After a 7-15 campaign in 2013-2014, Boyertown High boys head coach Mike Ludwig is very optimistic about the 2014-2015 season. This is a new year, and Ludwig is very excited for the new season.
“I’m loving the group dynamics,’ said Coach Ludwig. “This is my sixth year and this is the hardest team we’ve ever had. They’re playing for each other and they’re doing all the right things in practice, which will translate to great things in games. I’m happy with the progress so far, and looking forward to the challenges of the season.
This is a deep team this season with great senior leadership. Ludwig said that he will feel confident going deep into the bench on any given night.
The team has an overall record of 3-2. and a 2-0 league record. including a victory over Methacton (51-48), a team in which most feel is one of the top teams in the PAC-10’s Liberty Division.
“The other night was an opportunity for us to knock off a team that most people think will be competing for the PAC-10 title,’ said Ludwig. “We held our home court which was a nice thing and I’m real proud of the kids for that win. They battled the entire game ups and downs and it was a good high school game.’
The Bears followed that up with a 44-34 victory over Owen J. Roberts to give the Bears a great start to the PAC-1- season. Ludwig will be the first to admit that, yes, it’s nice to have that momentum, and yes it’s nice to have two in the win column. He just wants to let his team know that they will have to continue to play at a high level in order to continue to win.
“We have to continue to work and get better in practice,’ said Ludwig. “We have to fix our mistakes and we’ll do good things.’
Boyertown has two big guys in Colton Moyer (6′-7′) and Rob Merwarth at (6′-6′), which makes a big difference inside. Ludwig can play the two big guys together, or play them opposite of each other. He also feels that can present match up troubles for other teams.
“They both rebound well, they both run the floor real well,’ said Ludwig. “They do the things that other big guys don’t do, so we can attack that position against other teams with our bigs, our strength isn’t in our individuals, but in our 10.
Returning for the Bears is Kyle Dennin, Christian Smith Eric Spohn, Colton Moyer, Ben Longacre, David Kries, Austin Long and Kevin McTeer. Freshman Jerry Kapp is looking to make an impact as well.
“Kyle is just a great leader,’ said Ludwig. “He’s a two-time captain, and he’s the only two-time captain I’ve ever had. He’s making sure kids are doing the right things. He’s been through the wars and he knows what happens under pressure situations. He works hard during those times.
“Christian is a great balanced player and he defends the heck out of the ball. He controls our game in transition. He has a great back-up in Eric Spohn, who has done awesome things this preseason. He’s had a great start to the season so he works hard.’
Boyertown did lose their top two scorers from last season, Ryan Corcoran 16.3 points a game (family moved to Spring-Ford) and Tyler Bauman (13.5) to graduation.
“We’re happy with what these guys bring to the court and they work their ta off for each other,’ said Ludwig. “We’re real proud of who they are and what they do as a basketball team. Losing our scoring from Tyler Bauman is a big hit but other young kids are ready to step up and take that mantle as a scorer.
