CAPE CENTRAL BOYS HIT HARD BY GRADUATION

Cape Central boys basketball coach Brett Reutzel's first year as head coach couldn't have gone much better last season.

The Tigers won 21 games, claimed the University High Christmas Tournament and finished the season with a district title.

But eight seniors that made life a little easier for Reutzel have graduated, leaving the Tigers with one of their more inexperienced teams in some time.

Four of those graduates -- Nathan Owen, La Velle Lewis, Laurence Jackson and Emory Hayes -- are playing basketball in college and will be sorely missed. But seven seniors and four talented underclassmen should help keep the Tigers' winning attitude intact.

"All of them have a chance to play and all bring their own little `spice' to the team," said Reutzel. "It will be a challenge to find out which five have the best `flavor' when we get them on the court.

"We've got a vast array of talent."

Three seniors -- Gabe Wunderlich (6-5), Chris Burgerson (6-5) and Travis Cox (5-11) -- return with some quality experience from last year. Bergerson and Wunderlich will provide most of the size for the Tigers, with Wunderlich working on the inside and Bergerson mostly on the outside.

"Gabe's a very strong post defender," said Reutzel. "I anticipate him being one of our leading rebounders and he's shown some signs in practice this year of being able to put the ball in the hole."

Bergerson is the top returning scorer from last year with 5.2 points a game.

"If I had to pick a go-to player right now, he would be the one I'd pick," said Reutzel. "He's our most versatile player and he started some last year. He's a complete player."

Cox is currently battling junior Travis (T.J.) Williamson for the starting point guard position. While not known for his offense, Williamson's defense is what makes him most effective.

"He's extremely quick," Reutzel said. "He's a great defender because of his quickness and how hard he works. He'll have to play a larger roll in the offense this year."

Williams was the junior varsity point guard and possess a little more of an offensive touch.

"He's a creator," said Reutzel. "He can shoot the ball pretty good, but he's not near the defender Travis is right now. They could both play in the backcourt at the same time."

Two other seniors are returning with some experience from last year. Aron Meystedt (6-1) and Drew Witvoet (6-1) will provide depth and leadership.

"Aron's a deadly shooter; we'll look for him to be our primary outside shooting threat," Ruetzel said. "Drew's very strong and athletic. He's got the mentality to be a good leader."

Two other seniors are making a return appearance to the basketball court after missing last season. Better known for their football exploits, Tatum Kitchen (6-2) and Justin Blackmon (5-8) can also hoop it up.

"As you saw on the football field, Justin is a tremendous athlete," Reutzel said. "I'm looking at him to be a defensive stopper. He's not a great outside shooter, but he can certainly take it to the hole and finish."

Kitchen missed last season with an ankle injury suffered late in the football season.

"Tatum's a lot like Witvoet only he can slide down and play the four spot because of his strength," Reutzel said. "He's a big body who's capable of playing in the paint as well as the perimeter."

Two other juniors -- Kelly Illers (6-3) and Nick Swiboda (5-9) -- and sophomore Ross Conner (6-3) will fill out the rest of the roster. Conner is currently battling Wunderlich for a starting post position.

"Of those 11 players, I'm not afraid to play any one of them," said Reutzel. "We may not have a lot of varsity experience, but these players have been in the program and know how things operate."

The Tigers open their season next Tuesday at home against Notre Dame.