2008 Woodie Awards
New Coach Adds Element to Already Outstanding Squad
Lakeland men's basketball has high hopes of retaining crown as king of the conference
Corey Kempf and Shaniece Taylor
Issue date: 11/20/03 Section: Sports
The Lakeland College men's basketball team is coming off of one of their most successful seasons in quite a while. They improved their regular season record from 16-10 to 19-7 and won their second straight regular season conference title. But in their final game of last season against Milwaukee School of Engineering, a controversial call ended their run to the NCAA tournament and has haunted the team since.
After the season, the University of Wisconsin- Platteville recognized now former head coach Paul Combs' ability and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Enter former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay star Gary Grzesk (pronounced Gresh), who received his first head coaching job after spending six seasons as an assistant at Youngstown State.
Although the team has had its troubles adjusting to the coaching change, one thing will help them along-- the Muskies return all five starters from last season's team.
"I feel fortunate to have a lot of returning players that provide a lot of leadership, especially in my first year as coach," Grzesk said.
Among those team leaders are seniors Ricky Davis, last season's Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection, and Cory Nickel, who also received First Team All-Conference honors.
"Both Ricky and Cory have the opportunity to carry this team," Grzesk said of the two standouts.
With many teams possibly focusing on Davis, Grzesk added that many other players on the team are capable of having big nights, especially if the Muskies can get the ball inside to the two big men, senior Morten Szmiedowicz and junior Nick Zeck.
Grzesk said that the team has been having difficulties adjusting to his half-court offensive scheme, which involves pro-style plays, but he also added that, defensively, the scheme is much like last season's, which the Muskies used in ending the season as the 15th best defense in all of Division III.
"For us to be good, our defense has to be good," Grzesk said. Grzesk played under the guidance of head coaching legend and master of defense Dick Bennett at UW-GB.
After the season, the University of Wisconsin- Platteville recognized now former head coach Paul Combs' ability and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Enter former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay star Gary Grzesk (pronounced Gresh), who received his first head coaching job after spending six seasons as an assistant at Youngstown State.
Although the team has had its troubles adjusting to the coaching change, one thing will help them along-- the Muskies return all five starters from last season's team.
"I feel fortunate to have a lot of returning players that provide a lot of leadership, especially in my first year as coach," Grzesk said.
Among those team leaders are seniors Ricky Davis, last season's Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection, and Cory Nickel, who also received First Team All-Conference honors.
"Both Ricky and Cory have the opportunity to carry this team," Grzesk said of the two standouts.
With many teams possibly focusing on Davis, Grzesk added that many other players on the team are capable of having big nights, especially if the Muskies can get the ball inside to the two big men, senior Morten Szmiedowicz and junior Nick Zeck.
Grzesk said that the team has been having difficulties adjusting to his half-court offensive scheme, which involves pro-style plays, but he also added that, defensively, the scheme is much like last season's, which the Muskies used in ending the season as the 15th best defense in all of Division III.
"For us to be good, our defense has to be good," Grzesk said. Grzesk played under the guidance of head coaching legend and master of defense Dick Bennett at UW-GB.