By Chris Parker
Pleasant Hope boys basketball will have a new look this year after graduating six lettermen from last season’s team that finished 11-11. Those graduated players took 87% of the Pirates’ scoring with them.
“We lost six letterman from last year’s team, which accounted for 87% of our scoring,” Pleasant Hope head coach Eric DeRossett said. “Included in those six lost were two 1000-point career scorers.”
Leadership this year will fall to seniors Adrian Sherrer, Ryver LaBee and Tanner Hillenburg.
“These seniors have been our system since their freshman year, so they will be counted on provide stability and develop our team a new identity,” DeRossett said.
DeRossett on Hillenburg: “Tanner was out most of the year last year due to an injury. He was a full time starter as a freshman and sophomore. Tanner is an offensive weapon. He can shoot it from the perimeter, but he also can attack the basket off the dribble. We are looking forward to getting Tanner back.”
DeRossett on Sherrer: “Adrian is a tremendous athlete. He is an excellent team defender and rebounds extremely well for his size. He is a quiet presence, but is highly respected by his team. We look for big things from him.”
DeRossett on LaBee: “Ryver had some big defensive moments late in the season last year. He is a lock down defender and relishes that role. He will evolve into a well-rounded player with more minutes this year.”
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Sophomore Arturo Marrufo will also be a leader this year after playing in all 22 varsity contests as a freshman last year averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
“Arturo is excellent off the dribble and was our leading three-point percentage player last year. He uses both hands well and finishes around the basket,” DeRossett said.
Juniors Chris Agee and Rahael Arciniegas along with sophomores Connor Shuler and Ryder Labee will step up to the varsity level after solid junior varsity seasons last year.
DeRossett on Agee: “Chris is a scrappy player. He is becoming an excellent one-on-one defender. He is getting more and more comfortable as a possible primary ball handler for us.”
DeRossett on Arciniagas: “Raphael is developing perimeter shot. He is becoming rugged when he attacks the basket. He is evolving as a player and we are excited about his progress.”
DeRossett on Shuler: “Connor is a talented young player. He can shoot the three and as he get bigger and stronger will be a force around the basket. We are looking for big things from Connor.”
DeRossett on LaBee: “Ryder is currently fighting an injury which could sideline him this year. He is a crafty guard and shoots from the perimeter really well. He is a scorer and will only get better.”
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Pleasant Hope will get good guard play, but will also be undersized this year.
“Our guard play should be a source of strength for us by the season’s end,” DeRossett said. “We are so small. We lack interior strength and size. We must find ways to compensate for this.”
Pleasant Hope opens the season Nov. 20-24 at the Verona Tournament.
“We are so young and so inexperienced that we will have growing pains in finding out who we are. These kids are hardworking and they understand that this will be a challenge. I am excited to see how they respond,” DeRossett said. “We want to learn how to compete and give ourselves the best chance to stay in games. We want to play be playing our best basketball in our conference stretch and in districts.”
