Off and running
The wait was excruciating.
But now that they’re back, they have big plans.
Wisconsin Heights’ boys basketball got clearance in late-December to begin its season. And even though the Vanguards will have a truncated year, they fully expect to make some noise.
Heights opened its season last Friday with a 69-67 loss at Brodhead. The Vanguards rebounded, though, and posted an 81-28 win at Barneveld last Saturday.
“It has felt great being able to practice plan and watch game film with real purpose,” Heights coach Zack Colby said. “There was definitely a greater respect and appreciation for the two games we were able to get in this past weekend.”
Rightfully so.
After Heights got the green light to return, euphoria swept through the program.
“The boys were pumped and as equally as excited for our first game,” Colby said. “It has been a long off-season and it feels great to be back competing again.”
Colby quickly began the taxing job of putting together a schedule. That was tricky because the overwhelming majority of the state was already playing and had their schedules completed.
For now, here’s what the Vanguards’ schedule looks like:
Jan. 12 — Heights at Waterloo
Jan. 14 — vs. Marshall at JustAgame Field House in Wisconsin Dells, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 — at Cuba City, 3 p.m.
Jan. 19 — at New Glarus, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 — at Cambridge, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 — vs. Belleville at JustAgame Field House in Wisconsin Dells, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 — at Pardeeville, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 — at Waterloo, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 — at Darlington, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 — at New Glarus, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 — at Cambridge, 1:30 p.m.
Now that the Vanguards are back on the court, they have extremely high hopes.
Senior wing De’Shawn Barsness has been named first-team all-Southern Capitol Conference each of the last two seasons.
Last year, Barsness averaged 16.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He also averaged 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block per contest.
Barsness shot 55.5% on field goals and 33.3% on three-pointers. And his top conference game came in the second meeting against Cambridge, when he erupted for 29 points and 18 rebounds.
“He’s a threat from all areas of the floor and continues to improve as a shooter each week honestly,” Colby said of Barsness. “So he will inevitably attract a lot of attention this season.”
Junior Devin Brabender was named honorable-mention all-conference last year. Brabender averaged 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game a year ago, and added 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and shot 45.9% from the field.
Sophomore Derek Adler is another returning starter.
“Devin Brabender and Derek Adler are also returning starters, so we expect solid performance from them all season long,” Colby said.
Sophomore Jacob Brabender and senior Everett Buol have also stepped into the starting lineup, while Carson Hosking has provided a boost off the bench. Weston Parman and Lathan Parman are also expected to be key reserves.
“Jacob Brabender has stepped into a starting role nicely and Everett Buol is a senior starter who is getting his shot,” Colby said. “He hasn’t had much scoring through our first two games, but we know he’ll come around. I’ve been super happy and impressed with his defensive improvement and mental attitude shift he has made.
“Carson Hosking is a great leader off the bench. Weston and Lathan Parman are great role players, as well, coming off the bench, who can both shoot it well and will defend with downright tenacity despite their lack of size.”
In Heights’ loss to Brodhead, Barsness led the way with 22 points. Devin Brabender added 15 points, while Jacob Brabender had nine and Hosking scored eight.
Heights held a 67-66 lead late in the game, when Brodhead made a well-contested three-pointer with just two seconds left.
On Saturday, the Vanguards rolled to an easy win over Barneveld.
“I think we had five guys in double figures that night, which is maybe the thing that made me the most happy about that one,” Colby said. “Our defense was obviously pretty stout too.”
Now that the Vanguards are off and running, they hope to make some noise over the next month — and be ready to roll when the postseason arrives in February.
“We have more experience coming back this year than last season, so I expect us to be fully competitive within our conference schedule,” Colby said. “I don’t think the conference has ever been deeper, as New Glarus, Marshall, Cambridge and Belleville are all very solid this season.
“But I also don’t think there is a juggernaut like the past four seasons — often No. 1 ranked in state New Glarus. We like to think about our conference as the mini-Big 10 — stacked, but the possibilities are there!”
