MFL MarMac Boys Basketball Preview: Bulldogs aim to improve every day
The MFL MarMac boys basketball team includes (front, left to right) manager Olivia Kirby, Cooper Kuehl, Ashton Phillips, Rial Carlson, manager Emma Niedziejko; (middle) Bryce Jones, Sawyer Ehde, Landon Meyer, Tristan Bacon, assistant coach Mychal Moon; (back) head coach Eric Dettbarn, manager Kolten Strong, Easton Lange, Carter Lightfoot, Carsten Pester, Wesley Corlett, Eli Hanson, Kynnick Corlett, Cael Lightfoot and assistant coach Cory Donlon. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Ball handling and shooting will be strengths for the MFL MarMac boys basketball team this season, according to head coach Eric Dettbarn. The Bulldogs will also rely on quickness—particularly at the perimeter.
“One of our downfalls right now would probably be size. We’re not very big,” he said. “We’re going to have to be a little bit more physical, and we’ll see how that goes throughout the year.”
The varsity roster has 14 players, including five seniors: Carsten Pester, Carter Lightfoot, Wesley Corlett, Eli Hanson and Kynnick Corlett.
Lightfoot was a second team all-conference player a season ago and will continue to fill a starting role. Hanson was an honorable mention pick, but is currently injured.
“We’re just kind of playing it by ear right now as far as he’s concerned. He would come back as a starter,” Dettbarn said.
Wesley Corlett also comes into the season with some varsity starting experience.
Additionally, Dettbarn will look to returning juniors Tristan Bacon and Bryce Jones for growing contributions.
“So we have some kids with some experience, and then we’ve got some kids like Landon Meyer and Cael Lightfoot, sophomores who should give us some time off the bench,” he noted.
The addition of New Hampton, Crestwood and Waukon to the Upper Iowa Conference will make the Bulldogs’ schedule more challenging this year, acknowledged Dettbarn. MFL MarMac will be with them, North Fayette Valley and South Winnshiek in the big school division.
“We’ve got to play teams like New Hampton and Cresco and Waukon twice this year, and some of the schools that are still in the conference, in the smaller division, we only get to play them once this year. Our schedule’s definitely tougher this year just because of the new conference format,” Dettbarn said.
The coach’s current goal is for the Bulldogs to improve every day.
“Hopefully we can improve every day and continue to get better throughout the year,” he said.
MFL MarMac began regular season and Upper Iowa Conference play at home versus Waukon on Dec. 2. The team will head to South Winn on Dec. 5.
