The Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels have two new coaches and are ready to run and win. The Rebel boys, now headed up by last year’s girls coaches Neil Dickerson and Bill Sandstrom, are also going to be fairly tall to go along with lots of talent and a winning tradition in all sports.

Assistant coach Sandstrom shared some background and a few confident thoughts. “We’ll, as far as my experience, it was nine years with the boys at Wrenshall and one season with the girls here at Moose Lake-Willow Riveer said Sandstrom. “I’ve talked to other coaches and they’re predicted that we’ll be number-one in our section. Also, from what I’ve seen and what I beleive, we will be number one in our section. I say this because of the returning letterman and the talents of the sophomores, juniors and seniors. There’s 15 guys that could play varsity. We’re tall and very quick. We have nine freshman that are remarkable. It will be a very good year with the C, JV and varsity teams. The guys are really playing the systems in practice and working hard. If you have good talent in football, it’ll often follow for basketball. I’d sure hope that’s true here.”

Dickenson shared thoughts. “My prior coaching experience is in Wrenshall where we were able to get the Section finals two years and to State one year,” the head coach recalled. “I’m new here, so bare with me. I’ve always wanted to coach a boys program. As far as coming here, I knew there were a lot of good athletes in both programs.”

The coach talked about this year’s prospects. “We have three returing starters and many that played in many games,” he said. “Caleb Koecher is a sophomore and Taylor Mattson is a sophomore now, too. Last year’s other starter was Austin Jacobson, a senior now. We have seniors Lucas Probst and Trevor Nummela who each started some games as juniors. Caleb is a big, strong 6’ 4” kid that can play very physical and can shoot from outside, too. He’s been hitting those in practice so far. Taylor Mattison is 6’ 5” with a good inside presence and a very good athlete. Austin is very, very fast. I’m learning just how fast and how intense he is. We’re going to be doing a lot of things with these athltes that we have. We’re very, very quick and aggressive. We’ve got a lot to work with. It’s very exciting. Lucas has showed inside presence from his first day. He’s strong and a good outside shooter. Trevor is an amazing athlete. We haven’t measured his verticle, but he can definitely get up and he’s a good shooter. Rudy Ketchum will also contribute for us, too.”

Dicksenson wrapped it up. “We have height, strength, speed and aggressiveness,” he said. “Definitely, that’s true, even with not seeing much yet. We’re working on the concepts of man-to-man. There’s some work there that needs to be done. They’re athletic and aggressive enough to do it. I have confidence that they’ll get it done. I’m impressed with the outside shooting and that they’re a little better at the man-to-man defense than I thought they might be.”

The coach took a glance at the Polar League. “There’s Esko, Barnum and Cromwell,” Dicksenson stated. “I know the history there. It’s a tough league. If we do the work we can be very, very good. We’re working well as a team. We’re stressing team. That’s a page out of Coach Louzek’s philosophy. We know what that can do.”

Volunteer coach Randy Ketchum added some final thoughts. “I’m working with the coaches to define my relationship,” said Ketchum. “For the most part, I’m here to help Neil and Bill and the team. I’m working with defense and the post players. I want to help this team out any way I can. That’s what where all trying to do.”