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Sports

"The Building of Trust – Builds a Team"

Boys varsity basketball coach, Dan Leffel, believes the Indians' new found trust will lead them back to victory.

With tryouts done and the varsity players picked, basketball coach Dan Leffel hopes one thing will change this year, and that is “to get back on the winning ways.”

After the Indian’s 11-12 season last year, the team is ready to lead their conference with leadership, determination and of course – baskets.

The varsity team consists of 11 players, seven seniors and four juniors, which were announced last week after the strenuous tryout process.

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This season, familiar faces J.P. Tokoto and C.J. Malone return. Tokoto and Malone are going to do a lot of scoring, according to Leffel.

Besides the veterans, Leffel believes a few players who have gotten stronger and grown over the summer will surprise the crowd.

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The coach said center Ryan Bross needed a lot of work last year on the junior varsity team, but has made a dramatic improvement, bringing an all-around good presence to the team.

Senior James Ulicki has become more tenacious and is ready to go to work every day.

Leffel is most impressed with the team’s defense, which allows the offense prime opportunities to score.

“We have good team chemistry and it has helped out our defensive game,” Malone said.

The team is projected to finish second out of the eight teams in the conference, according to wissports.net’s annual Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Yearbook.

Tokoto said: “We have the talent and personality this year, and we are just going to take it day-by-day.”

“They have a lot of heart and determination,” Leffel said. “And I think that it’s going to bring us far this season.”

The season kicks off Dec. 2 against Brookfield East at Menomonee Falls High School.

Here is this year's roster:

J.P. Tokoto - 6'6" Senior

C.J. Malone - 6'1" Senior

Brandon Ramey - 5'7" Junior

James Ulicki - 6'4" Senior

Kevin Meyers - 6'6" Senior

Ryan Bross - 7'2" Senior

Zach Weyenberg - 6'1" Senior

Vadial Shields - 5'11" Junior

Brennan Schneider - 6'1" Senior

Zach Murray - 6'2" Junior

Devon Nauer - 6'3" Junior

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