Men's Basketball
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Men's Basketball Coach Dave Gibbs
518 S. 7th Avenue
Wausau, WI   54401
(715)  261-6253  VOICE      (715) 261-6333  FAX
e-mail: dgibbs@uwc.edu

(888) FOR-UWMC x6253  Husky HOTLINE

November 1, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UWMC Men's Basketball Open Defense of Conference Championship

The 1998-99 version of the UWMC Huskies men's basketball team faces a tall order - defending the school's first conference championship in twenty-five years.  The team must also follow a squad that won 39 games in two seasons.  Last year UWMC finished 20-6, including a 14-2 Wisconsin Collegiate Conference record on the heels of a 19-6 mark the previous year.  Captains Matt Kock and Greg Arnett, both of Lakeland H.S. (Minocqua, WI) have moved on to Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) where they are expected to step in and contribute to the Vikings '98-99 campaign.

The team is led by three sophomore letter winners, who will serve as the team's tri-captains.  Jeff Schneider (Wausau East) steps in at the point guard position, Steve Zimmer (Sauk Prairie H.S., Prairie du Sac, WI) returns at the off-guard, and John Ramirez (Sauk Prairie H.S., Prairie du Sac, WI), a 6'5" post player, returns in the post.  Ramirez and Zimmer were both starters at different times during the '97-98 campaign, averaging 11.9 and 3.9 points respectively.  Ramirez added just over 7 rebounds per game.

The Huskies have some talented freshmen, however, and they will be expected to contribute extensively to the team's success. Barry Messman (Colby) and 6 '4" Jeremy Wright (Owen-Withee) were both named all-conference in the Cloverbelt Eastern Conference.  Messman, a 6'2" forward, led his team in scoring and rebounding his junior and senior years.  Ryan Grant (East DePere), 6'7" post, joins the team after being named honorable mention all-conference in the Bay Conference.  D.C. Everest standout Brandon Hoppe, a 6'4" post player, was named honorable mention a/c as his team tied for the Wisconsin Valley Conference championship.  An off-guard from Royall H.S. (Elroy, WI), 5'11" Sam Wildes was named honorable mention a/c in the Scenic Bluffs conference.  Ryan Tomczyk, a 6'2" swing man (Mukwonago, WI) provides great quickness and shooting range.  Luke Knoedler (Mosinee, WI) and Keith Kuter (Anoka, MN) both bring extensive high school playing experience and provide depth at both guard positions.

The Huskies face the daunting task of replacing over 85% of their scoring and rebounding totals from last season.  The combination of a relatively inexperienced team and having a big bullseye painted on their chests has Coach Dave Gibbs worried.  "We have some great kids in the program right now -- but there is no substitute for experience.  Our sophomores must provide great leadership for us, both on and off the court.  We must also get contributions from key freshmen if we are to compete anywhere near the level we played at the last two seasons.  This team will have to establish its own identity, and learn about the sacrifices necessary -- if they want to be winners."

The Huskies open the season this Saturday with a rematch of last February's conference championship game played at UW Marinette.  The Buccaneers, winners of four consecutive Eastern Division Titles and two of the last three conference championships, have established themselves as a perennial power in Wisconsin Junior College basketball.  "Facing Marinette in the first game is a challenge, but it definitely gives you something to prepare for and tells you a bit about where your team is at," said Coach Gibbs.