Silver Lake boys basketball looking for next point guard: 'We need somebody who’s going to take charge'
The Silver Lake boys’ basketball team is on the prowl for a new point guard following the loss of Andrew Osterhaus last season.
Osterhaus, who graduated in May, averaged 7.8 points and 3.25 assists per game during his senior season with the Eagles.
“We’ll miss Andy. He was a leader who led by example,” said head coach Johnny Roberts. “He led our offense well, was vocal in the huddle and vocal at practice.”
Roberts is looking for a new leader who can fill Osterhaus’ shoes, and he has a couple of potential candidates in mind.
Junior Troy Heiman, who suited up for 10 varsity games last season and was named a top newcomer in the Roberts' season preview, is a contender for the position, scoring 11 points for the Eagles in their season-opening win against Jefferson West.
“It’s a big responsibility,” said Heiman. “The point guard is the quarterback of the team out there. They have to take control of the ball and be the leader. We all want to make it to state. That’s always our goal.”
Senior Sam Kaff is a transfer player from Washburn Rural. He missed his junior basketball season, last playing for Santa Fe Trail as a sophomore. Roberts ran Kaff at point guard for the first two games of the season.
“We have a lot of new faces in our lineup,” said Kaff. “We need to come together as a team. Chemistry will be key, and trusting each other to execute plays.”
Kaff said he believes leadership is what will bring the team together in challenging moments over the course of the season. Coach Roberts is looking for that individual.
“We’ve played two games, and both (Sam and Troy) were on the floor, with Sam running point, and then coming off the floor, and Troy goes on. They can be interchangeable,” said Roberts. “Sam’s first game, he was very vocal. He wants to learn, get better, and make his team better, and that’s the development of a leader.”
In their two games, Kaff averaging 6.5 points per game, 2 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game and 2 steals per game while Heiman is averaging 11 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 3 SPG.
Roberts said the team’s focus and identity will be on its defensive strategy this season.
“We want steals and buckets. This is a great group of kids. They come to practice with great enthusiasm and spirit. There are three things we ask: Play Hard, Play Smart and Play Together.”
While Roberts hasn’t committed to a designated point guard yet, he knows exactly what he’s looking for to fill the position this season.
“We need somebody who’s going to take charge," he said. "The point guard is someone we trust to get the plays right and communicate well. We play in a tough league. There are no nights we can relax, and there’s no easy game.
"So, I’m looking to see who’s going to step up in a tight situation. Hopefully we can figure that out by February.”
The next opportunity for Heiman and Kaff to prove themselves will come Dec. 17 when they host St. Marys.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Silver Lake boys basketball searches for a new point guard
