Truckers Won’t Let Hot Start Become A Distraction
Clintonville Boys Basketball hasn’t seen a 7-0 start since the 2003-2004 season, but that’s where they sit currently, on top of the North Eastern Conference with Luxemburg-Casco at 4-0. Head coach Shawn Howe believes much of the team’s success comes from playing together.
“I think they are doing a really good job playing as a team” said Howe. “Talent has some to do with it, but I think if you can get guys to play together, they can overcome a lot.”
Howe may have learned that lesson from experience. While it’s been a while since the Truckers have found this kind of success on the court, Coach Howe and his team are adjusting to being the ones other opponents are gunning for.
“Usually we are the ones that can walk in the gym, go under the radar and sneak one out, but now, we have the target and we can’t sneak anymore so there is no more element of surprise when we go and play somebody.”
Clintonville is now ranked number 9 in Division 3 basketball and has started to garner the attention from media and other opponents. They are now facing a challenging 3-game stretch, beginning Thursday in Little Chute. Senior leader Tyler Petermann explains, their mindset remains the same.
“We are not thinking about any of that because honestly none of that really matters.” Petermann added they are taking it one game at a time.
Petermann and fellow senior scoring leader Nathan Krueger have been an unstoppable force, averaging close to 20 points a game each. In spite of their accomplishments, Krueger says the success has come from playing collectively.
“We have been passing the ball a lot more” said Krueger. “Last year we played as individuals and this year everyone has their role”. Krueger said because of that, good things are happening.
Clintonville’s next three opponents come on the road and have a combined conference record of 8-4, which includes fellow conference leader Luxemburg-Casco next week. For now, the Truckers are just enjoying the ride.