NEW GLARUS — Despite losing four of their five starters, the Knights remain competitive with potential Capitol Conference Player of the Year AC Strok.

Last season, Strok was a First-Team All-Conference selection with 14.9 points and 6 rebounds per game. With five other varsity returners and nine prospects coming up from JV, New Glarus has the pieces to contend for a conference title, according to head coach Travis Sysko.

“I think AC Strok will be the best player in the conference this season,” Sysko said. “Overall, this team is skilled and has great depth. I think we are in the mix [for a conference title] and have a great chance of being there at the end of the year.”

With plenty of depth, the team can experiment with multiple players in the post after losing First-Team All-Conference selection Dain Walter. In his senior season, Walter averaged 17.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.

“We have had a dominating post presence — offensively and defensively — the past two seasons with Dain Walter,” Sysko said. “Losing that post presence will hurt. We will need to rebound and be able to defend the post.”

In addition to Strok’s rebound average, 6’5” senior Max Parman grabbed 1.2 rebounds per game along with 6’0” senior Ethan Friedrich with 1.1 rebounds per game. Senior Ja’Kodey Strahm also brings size at 6’4”.

If all these pieces fall into place Sysko sees his team competing with Belleville and Marshall for the Capitol South title.