Montague Basketball Season Preview: A Season of Renewal and Opportunity as Wildcats Look to Build on Strong Core

MONTGAUE – A season full of optimism and confidence kicked off its practices Monday. Montague Basketball finished with a (13-10) record and lost in the first round of districts. After losing three key starters to graduation, the Wildcats pose a new starting five ready to do damage.

Nick Thaler is heading into his 2nd season as head coach of Montague. Thaler was previously Montague’s varsity girls’ coach before making the transition.

RETURNING STARTERS: Cole Herremans (Junior, Forward, 6’4″); Kellan Francis (Senior, Guard, 5’11”).

KEY RETURNEES: Riley Mulder (Senior, Center, 6’5″) Jack Degan (Senor, Guard, 6’0″); Braylen Vansickle (Senior, Guard, 6’0″).

KEY NEWCOMERS: Cortland Schneider (Senior, Forward, 6’3″)

With an older yet less experienced core, Montague will need to relay on the returning starters as well as returners to step into open starting spots.

SEASON OUTLOOK: The Cats’ scheduled somewhat of a difficult schedule with Spring Lake on the road as well as North Muskegon on the road. Montague also scheduled many games against WMC Rivers opponents in which they have fared well in those games the past few seasons.

BOTTOM LINE: The Wildcats must get off to a fast start with Hart and Orchard View to open its season. The veterans of the team will need to step up after losing a plethora of seniors’ last season. Thaler and his guys will need to find ways to win tight games. Last season, Montague lost four games by less than eight points.

FULL ROSTER

• Courtland Schneider
• Jack Degen
• Braylyn VanSickle
• Noah Raeth
• Riley Mulder
• Cole Herremans
• Elijah Eilers
• Logan Hansen
• Trent Benninger
• Kellan Francis
• Kyle Earnest
• Korbin Stencil

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