'They're gym rats as we call them': Dedicated young group makes future bright for Cheboygan hoops
CHEBOYGAN – Scott Hancock knows a talented group when he sees one.
He also knows a group that’s highly dedicated as well.
This past season, the longtime Cheboygan junior varsity boys basketball coach worked with a strong crop of players who now look poised to lift the Chiefs to success at the varsity level in the coming years.
Hancock’s Chiefs delivered a terrific campaign, capturing a 15-4 record with many dominant performances along the way. In all four defeats, Cheboygan either had a chance to win or take the lead in the final minute of play.
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“It’s been a while (since I’ve had a group this talented),” Hancock said. “When I had Nick’s (Hancock) group back in 2008, they were talented, and Nick was up (on varsity). I think with the kids we have, it's a pretty good indication that this is a talented group.”
Hancock’s JV squad featured quality and versatility everywhere, as sophomores Carson and Andrew Kiefer brought scoring at the guard spots, sophomore Jack Ekdahl was a physical frontcourt presence, and freshmen Nolan Schley and Landon Gahn were terrific at their respective center and guard positions. Providing the Chiefs with depth off the bench were Luke Lafrinere and Sam Brown. Ekdahl and Schley each saw varsity playing time during the season.
But Cheboygan’s top young talent wasn’t on the J.V. squad. Gavin Smith, who moved up to varsity as a freshman, delivered a stellar opening season with the Chiefs, including a pair of 32 and 27-point performances against Gaylord and Onaway. By the end of the campaign, Smith was named to the All-Straits Area Conference second team.
When you put all that talent together, it makes for a bright Cheboygan future. But the overall talent isn’t the only thing Hancock notices with this promising young core.
“I think it’s their love for basketball,” Hancock said. “This year I have six kids that play travel basketball and have played travel basketball. In the last few years, we have had six or seven kids that play in the springtime, also. Basketball is a true love for them and going forward, I don’t see that changing. They’re really serious about it.
“They’re gym rats as we call them.”
With Cheboygan struggling to consistently generate success at the varsity level for a long period of time, the players they have coming up give the Chiefs hope that success is on the way.
“When you love basketball, you usually reach your potential, and I see so much potential in this group going forward that they’re going to be successful,” Hancock said. “Next year might not be as strong because we’re going to be young, but when this group is juniors and seniors, you’re going to see a special group of kids. It’s a special group and it’s going to be fun to see how they progress going forward.”
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Young Cheboygan boys basketball players provide hope for future
