MONROE — Despite graduating sharpshooting guard Brayden Zettle, Cheesemakers head coach Brian Bassett knows his team returns a lot of weapons this season.

“Finding enough minutes for all the guys that have ability to play,” will be a challenge, Bassett said. 

Senior big man Kade King will likely get a slew of double-teams down in the paint. King, a 6-6 center, averaged 13.7 points and 10 rebounds per game last year, earning first-team all-conference honors. Not only can he maneuver in the post, but King has the ability to step out behind the 3-point line and knock down some shots.

Complimenting King will be seniors Kevin Schmidt, Hunter Huschitt, Ross Jacobson, Max Lange and Nick Schumacher. Lange averaged 5.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg last year and is a slasher that can get to the rim. Schumacher is a solid ballhandler with playmaking ability.

Talented youth is also on Monroe’s side. Sophomore Max Golembiewski found himself getting substantial minutes at guard as a freshman last year, and juniors Aaron Ziolkowski and Payton Sawdey will also be in the mix for heavy minutes. Sophomore Cade Meyer is 6-4 and is a shooter, slasher and rebounder that can play above the rim.

Then there are the freshmen — JT Seagreaves, who stands at 6-5, and Carson Leuzinger, a guard with ballhandling and playmaking ability.

“We have great length this season, so I believe we can be very good defensively,” Bassett said of his team’s overall strengths. “(And) our chemistry — our guys love being around each other.”

Bassett also understands that adding youth and others with limited varsity experience can mean some growing pains, however.

“Shooting from the left side of the floor,” Bassett said specifically as a concern. “Movement on the offensive side of the floor, hedging hard on defense instead of switching — just getting used to playing with each other. We return only three players that have significant playing time at the varsity level.”

Last year’s team finished 14-10 overall and 8-6 in conference, losing in the regional semifinal in overtime to Stoughton on a last-second tip-in. Even still, Bassett is hoping his squad will contend with the likes of Monona Grove, Stoughton, Watertown and Oregon for the Badger South title.

“Monona Grove is always loaded with athletes and great coaching. They return a first-team and second-team all-conference players. Stoughton, they have the tradition. Watertown is loaded with super quick guards and 3-point shooting. Oregon returns four starters from last year’s team and bring in a new coaching staff and offensive approach,” Bassett said. “I expect our team to compete every night and finish in the top-3 in conference. Our goal is to take the next step, which is to earn a trip to sectionals.”