena, Jack Schumacher and Lucas Trumball. Break was an All-Big South Conference selection, averaging 17 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Hulscher earned all-conference honorable mention with an average of 9.6 points. Link averaged 8 points. Potter was the lone player to start every game last season.

The lone returning lettermen are guards, sophomore Damarius Russell and senior Tyson Reger.

Russell was a varsity football standout this fall, though it has been said that basketball is his best sport. Reger is one of four seniors along with Addison Sampson, Alexander Honstad and Jacari Jellum.

The rest of the roster includes juniors Laird Keeton, Zach Hulscher, Andrew Robran, Jacob Thompson, Noah Thompson, Cody Vagts, Rudy Moncada, Logan Heyer, Sabastian Teague and Christian Cisneros, sophomores Tausten Rup, Carson Ohnstad, Max Howard and Cameron Karsten and freshman Deron Russell

The Bluejays had an uncharacteristic losing record last year, finishing 10-18 overall and 4-6 in the Big South.

Prognosticating the upcoming season is tough, though it's safe to say the Bluejays expect to learn a lot and improve a lot throughout the season.

"It's hard to say what I think our record will be and things like that," said Anderson. "We are mostly focused on bringing an energy to practice and working hard every day. We have a brand new team this year, so catching them up on terminology, offensive/defensive principles, and our sets will be a season-long project. We are looking to play with a high level of energy and toughness. We will certainly be better late in the year than we will be early."

Anderson, assisted by Austin Nagel, Brian Rupe and Richard Guse, said the Bluejays have a group of guys who work hard and are very coachable.

"We should have decent depth with a lot of guys who can handle the ball and contribute," said Anderson.

The Bluejays' biggest weakness is obvious: a lack of experience at the varsity level.

The key to success in 2022-23?

"Figuring out how to take care of the basketball while defending at a high level," said Anderson, who sees New Ulm, Marshall and Jackson County Central as the teams to beat in the Big South. He favors Maple River and LWCM at the section level.

How will the Jays fit in? It should be enjoyable to find out.

"This is a team where it will be really fun to coach every day," said Anderson. "We have a lot of high-character kids who are intent on giving high effort. This will be a fun season of growth for everyone in our program."

 

2022-23 Waseca Boys' Basketball

Dec. 2 at United South Central 7:15

Dec. 6 WEM 7:30

Dec. 9 at Fairmont 7:30

Dec. 13 at NRHEG 7:15

Dec. 16 Jackson Co. C. 7:30

Dec. 20 Hope Academy 7:30

Dec. 22 JWP 7:30

Dec. 29 at TCU Invitational TBA

Dec. 30 at TCU Invitational TBA

Jan. 3 Medford 7:30

Jan. 6 at New Ulm 7:30

Jan. 13 at Blue Earth Area 7:30

Jan. 14 Glencoe-Silver Lake 1:30

Jan. 17 St. Clair 7:30

Jan. 20 Fairmont 7:30

Jan. 24 St. Peter 7:15

Jan. 27 at Jackson CC 7:30

Jan. 28 Jordan 7:30

Jan. 31 Belle Plaine 7:30

Feb. 3 Blue Earth Area 7:30

Feb. 7 New Ulm 7:30

Feb. 10 at St. James Area 7:15

Feb. 14 Sibley East 7:30

Feb. 17 Marshall 7:30

Feb. 21 at Pine Island 7:15

Feb. 25 Big South Showcase 10 am

Feb. 28        Big South Championship TBA

March 7-16 Section TBA