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Rattlers take mature approach

JANESVILLE — UW-Rock County is taking a mature approach with its men’s basketball season.

Second-year coach Scott Lee has mined the area and produced key players beyond their teen years to spark a program that had notched just two rather dubious victories last season.

So far, the Rattlers are 1-1, falling to Wisconsin Collegiate Conference defending champion UW-Waukesha, 111-84, in a season home opener and downing UW-Baraboo, 89-58, on the road.

The difference between last year’s Rattlers and this season is a number of players who are edging into their 20s, as opposed to group of eager, but undisciplined players straight from high school graduation.

“The maturity level means so much,” Lee said.

Lee points to Dave Johnson, a first-year 6-foot player as a prime example of the Rattlers’ mature leadership. Johnson, from Williams Bay, is 22 and a member of the Army Reserve.

“He drives over every day from Williams Bay,” Lee said. “His military background makes him a natural leader.

“He’s a positive person, and someone to look up to, plus he’s a pretty good outside shooter,” Lee added.

Fred Stewart, a 6-7, 22-year-old first-year player from Walter Payton Academy in Chicago, will make his presence felt in the WCC.

“It’s just a joy to have Fred, not just because he’s 6-7, but he can handle the ball and can shoot from the outside,” Lee said.

Stewart struggled with foul trouble against Baraboo, but still managed to contribute 21 points in 21 minutes of playing time.

Mario Selph, a 21-year-old point guard out of Delavan-Darien via Oak Park, Ill., is another mature plus for the Rattlers.

“He understands the game, and he sees the floor very well,” Lee said.

Added to the group of twentysomethings is Romeo Solis, a 6-2 forward, from Walworth Big Foot and Corey Kramer from Beloit Memorial.

“Romeo has one of the nicest shots on the team,” Lee said. “And at 6-2 and 225 pounds, we expect he can be an influence on the boards.’’

Lee also expects 6-0, 20-year-old Prince Miller, a Janesville Parker grad, to add strength to the Rattlers’ rebounding.

Returning to the Rattlers are Matt Hilt, Keith Neuberger and Josh Cornelison each from Janesville Parker. Lance Dunwiddie of Juda and Steve Stathopoulos of Oakhill Christian round out UW-Rock’s returning players.

First-year Rattlers include Marcus Meiklejohn of Oak Hill Christian, Bryan Bland of Big Foot and Darius White from Janesville Craig.

Last season, the Rattlers defeated Wisconsin Tech twice, the first because a leaking gym roof forced an early end of the game with the Rattlers in the lead. The second victory was awarded to UW-Rock after Wisconsin Tech was tagged for an ineligible player, negating its 20-point victory.

Lee thinks there will be none of that this season.

“We realize that this a team game, and that is going to put us over the top,” said Lee, who will be assisted by Jim Barnstable, a retired teacher and former Clinton High School boys basketball coach. “We can be a contender for the WCC title.’’

The remaining UW-Rock County men’s basketball schedule:

NOVEMBER: 15—At UW-Marshfield. 17—UW-Manitowoc. 22—UW-Washington. 24—UW-Fond du Lac. 26—UW-Richland.

DECEMBER: 1—At Wisconsin Tech. 3—UW-Fox Valley. 6—UW-Barron. 9—MATC. 12—UW-Marinette. 13—UW-Marathon.

JANUARY: 7—At UW-Waukesha. 10—At UW-Marinette. 13—UW-Baraboo. 17—At UW-Barron. 23—At UW-Manitowoc. 24—UW-Marshfield. 26—At UW-Washington. 30—UW-Washington Tech.

FEBRUARY: 4—UW-Richland. 7—At UW-Marathon. 9—At UW-Fox Valley. 13-14—WCC tournament. 16—WJCAA regional. 18—WJCAA semifinals. 20-21—WJCAA finals at MATC.

Women optimistic

UW-Rock County’s women’s basketball program posted 10 victories and finished second in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference last season, despite playing with a limited roster.

This season, the women’s team can celebrate the return of its leading scorer, Kaylyn Sherrod from Beloit Turner, and an expanded roster.

“We can scrimmage five-on-five now,” said coach Scott Lee, who also coaches the Rattlers’ men’s program. “We could never scrimmage with two teams and that hurt us.’’

Despite having to limp through most games with six or seven players, the Rattlers remained competitive.

The Rattlers lost two leading scorers in Sarah Lancour and Morgan Ruchs.

Sherrod, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18 points and collected five rebounds.

“She’s the kind of player who likes to play when the lights go on,” Lee said. “She has some uncanny skills.’’

Also returning from last year are Kelsey Kersten from Orfordville Parkview, Erika Bue from Milton and Nicole Hunter from Beloit Turner.

Newcomers to the Rattlers are Katelyn Presti and Amanda Benash. each from Janesville Parker, Tiffany Draeving from Parkview, twins Melissa and Megan Lueck from Milton and Brianna Herold from Beloit Turner.

The Rattlers open the season Saturday afternoon at UW-Marshfield.

“We should be in pretty good shape,” Lee said. “We could be very competitive.”

The UW-Rock County women’s basketball schedule:

NOVEMBER: 15—At UW-Marshfield. 17—UW-Manitowoc. 22—UW-Washington. 24—UW-Fond du Lac. 26—At UW-Richland.

DECEMBER: 1—At Wisconsin Tech. 3—UW-Fox Valley. 9—MATC. 12—UW-Marinette. 13—UW-Marathon.

JANUARY: 7—At UW-Waukesha. 10—At UW-Marinette. 19—At UW-Fond du Lac, 21—UW-Waukesha. 23—At UW-Manitowoc. 24—UW-Marshfield. 26—At UW-Washington. 30—Wisconsin Tech.

FEBRUARY: 4—UW-Richland. 7—At UW-Marathon. 9—At UW-Fox Valley. 13-14—WCC tournament. 16—WJCAA regional. 18—WJCAA semifinals. 20-21—WJCAA finals at MATC.