(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich File Photo) Liberty Hill's Blake Danielak (33) fires up a jumper against Lorena. Danielak and his Panthers' teammates open district play this coming Friday against Taylor at The Panthers Den.
Final Score by Chuck Licata
The Liberty Hill High School varsity boys’ basketball team knows it.
LHHS varsity head coach Barry Boren knows it.
“It” is the stigma of a program that’s produced three straight 30-5 seasons – and has produced just one playoff win in that same period.
On the brink of the start of District 25-3A play this Friday when the Panthers host Taylor, Boren will certainly have the 2011-12 Panthers focused on district play – although each of the returning players will probably have the “playoff problem” in the back of their minds.
This varsity squad features six seniors – all but one played JV as juniors last year – along with four juniors (two on last year’s varsity) and one freshman.
The three returning varsity players – senior Stephen Graves and juniors Shane LaCaille and Blake Danielak – are nicknamed “The Big 3” for their impact on the squad. However, each one will deflect the spotlight on the rest of the team when talking about this squad’s expected success.
Just as I did with the girls’ team last week, I will break down the boys as the Panthers get ready to host Taylor on Friday.
Graves, LaCaille and Danielak: “The Big 3” are the unquestioned leaders of this team, although there are a few players (Robert Koepl, Corey McKinzey and Tyeler Greenstreet among them) who can lift the team with their play.
No question, Graves, LaCaille and Danielak should all play ball in college. Graves (who stands 6-foot-2) has the deadliest 3-point shot this side of Richard Jefferson. But as much as he’s a threat to drain a shot from downtown, Graves can grab a rebound, block a shot, dish an assist or chase down a loose ball. A complete player? Oh yeah.
The same could be said about LaCaille and Danielak.
LaCaille (5-foot-11) exploded for 37 points last Friday against Georgetown East View; that is symbolic of the points he could produce every night – if it were necessary. He could easily average 10 assists per game if his other teammates weren’t so unselfish themselves. The junior ball-handler does take some risks on occasion out on the floor – sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don’t. But he’s got the talent that justifies any kind of gamble.
Danielak has the chance to not only play college ball, but my guess is he could see an NBA roster spot in his lifetime. After all, the 6-foot-7 giant is athletic, quick and not only reminds one of Dirk Nowitzki (a forward for the world champion Dallas Mavericks) but he has a shot quite similar to the NBA star. I say that, having been an NBA beat reporter for both the Spurs and Houston Rockets and having covered the likes of former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal (Cole High School) and Charles “Bo” Outlaw (San Antonio Jay High School).
If it was possible for Danielak to improve his shot over the off-season, he did it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt he got a good chance to get varsity experience after being called up from JV last season.
Seniors Corey McKinzey and Tyeler Greenstreet: McKinzey (6-foot-1) and Greenstreet (6-2) are the two other starters on the squad and contribute a lot to the effort. Both are unselfish and will gladly give up the ball to another team with a better shot at the basket.
Both will “bully” their way to a steal or rebound; both “leave it all out on the floor.” They each have the potential to score in double-figures and would do well to help the Panthers be consistent. They both have a gritty determination to do what needs to be done to help the team succeed; they don’t seem like they’d back down from anyone – or any challenge.
Senior Blake Hare: The 6-foot sharpshooter comes off the bench and can provide instant offense, especially from beyond the 3-point mark. Because Hare – like teammates Robert Koepl and Nik Crozier – came over from the boys’ third-place-at-state cross country team, it took him a bit of time to find his mark. However, Hare’s been hitting double figures in scoring lately and is becoming a nice outside-shot complement to Graves, LaCaille and Danielak.
Senior Robert Koepl: You would never know Keopl, a 6-foot senior, was playing on varsity for the first time. He creates havoc for opposing players, forcing loose balls and making steals at a pace only he can understand. He’s taken several charging calls at opportune times and pretty much symbolizes the frantic pace typical of a Barry Boren squad.
Senior Nik Crozier and junior Austin Davis: Crozier (6-foot-4) and Davis (6-0) provide a good spark off the bench. They’re very aware of the system and can handle all duties as assigned – they can be role players, defenders and they can provide some help on the scoring sheet.
Junior Jessie Cousins and freshman Callen Mikulencak: The 6-foot-2 Cousins and 5-11 Mikulencak have split their time between JV and varsity this season so far but they are listed on the varsity roster. They’ve seen some floor time with the varsity and both are big impact players on the JV squad. No doubt they could be impact players on the varsity given some playing time.
The guess here: the Panthers win the district title then not only win their first playoff game but make it to the Region IV tournament in Corpus Christi.
And from there, who knows? Go Panthers!
