Kapaun Mount Carmel basketball: Following a winning season

Published Nov. 18 at 7:07 p.m. | Last updated Nov. 18 at 7:16 p.m.

• Gallery: Kapaun Mount Carmel coaches and players

Boys

Coach: John Cherne, second season

Last season: 16-9, won 5A title

Girls

Coach: Marvin Estes, second season (with coach mug)

Last season: 21-4, won 5A a title

Outlook Boys

During Kapaun’s first practices a year ago, boys coach John Cherne had to urge his players to push hard all the time. He had to challenge and work to get them to give all they had for the entire practice.

He’s had to do that less this preseason. The reason? Well, it certainly helped that Kapaun won the 2011-12 Class 5A title.

“It gives me instant credibility,” he said. “All my practices are upbeat. Last year at this time I was trying to get them to go hard. I don’t have to push them like that now.”

Kapaun should have another strong season, despite graduating Michael Martin and Nick Cook.

“This group really wants to succeed,” Cherne said. “As a group collectively, they’ve experienced success and they want to improve on what they did last year. This group wants to make their own path, their own way.”

Kapaun’s inside game will be a strength with senior Jeremy Licktieg (6-foot-6). Cherne expects Licktieg to be even more of a presence inside because he’s facing the basket more. There’s also Toby Baxter and Timmy Hamilton (6-3), who is a brute on the football field, rebounds well and will set a perfect screen.

At guard, senior Braden Hullings, the leading returning scorer with 7.4 points, has had some back issues, but Cherne has high hopes for him in the second half of the season.

“When he goes, I think people will be surprised by him,” Cherne said. “He’s very explosive toward the basket.”

Another surprise could be senior Damien Akao.

“He’s got great jumping ability, he’s quick, he’s a great defender. He’ll do the dirty things; he’ll dive on the floor and he’s at the right place at the right time.”

Cherne does have concerns, though. The point guard position needs to be filled. The Crusaders must play the transition game well, a staple of the City League.

“I’ve got some question marks,” he said. “But if we can not turn the ball over, that would be key…. I think I can play eight, nine kids and be comfortable with it.”

Outlook Girls

Marvin Estes laughed when asked what the Kapaun girls do for an encore after winning the 2011-12 Class 5A title in his first season.

“Well, you go for your second state title, I guess,” he said. We lost a bunch from last year. We lost some awfully good leadership and awfully good talent from last year, but I’d be less than genuine if I said that we didn’t have some good players coming back.”

Kapaun’s definitely loaded.

There’s sophomore Sam Bachrodt, whose versatility can be exploited defensively and offensively. She can play from the forward to point guard positions and is an outstanding shooter.

Grace Hagan and Lindsey Medina will likely run the point. Estes said Hagan is called the “rubber lady” because she “can steal the ball right out of the air.”

Inside, Kapaun can go to Blake Bullock, a 6-foot-1 senior, who has the ability to handle the ball on the perimeter and is a strong rebounder.

Kapaun also has 6-2 junior Sydney Kuhn, who has made an oral commitment to play volleyball at Notre Dame, and is so athletic and quick.

Molly McAuliffe has always had a pretty jump shot, but she’s also improved her inside moves. Hannah Lienhard (6-0) is thee strongest of the Crusaders’ inside players and she can get those easy baskets off offensive rebounds.

“Our challenge this year is can we have a good enough three-point threat like we did last year,” Estes said. “If we can, it helps us open up the inside game, and if we can have a balanced attack, we’ll be a much better team.”

— Joanna Chadwick

Schedule

November — 30 – East.

December — 4 – at South; 7 – Southeast; 11 – at North; 14 – Carroll.

January — 5 – Andover Central (Koch Arena); 8 – West; 11 – at Northwest; 15 – Heights (girls); 17-19 – at El Dorado tournament (boys); 22 – Heights (boys); 24-26 – Newton tournament (girls); 29 – at East.

February — 1 – South; 5 – at Southeast; 8 – North; 9 – at Carroll; 15 – at West; 19 – Northwest; 21 – at Heights.