Newcomers may fill key gaps for Wildcats

After losing several seniors last year and gaining a few surprise players, Leopold is counting on quite a bit of unreleased talent to provide a spark heading into the new season.

The Wildcats lost five players to graduation, but coach Carlton Thoma is expecting much of the floor time this season to come from three players who didn't participate last season.

"Our five seniors last year did a heck of a job," said Thoma, "but I'm confident we can fill in the gaps this year."

Senior Jason Brotherton is returning from knee surgery that sidelined him last year, while senior Nathan Thele will return to the Leopold basketball program after exiting after his freshman season. But Thoma may rely heavily on junior Kelly Stause, who has never played basketball on the high school level.

"Kelly's going to get some good playing time," Thoma said. "He's really looking good in practice."

Aside from the newcomers, seniors Brandon Bueter and Lucas Horrell will provide much of the offense. Bueter averaged 10 points per game last season, and Horrell averaged six points. Besides offense, Thoma also looks to the two seniors to fill the team's leadership roles.

"Brandon and Lucas are going to be the leaders," Thoma said. "And they're really the only scoring we've got coming back."

Leopold also will count on a mixed group of junior and seniors off the bench for some offense.

"It's more than just a couple players, though," Thoma said, "because we're going to have some of these other kids step up, too.

"It's hard to gauge this group right now because of all the newcomers."

So far, Thoma is pleased with practice, especially considering that his new-look team has hardly played together at the high school level.

"One thing for sure is that they'll play hard,"Thoma said, "and that's shown in what I've seen in practice."