Fresh Look

Plymouth takes on a new identity this season under first-year head coach Mike Soukup

BY ED WRIGHT
Dec. 4, 2009, 2:15 p.m.

  New Plymouth boys basketball coach Mike Soukup has just one issue with Dion Johnson, the Wildcats' smooth-as-silk starting senior point guard.

  "The thing that disappoints me the most about Dion," said Soukup, "is that I'm only going to get to work with him for one season. He's such a great kid, such a solid leader. I feel fortunate to have someone like him to provide senior leadership during my first year as coach."

  Johnson is just one of two returning seniors on the Wildcats' roster. The second is 6-foot-3, high-rising forward Aaron Thompson, who will be the first player off Soukup's bench.

  "Aaron has tremendous raw ability," said Soukup. "His arms are as long as hockey sticks. Aaron's still learning how to play our style of basketball, but once he figures it out, he's going to be a great contributor."

  One noticeable omission from the team's roster is 6-foot-6 junior forward Justin Moss, who transferred to another school earlier this semester.

  "I'm not positive where he went -- I think Romulus -- but to tell you the truth, I don't really care," Soukup said. "I'm only concerned with the players that are here."

  Moss's departure will create more space inside for 6-3 junior skywalker Brennen Beyer to operate. Beyer, who has more energy than the Energizer bunny, nearly averaged a double-double as a sophomore.

  "Brennen is not only a tremendous athletic specimen, he's a great kid," Soukup raved. "He plays with a football player's mentality, which I love. He can wipe the boards clean with his energy and jumping ability and he can score, too."

  Joining Johnson in the starting backcourt will be junior sharp-shooter Mike Nadratowski, who has a feathery left-handed touch from the perimeter.

  "We're going to rely on Mike for leadership and his outside shooting," said Soukup. "He's a tremendous baseball player who is being recruited by several D1 colleges. I feel lucky to have a player like him on the floor."

  A pair of juniors -- Pat Salo and Jake Morris -- will complete the starting frontcourt alongside Beyer.

  "Jake is going to be a tempo-changer for us," said Soukup. "He's very aggressive; a great defender.

  "Pat is a rugged, tough player, and one of the smartest players I've ever been around. It's like the game slows down for him."

  Junior forwards Zach Yokum (6-2) and C.J. Thompson (6-4) will provide an instant spark off the bench for the Wildcats this season, Soukup said.

  The first guard off the bench figures to be 5-11 junior Jimmy May, who can handle the ball and lock down at the defensive end of the court.

  "Jimmy will be our primary back-up guard," Soukup revealed.

  Juniors Stephen Jahn, a 6-1 guard, and Jeff Heuer (6-0) will also see minutes in the Wildcats' backcourt.

  "Jeff's good outside shooter who can come in and give us some scoring off the bench," the first-year coach said.

  Sophomore Edwin Singleton, a transfer from Saginaw, will provide much-needed depth to the Wildcats' backcourt.

  "Edwin will be our spark plug," said Soukup. "He's only 5-5, but he's a tough kid. He's a baller."

  Soukup has been pleased with the way his players have handled the new system he has implemented.

  "The transition is going well," said Soukup, who was a long-time assistant at Redford Union before being hired to succeed Tom Van Wagoner this past summer. "Any time you have a new coaching staff, there's going to be a learning curve. And any time you have a learning curve, there are going to be mistakes, but they're picking up on things quickly.

  "Since our first practice until now I have seen noticeable improvement."

  The Wildcats open the season Tuesday night at home against Walled Lake Central. The opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.