It wasn't too long ago that the Alexander boys basketball team was one of the worst programs in all of Section 5, even going 0-20 one year.
But coach Wayne Hanley has done a nice job building the program in recent years and the Trojans went 9-10 two years ago - sharing the Division I title - and finished 8-13 last season. Now Hanley's squad is looking to take that next step and become an above .500 squad that can compete for league and sectional titles every year.
The 2008-2009 Trojans have the potential to be the team that can start competing with the best league teams night in and night out.
The reason Alexander can look for bigger things this year is a strong group of returners, along with a pair of talented sophomores playing on the varsity squad.
It has been a long time since Alexander won a sectional game and last year's was able to hang with Caledonia-Mumford in the first round last year, but wound up losing 66-52. Kyle Woodruff was the second-leading scorer last season and returns as the go-to guy this year.
The GR honorable mention all-star of a year ago can shoot the 3 and was a nice compliment to Josh Bender, who was the top scoring option. He now becomes the guy expected to lead the team in scoring on most nights.
Seniors Andy Bittner, Mike Galletti, Tyler Sheeler , Matt Zaso and Jordan Leitten were all contributers last season as well, giving the Trojans six seniors to lead the team.
Junior guard Stephen George also saw action last season.
But the biggest impact on the team could be the youngsters, a pair of sophomores that are starting the season on the varsity squad.
Guard/forward Troy Shelnut might be one name you've heard already. The 6-foot-2 scorer poured in 18 points in his varsity debut, a 72-70 loss to Geneseo in the opening round of the Alexander Tournament last Friday (George and Bittner were also in double figures in that game). Shelnut followed that up with a team-high five points in a 71-25 loss to Livonia in the consolation game.
The other sophomore is guard Jared Quinn, who also scored five points to lead the Trojans in the second game.
While the Trojans aren't expecting to be a dominant team in the league this season, there is no reason why the team can't contend for a league title and try and win a playoff game or two.
