Heights boys aiming for more

Year 1 of the Nolan Krentz-regime featured more downs than ups. More lows than highs. More losses than wins. Wisconsin Heights hopes to change that this winter. The Vanguards opened their second season under Krentz with a road game at Dodgeville on Tuesday. And Heights’ second-year head coach is hoping for bigger and better things this time around. “I feel like we have a much closer group this season,” Krentz said. “We have 27 players out for basketball in our program so that has made practices so far much more competitive as we hope to be able to field teams at three levels this season. There is a comfort-level as well with this being our second year together and hopefully that familiarity pays off this year.” Heights went 8-17 last season and was 0-10 in the Capitol South Conference. But the Vanguards believe they can take a step forward this winter. Heights will be led by seniors Mike Fancsali and Reed Adler.   Fancsali was second on the team in scoring last season with 10.1 points per game and led the Vanguards in rebounding (5.9 rpg). Adler was third on the team in scoring last year (9.8 ppg) and led Heights in assists (3.0 apg).   “I expect both to have big senior years and be in the mix for all-conference this season,” Krentz said of Fancsali and Adler.   Seniors Logan Duhr (4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and Ethan Myers (4.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg) return, as well, after being in the starting lineup for much of last season.   “That experience should be beneficial as both will be counted on to be key contributors for us this year,” Krentz said. Seniors Lukas Lemke, Manyon Parman, Trey Theobald, and Brayden Van Riper, as well as juniors Zach Sander and Austin Stephenson will all be competing for expanded roles.   “All saw playing time on varsity at various times last season and we will them to take that next step as the opportunity for increased playing time will be there this year,” Krentz said. The Vanguards hope to improve their defense, rebounding, and turnovers.   Heights gave up 61.7 points per game last year, including 72.6 ppg in conference play. “We will need to be much improved in that area to be more competitive this season,” Krentz said.   The Vanguards are somewhat undersized, so rebounding remains a concern. Heights also must lower its turnover total after averaging 22.8 turnovers a game last year. Marshall and Cambridge are the teams to beat in the conference, while Belleville and New Glarus will be in the mix as well. But Heights hopes it can be a factor come January and February.   “That is our goal, to be playing meaningful games down the stretch this season, and to be a much tougher out for teams in our conference and regional,” Krentz said.  Wisconsin Heights     Boys Basketball Roster No. Name Grade Height Pos. 1 Mike Fancsali 12 6’2” F 2 Ethan Myers 12 5’11” G 3 Logan Duhr 12 5’10” G 4 Reed Adler 12 6’0” G 5 Lukas Lemke 12 5’11” G 10 Brooks Behn 10 5’11” G 11 Zach Sander 11 6’1” G 12 Brayden Van Riper 12 6’5” F 13 Manyon Parman 12 5’8” G/F 15 Austin Stephenson 11 5’9” G 21 Graham Crowe 9 5’10” G 22 Trey Theobald 12 6’1” F 23 Jayden Starcer 9 6’2” F 24 Connor Valenta 12 5’8” F 25 Charlie Reader 10 5’9” F Coach: Nolan Krentz Managers: Scott Duhr, Zach Watkins