Future looks particularly bright for Stritch boys basketball

The potential is there for Cardinal Stritch boys basketball.
 
It would be no surprise if this season serves as part of the necessary growing pains the Cardinals had to endure to get back to being one of the area’s better teams.
 
Injuries have also hurt Stritch and have contributed to them going 4-14 and 2-6 in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference.
 
Sophomore guard Erick Graham (6-1) leads the way, averaging 22.1 points and 5.9 rebounds, followed by 6-2 junior forward King Wilson (11.4 points, 11.1 rebounds).
 
Junior Xavier Blackman, who was averaging 16.1 points, and fellow junior Logan Kennedy, were lost for the season due to injuries.
 
Stritch’s wins have come against Northwood (twice), North Central and Toledo Scott.
 
“It’s been a rollercoaster to say the least, full of ups and downs. Injuries and unexpected departures have plagued us this year,” said Stritch coach Shaun Scott. “It’s not the year I was expecting, but despite it all, my players are still having fun, still growing on and off the court and still committed to the process. They show up every day expecting to get 1% better. Handling adversity has been key; maturing has been key.
 
“Erick and King have shouldered the load with Xavier being out. They have taken on the responsibilities on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor. They are great teammates who lead by example. They don’t make excuses; they push their teammates and they have a ‘by-any-means-necessary’ mentality. The best part is, they hold each other accountable.”
 
Graham and Wilson are two of the starters with RaSean Gordon (5-10), Breyon Jones (6-1) and Sam Bohnsack (6-0) rounding out the lineup.
 
Coming off the bench are Shawn Weatherford and Simon Ross.
 
A disadvantage with the lineup is its lack of size, but it has some good athletes.
 
Scott credited Bohnsack, Gordon and Jones for their efforts.
 
“They have been key in the second half of the season. Losing the second- and fourth-leading scorers, these three young men have grown tremendously after being thrown into the starting lineup and learning on the fly,” said Scott. “I’m proud of the growth in these three within the last few weeks. They have fought adversity all year, especially with the loss of my second- and fourth-leading scorers. And even though it may not be displayed in the win/loss column, it is seen in the effort they have displayed on the floor, in the film room and seen by others.”
 
Stritch, which competes in Division VII, is in a nine-team district and is currently ranked eighth. In a district filled with schools located west of Toledo, the draw will be held on Sunday.
 
Despite the rough road the Cardinals have traveled up to this point, Scott is optimistic.
 
“Despite the adversity of this season, our goals have remained the same. I trust my players and coaching staff and we have a next-man-up mentality. As long as they stay committed to the process of improving every day and growing up on the floor, game by game, I feel as if we can still compete for a sectional and district championship,” said Scott. “I have seen the signs of growth that I am looking for, more or less off the court. Their mentalities have changed, their preparation has changed, their outlook on the season has changed and their mindsets have changed. This game is 90% mental and 10% physical, and as long as their mentality continues to grow, that will only lead to growth on the court as well. I look forward to this offseason and the future of our program.”
 
Stritch’s final regular-season game is on Feb. 14 against Toledo Christian. The tournament begins three days later.