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Parker basketball develops replacements

JANESVILLE — Parker High begins the 2012-13 boys basketball season with fresh faces.

"We lost 80 percent of our scoring," Parker coach Ryan Masterson said. "We graduated four starters.''

The Vikings begin the season with a Big Eight opener against Madison La Follette at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Gone are Andrew Sommerville, Erick Albeck, Charlie Grafft and Decker Thompson. Tanner Smith, a 6-3 senior, and the Vikings' leading rebounder last season, returns.

The Viking finished 7-17 overall last season and 4-14 in the Big Eight. If Parker is going to improve in the win-loss column, it has to find solid replacements.

Smith, a two-time letter winner, and three-year varsity player, averaged 6.5 points last season.

"We expect (Smith) to score a lot more," Masterson said. "He had a good summer playing AAU ball.''

The rest of the firepower is going to have to come from returning letter winners Mitch Treinen, Adam Thompson, Kristian Pullam, David Palan and Kyle Hauger.

Juniors Adam Thompson and Treinen are in the mix to boost the Vikings.

Thompson, a 5-10 point guard, came off the bench last season. Brennan Olin, a 5-8 junior, will back Thompson.

"Adam had a real good summer and he should get minutes," Masterson said. "He backed Sommerville as a sophomore.''

Treinen, at 6-0, is expected to add scoring and experience.

"Besides Tanner (Smith), Treinen is our most experienced player," Masterson said. "He was our sixth man last year.''

Parker has a deep list of candidates to provide points.

Masterson is counting on 6-2 senior Cavann Conley, who did not play last season, and 6-6 senior Austin Simonis to add to Parker's scoring.

"Conley is a strong kid," said Masterson. "He's working hard and should surprise some people this year.

For more punch inside, Parker looks to the 6-2 Hauger for help.

"Kyle had a real good football season,'' Masterson said. "He should play a significant role for us."

Cullen Osmond, a 6-1 junior, who plays at guard or forward, is another piece in the Parker scoring scheme.

"He led the sophomore team in scoring," Masterson said. "He is a good athlete, with a good outside shot and inside he is a tough match up."

Masterson adds 6-0 junior J.J. Scott, Pullam and Palin as good potential scoring threats for the Vikings' arsenal.

Palin is the starting shooting guard and Masterson deems him very reliable. Pullam will back Palin.

"David is one of the best shooters we have," Masterson said.

Parker has a deep list of players, but experience is the big question mark. Masterson knows playing time is only way to fix that.

"We have some question marks," Masterson said. "We have to have people step up for us."

The Parker schedule:

November: 20—Madison La Follette. 23—At Delavan-Darien. 29—Madison Memorial.

December: 1—At Middleton. 7—Beloit Memoral. 8—Madison East. 13—At Madison East. 15—Verona. 21—At Sun Prairie. 22—Waukesha South.

January: 4—Janesville Craig. 10—At Madison La Follette. 12—At Madison Memorial. 15—At DeForest. 18—Middleton. 24—At Beloit Memorial. 26—At Madison East. 29—Milton.

February: 1—Madison West. 7—At Verona. 9—Sun Prairie. 15—At Janesville Craig.