Thomas Critchley is heading up the Big Lake Hornet basketball team for the 2021-22 season his coaches are Chuck McConville, Sam Dokkebakken, Sheridan Johnson, Nick Schaub and Tim Peterson. 

Tyler Halvorson is no longer with the team.

The Hornets will once again compete in the Mississippi 8 Conference along with the likes of the Becker, Cambridge-Isanti, Chisago Lakes, Monticello, North Branch, St. Francis and Princeton.

Critchley lost Jack Iverson, who led the conference in scoring and rebounding and Wyatt Windhorst, who was a very good slasher and a great rebounder, to graduation but he has several key players he hopes will step up and fill the needs of the team.

“Johnny O’Brien is the only starter we have back,” said the head coach. “He’s a strong, physical player who can really attack the basket. A great leader.”

Critchley is also excited about Joe Stepp, a  senior transfer from STMA.

“He went to school in Big Lake until the sixth grade and recently has moved back,” Critchley said.  “He’s a very skilled player who adds extra length to our team.”

Kade Layton is a junior  who is an “excellent shooter with unlimited range,” said Critchley. 

“Mitchell Hill is  smooth,” he said. “He’s a lefty point guard with a beautiful shot and is a tough physical defender.

Critchley’s final star player for the 2021-22 campaign is Carson Kunz. 

“He’s a junior post, very athletic, one of the top leapers in the conference,” Critchley says. “He has the potential to be one of the top players in the section.”

Some of Cricthley’s biggest concerns this season is the lack of experience and lack of size.

“We need to defend and rebound without turning the ball over,” he says. “I  think we will be an excellent shooting team who will play a tough physical man-to-man while trying to create tempo and wear people out with our depth.”

The Hornets began their season at Sauk Rapids Rice Tuesday, then play Hutchinson at home Thursday.