The 2010-2011 Schedule

 
BURBANK, ILL - The following article was written by Matt Actipes of the St. Laurence Journalism Honors class.

After the let down of last year’s campaign, a .500 record would be great for the varsity basketball team. But is it possible? Coach Sevedge (’98) thinks so.

“A goal of a better than .500 record is very realistic,” Coach Sevedge said.

But why is it realistic? What is different about this year’s team?

“I think we are going to be better because we have more size,” Coach Sevedge said.

“And I feel that the team will be a little more used to the system we have put in place.”

The team is definitely bigger. In fact, three of the five starters, Steve Rockingham (’11), Richie Finger (’11), and Tim McGinty (’11) are 6’3” or taller.

This height gives the Vikings a huge advantage in the Chicago Catholic League. In fact, according to Coach Sevedge, “De La Salle is the only team in the Catholic League that has more height.” This Viking advantage should lead to improvements in both rebounding and low-post scoring.

Last year was Coach Sevedge’s inaugural season as head basketball coach, and it is understandable that the team could struggle because of the new system. In fact, Coach Sevedge expected his team to “take at least one year to get the wrinkles out.” But with a year of the coach’s system under their belts, the team should be more competitive. Coach Sevedge expects nothing less.

“Now the players know what to do. They know what to expect,” Coach

Sevedge said. “We will be running the same plays as last year, so our kids should be more comfortable when they are on the floor.”

Like varsity, the sophomore team is also looking to improve upon their ’09-’10 campaign.

“Last year’s team worked very hard in games,” Coach Forberg said, “but didn't sustain the same effort and intensity at practice. The guys this year seem to be hard workers who are truly committed to improving both as individual players and as a team.”

Coach Forberg has his eyes set on a winning season.

And both coaches, Sevedge and Forberg, have one other thing in common - the same game is circled on their calendars.

“Brother Rice. Always Brother Rice.” Coach Forberg said. And Coach Sevedge -“Friday, December 10th vs. Brother Rice at home. It’s going to be a big game for us to play in front of a good home crowd.”

The varsity and sophomore basketball teams start their regular season at home on December 3rd vs. Bishop McNamara.