Boys Basketball Preview: Clawson Has Roster of Untested Talent

Last season,  head coach Billy Shellenbarger Jr. had an undefeated boys basketball team after nine games and post-season action was likely.

Then the wheels fell off. Injuries and a player suspension lead to a disappointing 11-10 season.

Now, with a new season ahead, this year's team is a treasure chest of possibilities.

Shellenbarger's untested group includes a rotation of 10 to 11 players. Entering his third year as head coach – his first team was 8-12 – he's ready to open the chest and see what's inside.

"Six-foot-one senior Tyler Marwin is a returning all-conference honorable mention selection and will play guard," Shellenbarger said. Marwin will be looked to as a team leader.

"He's our leading returning scorer and we'll rely heavily on him on the offensive end," Shellenbarger said. "He had to play a lot in the post last year, but now we can return him to the perimeter."

Another returning starter is senior Eric Thompson, a 6-foot-5-inch, 230-pound skilled player.

"He's a banger, he's very physical but he also has a finesse game," Shellenbarger said. "Probably the hardest working kid on the floor. He dives on the floor, he's extremely coachable – just a great, great kid. He could end up being our leading scorer, he has that much potential."

Working Shellenbarger's "inside-out" offense will be another big body, 6-foot-3 inch James Steffan. The 240-pounder is a physical, talented athlete who has good "hops" and is a top rebounder.

Shellenbarger said he adapts to his players' skills are and builds around the positives each one offers. For this season, that means taking the ball into the paint and letting the big men work some magic.

"We'll have some (size) coming off the bench and on the interior and some good athleticism and we'll really rely heavily on that," he said. "Our toughness and our strength is how we'll win games this year."

Two senior guards, Cody Lehman and Steve O'Connell, are expected to get the ball to the big men on the interior. Lehman is very physical and not scared of contact, Shellenbarger said. O'Connell is a tough kid who is one of Clawson's best perimeter shooters.

"I've got to get my 'handles' better and really step up as a leader and lead this team to a league championship," O'Connell said.

The Trojans could possibly trot out four senior starters with three of those not even starting last season. Shellenbarger could also put four guards on the floor to speed things up if necessary.

"We have to reinvent the chemistry and those guys have to learn how to play with each other," he said. "But we had 25 games this summer and worked up until two-a-days with football started."

Junior guards Kentrail Holt and Deshawn Gilbert are also expected to see plenty of playing time as well as Jalen Harrison and Bryan Lackey, two large physical bodies. With 12 uniforms up for grabs to work the 20-game schedule, Clawson will benefit from playing 12 home games.

The season opens on Dec. 14 against Macomb Lutheran North High School and Shellenbarger can't wait to get his team on the floor to see what is in store. Clawson hasn't won a conference championship since 1995. Shellenbarger hopes that will change this season.

"We are diverse," he said. "We can do a little bit of everything. I wouldn't say we're great at anything yet but is my job in the next four weeks to coach to that, teach to that and turn those 'goods' into 'greats'.

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