By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Wisconsin Basketball Hall of Fame coach Forrest Larson is about to begin his seventh season coaching at Lake Geneva Badger High School. Larson coached at Badger from 2003 to 2009 with an overall record of 70-63, and led the 2007-08 team to the state tournament in Madison.
Larson stepped down in 2009 to spend more time watching his daughter, former Badger standout Taylor Larson, play for UW-LaCrosse. When Badger decided to move in a different direction this season, Larson answered the call to replace Darin Lottig.
Larson said he still feels he has a connection with the kids in the program at Badger because he was involved with the youth program when he coached here the first time, and many of the players on the roster were sixth- and seventh-graders then. Being hired last spring also gave him the opportunity to make sure the players were working hard in the offseason.
“We’ve had a core of players work hard in the weight room this past summer and fall,” Larson said. “They also worked hard on their skills in the offseason.”
Larson said, as is familiar with his teams, he wants his team to be up-tempo and push the ball at every opportunity, and the importance of the three-pointer will return to the Badger offense. Past Badger teams were known for shooting them early and often under Larson.
“We will look to shoot multiple threes,” Larson said. “We need to establish an inside game as well, and this is proving harder than shooting threes, as usual.”
Larson has some size to work with in 6-foot-6-inch Austin Jackson, 6-foot-5-inch Chase Krueger, and 6-foot-4-inch Lincoln Wieseman.
Larson said the team has a good mix of veteran junior and senior players and some good-looking young sophomores.
“Everyone has to get better, but we really need to get people better to provide some depth,” Larson said. “Depth will be an issue for us.”
Larson said a team is always good when a coach can make some substitutions and have a better lineup on the floor.
Larson will lean on returning players like seniors Wieseman, Bryant Sontag and Joey Freeman. Jake Berhorst is a returning junior who played a lot as a sophomore last year. Krueger and James Bowen come up from last year’s JV team and will get minutes. Sophomores Mason Dumez, Ryan Sproul, David Mikrut and Nathan Gibson have also been working with the varsity group.
“Everyone in this group can expect to play to start the season,” Larson said.
“Everything in practice is new and this has been a struggle so far,” Larson said. “It is going to take some time to get where we want to be.”
Larson said he will employ a motion offense that will be fed by a man-to-man defense that will press and lead to pushing the ball on offense after forced turnovers. Despite the challenges of learning the new systems, Larson said the effort has been great and that is the most important thing.
“The only expectation we have is to get better every day,” Larson said. “We are hoping for good things.”
Larson said Burlington is the favorite to win the Southern Lakes Conference as the Demons return a really good point guard and have good size and athletes.
Badger opened its season with a non-conference match-up at home against Baraboo on Tuesday night. The Badgers host Sussex Hamilton on Friday and travel to Delavan-Darien on Dec. 9.
Other non-conference match-ups on the Badger schedule include home dates with Kenosha Indian Trial and Kenosha Tremper. Badger takes on Whitewater, Slinger and Kenosha Bradford on the road.
Girls win home opener
The Badger girls won their home opener 62-30 over Kenosha Bradford on Nov. 26. Badger jumped out to a 16-6 first-quarter lead and was never challenged after that.
Sophomore Jennifer Freeman led the way with 15 points. Brianna Flower and Courtney Oomens both chipped in eight. Lily Quinn missed the game because of injury.
Badger traveled to Delavan-Darien Tuesday night and travel to Westosha Central on Friday. The Badgers host Union Grove on Dec. 9.
