2004-05 Season Preview: Boone Grove Wolves  Boys Basketball
	A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith (11-18-2004)

Boone Grove varsity coach Matt McKay was asked to preview and profile the 2004-05 Wolves varsity boys basketball team.  Here's what he had to say, as compiled by Mark Smith for the Lake County Star .

Jake PIVARNIK (Soph.) 5-10 guard = 4.8 points, 2.0 assists (04)

Career-best 18 vs. Washington Township, 12-5-2003

“Jake is coming off a season where he played backup as a freshman. Jake logged many minutes to help bolster his confidence and he has worked hard in the weight room and added 20 pounds in the last year.

At 5-10, he is our smallest starter but he makes up for lack of size with determination. Jake has a keen sense of the game and he uses it to his advantage. I think Jake will fit nicely into our starting group this year.

Jon SHURR (Jr.) 6-4 center = 5.0 points, 5.1 rebounds (04)

Career-best 10 vs. North Judson, 2-1-2004

“Jon has the task of replacing longtime starting center Phil Bien.

Jon will step into the role of shot blocker, rebounder and scorer. Jon has many physical attributes and he approaches the game with ferociousness. Jon Shurr could be a sleeper this year.”

Will MITCHELL (Jr.) 6-3 forward = 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds (04)

Career-best 21 vs. Kouts, 12-29-2003

“This will be Will's third year as a starter in the small forward position. At 6-3, he gives us a variety of different looks we can give our opponents. Will can run and jump so I look for him to have a breakout year.”

Kyle KROL (Sr) 6-2 guard = 4.5 points, 2.5 steals

Career-best 15 vs. Hanover Central, 1-24-2003

“Kyle is our sixth starter. He will start some games when the matchups are right and he'll come off the bench when they aren't. Kyle is an all-conference sprinter and he gives us speed. Kyle is a tough defensive player and he can hit the open jump shot as well. He will be in the top-5 of minutes played this year.”

Joe FARON (Sr) 6-1 guard = 6.5 points, 3.2 assists

Career-best 11 vs.Wheeler, 3-2-2004

“Joe began starting for us last year midway through the season. He has good size for a point guard, he sees the floor well and can hit the open jumper. I expect Joe to be our floor leader.”

Dan BORYS (Sr) 6-4 forward = 17.8 points, 8.0 rebounds

Nine 20-point games, Career high 27 at Calumet, 2-27-2004

“At 6-4 and 210 pounds, Dan is the best back-to-the-basket player I have coached. He uses his body very well to get and keep position. Add to that, the ability to stroke the three-pointer and you have one of the area's better players. We will rely heavily on Dan this year and he should pose many matchup problems for the other teams.”

Coach Matt McKAY

“Losing a player of Phil Bein's size (6-6) is going to create a hole that's hard to replace. The boys worked very hard in the off-season and I think we can be competitive.”

“Many times, when people across the state look at Boone Grove they think we have an average team and an average program. All the people see are wins and losses. True basketball fans know that the schedule we play is the cornerstone to the success we have had as a program. Every athlete that has played on the varsity at Boone Grove the last 10 years has won some kind of championship. That is what we strive for. This is our goal.”

“This year's edition of Boone Grove will be no different. They practice hard and it's my job to make them play hard.”

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BOONE GROVE

Coach Matt McKay, 13-9 in 2003-2004

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT / TIME
Nov. 24	at Valparaiso {4A}	7:30 pm
Dec. 3	Washington Twp. {1A}‡	7:30 pm
Dec. 10	River Forest {1A}	7:30 pm
Dec. 17	at LaCrosse {1A}‡	7:30 pm
Dec. 22-23	South County Tournament
Jan. 7	at Hanover Central {2A}‡	7:30 pm
Jan. 8	Wheeler {2A}	7:30 pm
Jan. 14	at South Central (Union Mills) {1A}‡	7:30 pm
Jan. 15	at Portage {4A}	7:30 pm
Jan. 19-22	Porter County Conference Tournament
Jan. 28	Kouts {1A}‡	7:30 pm
Jan. 29	Merrillville {4A}	7:30 pm
Feb. 4	at Morgan Twp. {1A}‡	7:30 pm
Feb. 5	at North Judson {2A}	6:30 pm
Feb. 15	Hebron {1A}‡	7:00 pm
Feb. 18	at Kankakee Valley {3A}	7:30 pm
Feb. 22	Chesterton {4A}	7:00 pm
Feb. 25	Calumet {3A}	7:30 pm
‡PORTER COUNTY CONFERENCE GAME

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