Steve Laidlaw has some high hopes for this year varsity basketball team.
Laidlaw said the fact that the team has four returning starters bodes well for the Wildcat chances in the Flint Metro League.
Last season, the Cats finished third in the league, behind Lapeer West and Lapeer East, who tied for the league title.
‘I think if we can stay healthy we have a good shot at being pretty good,? Laidlaw said. ‘We can afford to have a key player hurt.?
Last season, an injury to 6-foot-six-inch center Brad Dugan, hurt the team for the nine games that Dugan missed.
The big center is back this year along with returning starters Alan Willar, Billy Keenist, and Brandon Dugan. Senior Tim Ketelhut is the new face who will round out the starting five.
‘This group looks very promising,? said Laidlaw, who is in his third year. ‘They have been in my system and we know each other pretty well. That will help.?
The team also has juniors Vinnie Ives and Adam Peterson along with sophomore Zach Tilley coming off the bench to help. They will all figure prominently in the mix and are good additions, Laidlaw said.
Lapeer East and West along with Brandon are expected to be among some of the better squads in the Flint Metro League.Those teams wont deter the Wildcats from setting ambitious, but attainable goals.
‘Our goal is to win the Flint Metro League and we believe we have a good shot,? Laidlaw said.
The team season began Tuesday night at Utica Eisenhower. The Wildcats play on Friday at Clawson.
Flint Metro League play begins on January 3, when the Swartz Creek Dragons come to Oxford for the first time as members of the FML.