Hampton-Dumont-CAL Boys Basketball Season Preview

Basketball season is just around the corner, and the Hampton-Dumont-CAL boys basketball team will be led by new head coach Matt Lokenvitz this season. Lokenvitz is taking over for Brian Niesen, who was at the helm for the previous three season. Coach Lokenvitz spoke on the type of play and culture he wants to bring to the basketball program.

"We are going to change up the style of which they played the last few ears," Lokenvitz said. "We're going to be a bit more up-tempo and try to run a little bit more. I think we have the athletes and the size to be able to throw multiple different defensive looks at people as well as  multiple different offensive looks which all comes from that up-tempo style."

The Bulldogs went 4-19 last season and finished 2-12 in North Central Conference play. The Bulldogs only lost two seniors from last year's team and will be returning a lot of production, including four of five starters. Coach Lokenvitz explained the advantages of being able to return most of the team.

"It's great to be able to have people with that varsity experience," he said. "With us changing what we are trying to do and what we need to accomplish within the basketball program, it's nice not to have to say we are going to be inexperienced and change everything. It's nice to be able to say they understand varsity basketball is like."

Coach Lokenvits and the Bulldogs will look to use this new offensive style to have an improved offensive output and hopefully pick up a few more wins during the season. The Bulldogs first game of the regular season is on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.