Grandview junior point guard Koby Klaus averaged 22.7 points per game for the Eagles last season, and was slated to be the team’s go-to person again this winter.
But Klaus tore his ACL during an open gym back in October, and will be out for the entire season. Klaus also led the Eagles in assists with 6.4 per game.
“You can’t replace what Koby brings to the table,” Grandview head coach Chris Miller said. “He does a lot of different things. It is going to alter the way we play.”
Three starters are back from the Eagles 14-12 season a year ago. Leading the way is 6-1 senior Sam Huskey, who averaged 10 points per game last season.
“Sam plays everywhere and plays with a lot of emotion,” Miller said. “He has great leadership skills. He’s going to try to get to the basket and is a strong rebounder.”
Another returner is 6-0 senior Jeremy Quinn, who is coming off an injury-plagued campaign. He averaged 4.2 points per game last year.
The third returning starter is 6-0 sophomore Colton McAnally, one of the team’s better outside shooters. He scored 3.6 points per game last season.
“He’s a hard-working kid,” Miller said.
Miller will turn to three juniors who played mostly JV ball last year for help. Guard Anthony Dolde, who had 10 points in a 57-32 loss to Northwest last week, will try to help fill the void. Others include Dru Stranz (5-10) and Mitchell Zoph (6-2).
“We’ll probably try to play a little faster this year,” Miller said of the team’s pace of play. “We’ll have to see where we’re at.”
This is Miller’s fourth year and the Eagles have the most numbers they’ve ever had out for the team. They just don’t have a ton of experience.
“Everyone coming off the bench played JV,” Miller said. “We’ll be learning on the fly.”
The bench brigade is led by 6-2 sophomore Ely Moore.
“He is raw but very athletic,” Miller said.
Also included is sophomore Noah Richardson, a 6-footer who can play anywhere on the floor.
Sophomore Garret Gliedt (6-0) is a strong ballhandler who will provide big minutes off the bench.
Sophomore guard Bryan Martinez (5-9) is a guard who is very active defensively. Also in the mix is freshman Dennis Hunt (5-9) who Miller says has a high hoops IQ.
“They don’t have a lot of experience,” Miller said of the group. “They will be kind of be thrown into the fire.”
Grandview finished 3-2 in the JCAA last season.
Without Klaus, Miller said the Eagles have to take a different approach.
“New guys have to step up in different roles,” Miller said. “Our goal is to be the best team we can be by the beginning of February. There will be a learning curve. We just want to be the best we can be. It’s going to be a collective effort.”
No. 6 seed Grandview was scheduled to take on No. 3 seed Bunker on Tuesday in the Caledonia Tournament.
“We do have some great kids and they are wanting to step up to the challenge,” Miller said. “We’re going to have to rely on a lot of youth. They all have great attitudes.”