By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Despite the fact that his team only has five returning players, Dowagiac basketball coach Greg Blomgren is hoping that the lessons learned in the Big 16 Conference will help the Chieftains as they move into a new league.
Dowagiac will play in the Wolverine Conference this season. The Chieftains were just 4-17 last year and are 13-51 in Blomgren's three seasons.
Returning for the Chieftains are Chris Primley, Amos Clark, Oscar Wilson, Andrew Cuthbert and Jamie Simpson.
All saw significant playing time the past few seasons and will be counted on to carry the load for Dowagiac.
"It all comes down to how does that crew compete against teams who are about the same size as us," Blomgren said. "We are on an even playing field now. Our focus switches to winning instead of trying to compete.
"There are going to be games we go into this year where we actually will play as the favorite rather than the underdog," Blomgren continued. "You look back at the last three years in the SMAC and there wasn't a game we were favored. We have the experience of playing against bigger, stronger and more athletic teams the past three years. I think that will help us."
Dowagiac must find a way to replace Mike DeRose, Shawn Irvin, David Stuppy and Jamere Bacon, who were all, lost to graduation. Those four players started a majority of the games for the Chieftains last season.
Hoping to make an impact are newcomers Chuck Mersereau, Ronnell Grady, Aaron Morgan, Shaun Bruens and Romero Reed.
"We lack depth, but if our bench can improve and help us out, I think we have a chance to have a good year," Blomgren said. "One of our strengths is going to be the experience of those five players. We also have a good mix of interior and perimeter players."
Blomgren noted that it is imperative that his squad develops an eight- or nine-man rotation.
Dowagiac doesn't know much about the Wolverine Conference outside of South Haven, which the Chieftains have played as a non-conference opponent the past few years.
"South Haven, Plainwell and Gull Lake are the three teams that I hear as the teams to beat in the league," he said. "We played Plainwell and Gull Lake in the summer and I feel confident that we can play with those teams."
Dowagiac may be moving into a new league, however, it will open up its season on Tuesday with an old foe.
The Chieftains travel to Stevensville to take on Lakeshore in the opener for both schools. The freshmen teams will kick off the tripleheader at 4:15 p.m.
The junior varsity game is set for 6 p.m., while the varsity tilt is set for 7:30 p.m.