For Tecumseh boys’ basketball coach Roger Culbertson, the newest edition of Arrows basketball could be one that Tecumseh fans haven’t seen in a while in Reynolds Gymnasium.
With the loss of three starters from last year, including post player Dante Clark, the Arrows might want to dump their basketball shoes for track shoes to enjoy the ultimate success this season.,
“We will have to play uptempo this year, the most we have in a long time,” Culbertson said. “We will need to in order to have success.”
“This year will be unknown a bit, as we lost three starters including Clark who made us a different team last year as he changed shots at the rim. We will have to play quicker without as much size this year.”
Two players who return who will make this team go are Malik and Darius Quisenberry, two of the most talented players in the conference.
“It’s good to have them back, and we have good support kids around them,” Culbertson said. “Some of the kids haven’t been tested yet, but they will be ready when the season starts. We will definitely try to wear teams down since we have some good depth this year.”
Malik Quisenberry leads five seniors on the roster, and will be counted on for solid leadership this season.
“We are expecting big things from him, we will go as well as he goes,” Culbertson said. “He makes a lof of things happen, and has worked at his game.”
Rylan Magsaysay also returns at 5-foot-8, and his improvement has been noticed by Quisenberry.
“He brings a lot of things to the table to help us out,” Culbertson said. “He didn’t have his best year offensively last year, but stepped up in the summer. He is one of the better defenders we have, and may be small in stature, but plays well.”
Caleb Linder is a 6-foot senior who can shoot from the perimeter, while two other seniors look to contribute. Matt Crain is a 6-foot-3 athlete who hasn’t seen a lot of varsity time yet, but has been a good rebounder so far. Grant Heckman is also a 6-foot-2 senior who will see his first varsity action, but has played well in the pre-season.
Three juniors land on the roster, including 6-foot-4 Ross Warren, who transferred over from Greenon High School.
“He is a good athlete, and will be ready to go for us,” Culbertson said. “He will help us in transition.” Other juniors are 5-foot-11 Brody Martin and 6-foot Michael Green, along with 6-foot-2 Reid Hale and Brett Bogie.
Darius Quisenberry returns as a sophomore, and the 5-foot-10 guard averaged 19 points per game as a freshman last season.
“He has really worked at his game and when he is on the court, we are a different team,” Culbertson said. “He is hard to guard. He can get by a bigger kid, and can shoot over you.”
Clay Mastin also is back as a sophomore, and the 5-foot-7 guard brings a lot of intensity, and worked hard in the off-season.
Culbertson feels the CBC is wide open this year, and hopes this squad is contention.
“Tipp has a lot of kids back and lost a lot of close games last year,” he said. “Shawnee lost a couple of good players but always brings the defense.”
“Tillman is back at Bellefontaine. Kenton Ridge is also back with some good kids, and Stebbins is a challenge. There are a lot of unknowns right now, we would like to think we will be there competing.”
