(Atlantic) The Atlantic boys’ basketball team started practice on Monday, led by four returning starters and seven other players who will figure into the rotation.
Atlantic Head Coach Dalton Franken says the Trojans return four starters from last season’s squad. Gavin McLaren, Shelton Mualia, Hudson McLaren, and Grant Petty. Gavin McLaren led the team in scoring last season, averaging 12.86 points per game. Coach Franken says four other seniors will figure into the mix with Hunter Nelson, Sawyer Tarrell, Corbin Ritter, and newcomer Kale Jensen.
Coach Franken says depth is certainly one of the team’s strengths this season.
Coach Franken says that with the nine to eleven players competing for playing time, he expects practices to be competitive and high-paced. Franken says the focus will be on the offensive end of the floor. He looks to raise the 48-average points per game last season. Coach Franken is setting a goal of 60 points per game this season.
Coach Franken says raising the free-throw shooting percentage from 55.7 percent last season is another point of emphasis.
Atlantic opens the season on December 2 at home against North Polk. This will be the second of two games. The Atlantic girls host St. Albert at 6:00 p.m., followed by Atlantic and North Polk. Former Atlantic Head Basketball Coach Alan Jenkins. Coach Jenkins recently left Southeast Polk for the Head job at North Polk.
