Becker Bulldog boys basketball Head Coach Cory Nuest returns four starters from last years team, which set an all-time program record for points scored per game, and this should translate into another offensive juggernaut performance this season.

A year ago, the Bulldogs amassed 14 wins, the fourth most in the last 20 years.

“We want to continue to play fast paced basketball but are looking to improve two areas to make us more successful: shot selection and high level defense,” said Nuest, back for his second season in charge of the program.  “We want to play winning basketball by putting a high value on shot selection and playing defense at a high level.” 

The Bulldogs’ returning starters can all run the floor and shoot the ball, meaning there are plenty of options for getting the ball up the court.

Those players include Sawyer Brown, Mitch Soltau, Nathan Weiss, and Landon Peterson and they will be joined by a trio of  key players who were part of the program’s 22 win JV program a year ago: Bryce Paumen, Troy Nuest, and Isiah Boyer.   Other key members on the team who will excel in their roles are Denlan Harmoning, Hunter Youngdahl, Saul Kreft, and Alex Kinney.

“Our goals for our players this season are to become better men and better players, represent Becker well as a team that the community wants to cheer for, and compete for a conference and section championship,” Nuest said.  “The Mississippi 8 will be very solid once again with every team having a chance to win the conference . . . I expect our team to be right in the mix to compete for a conference and section title!”

Nuest, who is teaching in the business department this year at Becker High School, points to a very successful offseason as one of the reasons for his optimism.

“We have excellent players who have shown great commitment in the offseason and we are excited to go out and compete and get better every single day,” Nuest said. 

The Bulldogs will utilize a leadership team of 10 players this season instead of captains, meaning a balanced approach and player-led accountability will be hallmarks of the team.

Nuest was also excited to announce the addition of four coaches to the program, including a pair who will work with the JV A and B programs.

Jeremy Johnson, who has 25 years experience with both Chanhassen and Andover high schools will bring his passion to the staff, as will Logan Hanson, a Becker Intermediate teacher who is a UMD graduate and was part of four National Championship rugby teams.  Russ Klimmek, another veteran coach from the Becker Youth Program, will help with the JV teams as well.

Jesse Peterson will return as a Varsity Assistant and will be joined this year by Denny Yoerg, a member of the Becker Youth Basketball Hall of Fame.

Robert Hoekstra will again coach the C team, meaning the Bulldogs will have a full compliment of very capable coaches patrolling the bench area.

The Bulldogs open the season Tuesday night at home versus Albany, before going on the road for games against Delano (Thursday) and St. Francis (Friday in the M8 opener).