Rockets must replace special seniors

OAK HARBOR — Eleven years ago, Oak Harbor coach Eric Sweet took over a program that was struggling. The Rockets had some tough years early in his tenure, but recently, they've taken off. The last four seasons have seen Oak Harbor win 62 games, along with a league and sectional title. Last season, the Rockets went 12-9 overall and 7-3 in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division, finishing second to Willard. But the Rockets must replace five key seniors — Blake Booker, Max Hallett-Szymanski, Ryan Ridener, Collin Fauver and Brenen Ish. T.J. Hallett, a 6-foot-1 senior guard/wing, is back to lead the way. He averaged 11.7 points and three rebounds last season. Hallett will be expected to fill part of the void left by Booker, who averaged 19.0 points and 5.3 rebounds. "T.J. is back," said Sweet. "If he's able to shoot the ball well and score for us, we'll be better." A number of other guards are fighting to earn time alongside Hallett. There are three freshmen who will see time at point guard and wing — Jaxson Overmyer (5-6), Michael Lalonde (5-6) and Ethan Stokes (6-2). "It's about getting them comfortable with the game speed," said Sweet. "Ethan Stokes is a slasher/scorer for us, more of a wing who will sit and catch the ball. On top of them, there are guards who are working and competing and trying to get after some minutes." Hayden Hower, a 5-11 senior wing, will battle for playing time, as will three juniors — Hayden Craig (5-10), Judson Overmyer (5-8), Danny Tack (6-0) — and sophomore Jaqui Hayward, a 5-10 guard. If there's one thing Oak Harbor has this year, it's size. Isaac McHale is a 6-2 junior who saw some time last year. Kyle Glaser is a 6-5 senior, as is Keegan Durdel, and Zach Clune is a 6-3 junior who will see time on block. "We've got some size, some skill there, too," Sweet said. "Isaac and Keegan are able to handle the ball and shoot it, Clune is a strong post player, and Kyle will see some time. I have four post guys that are very similar — they're competing for time. Some are stronger down low, some are able to shoot it better, each brings their dynamic. We've got some size in the post, but we've got to get our guards up to speed, those three freshmen and those other juniors and Jaqui, they're getting after it. "It's 11 guys that are competing for seven to eight spots of varsity minutes. Every day is a competition and an evaluation. There are good days and bad days, we've just got to keep progressing." The Rockets have had good, talented players who could score in recent years, but defense is very much a part of the program's identity. "We want to have a good, solid, strong defense (where) you can pressure and make people uncomfortable without giving up your principles," Sweet said. "If you don't make a couple shots, you can hold the other team and keep yourself in the game — it's something I've always held on to. I enjoy the defensive side of basketball. We work really hard at it. Defense has been a staple of mine, and the kids have bought in." As usual, the Bay Division should be competitive. "Willard returns a lot of kids, Huron has athletes, Margaretta has the Player of the Year in (Jake) Leibacher and Port Clinton has Adam Thorbahn," Sweet said. "For being a six-team league, it's very competitive. It's going to be a battle for the winner of the league. A lot of people didn't have us up there last year, and we finished second." No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. 0&emsp;&emsp;Michael LaLonde&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;5-6&emsp;&emsp;9 1&emsp;&emsp;Hayden Craig&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;11 2&emsp;&emsp;Kyle Glaser&emsp;&emsp;F&emsp;&emsp;6-5&emsp;&emsp;12 3&emsp;&emsp;Hayden Hower&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;5-11&emsp;&emsp;12 4&emsp;&emsp;Keegan Durdel&emsp;&emsp;F&emsp;&emsp;6-5&emsp;&emsp;12 5&emsp;&emsp;Ethan Stokes&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;6-2&emsp;&emsp;9 11&emsp;&emsp;Jaxson Overmyer&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;5-6&emsp;&emsp;9 12&emsp;&emsp;T.J. Hallett&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;6-2&emsp;&emsp;12 14&emsp;&emsp;Judson Overmyer&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;5-8&emsp;&emsp;11 21&emsp;&emsp;Jaqui Hayward&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;5-10&emsp;&emsp;10 23&emsp;&emsp;Daniel Tack&emsp;&emsp;G&emsp;&emsp;6-0&emsp;&emsp;11 24&emsp;&emsp;Isaac McHale&emsp;&emsp;F&emsp;&emsp;6-2&emsp;&emsp;11 33&emsp;&emsp;Zack Clune&emsp;&emsp;F&emsp;&emsp;6-3&emsp;&emsp;11