Trojans boys cagers open at North Branch

Duluth Central boys basketball coach David LeGarde said a dozen players are competing for early-season minutes, as the team prepares for the season-opener Saturday at North Branch.

The Trojans are a veteran team featuring eight seniors, only one junior and two sophomores.

Players who are expected to receive the most playing time to begin the season: senior guards Ben Poppen, Peter Greenwood and Kyle McCuskey, senior forward Kyle Johannessen, junior guard Darcell Williams (upper right) and sophomore forwards Sam Humes and Andrew Laughlin.

“We’ll be spending the first part of the season trying to find a rotation,” LeGarde said. “We have several players battling for spots. We should be a decent offensive team. The concerns right now are defense and rebounding, and we have to improve our intensity level and desire to compete.

“Right now we’re having an interesting battle for playing time — with 12 guys battling for eight spots — and we’ll see how things shake out. I’m really enjoying my team so far. They’re extremely loyal and are true Central Trojans. But we don’t have much time to get ready.”

North Branch is always a tough first opponent, LeGarde said.

“They (North Branch) feature a defensive scheme unlike any we’ll see all year,” said LeGarde.

Photo — Trojans junior guard Darcell Williams was impressive against Proctor in the recent Lake Superior Conference Jamboree. GoDuluthSchools.com photo