After losing several players from last season’s team due to graduation, including three who are now on the Rainy River Community College men’s basketball team, the International Falls boys basketball team enters the 2011-12 campaign looking to fill key positions.
The list of departed players includes Shawn Filipiak, a forward who scored more than 1,000 career points for the Broncos, and guards Trevar Carlson and Nick Bujold. All three have seen action at RRCC in their freshman year of eligibility.
“The entire senior class was a tough loss,” said FHS head coach Derek Dowty, who begins his third season at the Broncos’ helm. “They were a very hard-working and dedicated group of kids.”
Falls had a 24-5 record last season and advanced to the Section 7AA semifinals, where the Broncos lost to Moose Lake-Willow River, 66-48.
Dowty’s list of top returning players includes junior guard Gunnar Anderson, who was both an Iron Range and Arrowhead All-Conference selection last season, and senior forward Andre McMillion. Anderson and McMillion are team captains in 2011-12.
With a number of players on this season’s roster being 6 feet or taller, Dowty said height is a team strength.
“We are very long, which should help us defensively and also help out our rebounding,” he said.
However, after losing both of the team’s point guards from last season, Dowty said he is “looking for someone to step up to fill these shoes.”
He said the team’s goals include winning both the Iron Range and Arrowhead Conference.
While he is the most concerned about how the players will handle the pressure, Dowty said he is looking forward to “watching the kids work hard to improve and also watching them develop as people.”
He said the teams to watch out for this season include Virginia, Deer River and Esko.
The Broncos open the season at home Tuesday against Eveleth-Gilbert.
