CHARLO BOYS BASKETBALL: Run and gun
<p>Dillon Delaney was a sniper for the Vikings last season and look for him to be just as deadly from long range this season.</p>
Two of the best qualities to have in a basketball team are
athleticism and smarts. That doesn't bode well for squads who
encounter the Charlo Vikings this season because they're chock full
of both.
Last season, the Vikings ended an impressive year with an
appearance in divisionals, but look to go above and beyond that
success in 2011-12. And they have plenty of reasons why they could
do just that.
Two of the best qualities to have in a basketball team are athleticism and smarts. That doesn't bode well for squads who encounter the Charlo Vikings this season because they're chock full of both.
Last season, the Vikings ended an impressive year with an appearance in divisionals, but look to go above and beyond that success in 2011-12. And they have plenty of reasons why they could do just that.
"We have a lot of smart guys," Mike Brown, Charlo head coach, said. "They all have a pretty high basketball IQ and are really athletic."
And they're experienced. Dillon Delaney, Kolten Andrews, Tra Ludeman, Webb O'Neill and Stephen Delaney return. All saw considerable playing time last year and will be ready to improve on last season's finish.
"This year, we want to finish," Brown said. "Last year, we started off well, but we got caught up with being ranked and didn't finish well."
In order to get back in that position, the Vikings will need to rely on the things they do well. If they do that, not only will they be a really fun team to watch, but they'll be really fun to watch well into March.
"We run the floor and have kids who can shoot from outside and handle the ball well," Brown said.
One area Charlo might be vulnerable in is rebounding after the departure of 6'2" senior Chance Rosenbaum. Stephen Delaney, also at 6'2" will be counted on to add some boards for the run and gun Vikings. But if they're as active in games as they have been at practice, rebounding shouldn't be a huge concern.
"The boys have been working hard," Brown said. "Especially coming off of football season, they're practicing hard and itching to get going."
They'll be able to get into game mode when they head to the Victor Tournament to open the season on Friday.
CHARLO BBALL
The Skinny - Expect Charlo to have plenty of kids that can push the ball as Vikings games will be very hectic this season.
Keys to success - The Delaneys, Stephen and Dillon, will be a huge part of the basketball team this season.
Battle for the District - This district is going to be absolutely stacked this season with a good Superior squad, a sneaky Noxon squad, a veteran Two Eagle team and Mission Valley rival Arlee - there are going to be no easy games on the schedule this year.