Rolette-Wolford’s boys basketball program has taken its lumps recently, winning just seven times in its last two seasons.

The Comets may be on the cusp of a turnaround. The team returns three starters and a few others who have seen varsity play.

First-year coach Blaine Scott is hopeful that experience will begin to pay dividends this season.

“Our strength is going to controlling the boards,” Scott said. “We have three players all around 6-2 who will give us good size near the basket.“

Senior Tommy Dunn and juniors Nic Pfeifer and Blake Nelson are those aforementioned trio. Pfeifer led the Comets in rebounding and Nelson was an all-district selection. Both averaged about 11 points per game. Dunn maybe the best defensive player out of the three.

Also returning is point guard, Jaden Pfeifer, who Scott said did a nice job of setting up the offense last season. Taylor Gottbreht and junior Jordan Graber also will get regular minutes. Graber will be looked upon to provide consistent outside scoring, filling the void left by perimeter scorer Tyler Zappone, who graduated. Sophomore Jaden can also hit open shots. Outside scoring will be a point of emphasis as opponents are likely going to try and contain the inside threat of Nelson and Pfeifer.

Depth is a concern, however. The team needs to avoid injuries and foul trouble, especially early in the season, since there isn’t much experience on the bench. The team has just one senior, but six juniors, two sophomores and seven freshman. “It’s not the setup we want, but that’s what it is,” he said.

Scott likes the work ethic this team possesses. “This is a great bunch of kids to work with,” he said.

R-W won six games a season ago — up from one in 2006-07 — and the team has higher expectations this year, including a possible regional berth.

Munich-Starkweather returns much of its lineup that won the District 8 Tournament title, and St. John lost just one player from a team that went to the regional championship game. Perennial power Langdon is expected to bring back a solid team along with North Star.

However, Scott believes after the top three teams, it’s really up for grabs for those four through eight spots. “If we can play well at the end of the season, we could put ourselves in a great position (to get to regionals),” he said.



Rolette-Wolford roster

Senior: Tommy Dunn; Juniors:Blake Nelson, Nic Pfeifer, Jordan Graber, Taylor Gottbreht, Josh Casavant, Jeff DeCoteau; Sophomores: Jaden Pfeifer, Lane Marion; Freshmen: Everett Lervik, Collin Pigeon, Jonathan Slaubaugh, Joe Mongeon, Casey Mattson