Dennis
Pioneer file photoLEROY — All in all, the 2021-22 season can be viewed as a successful one for the Pine River boys basketball squad.
It was coach Brian Goodenow’s 10th season at the helm for the Bucks.
Overall, the Bucks compiled an 8-13 (5-11) record.
“Realistically, with a very young team, we probably met expectations,” Goodenow said.
Goodenow listed the team’s first victory over McBain in six years, and a buzzer-beating win over Evart as some of the top highlights of the year.
The Buck coach also pointed to the efforts of some of his key players this season.
“Isaiah Dennis was our leader in many categories, averaging 14 points and nearly eight rebounds per game. Lukas Fisher was a defensive standout,” Goodenow said. “Austin Dean logged a ton of minutes as our point guard and one of our top defenders. Evan Esiline made great progress in the post. Cole Crawford showed flashes of becoming one of our top scorers.”
Dennis racked up the accolades following his final season in a Pine River uniform, earning First-Team All Highland Conference honors, was a BCAM Outstanding Senior Scholar Athlete, and picked up a Spirit of the Bucks award.
Fisher was defensive player of the year in the Highland Conference, and was also an All Conference Honorable Mention.
Goodenow said he thinks his team will be in a good spot to compete once again next season, as long as his players stay active this offseason.
“We will be more experienced, but still very undersized,” Goodenow said. “We need to work hard during this offseason to improve ball security and scoring ability.”
