Superior Central’s Kyle Frusti, right, drives past Rapid River’s Tony DeMars on March 11, 2020, during their MHSAA Divison 4 district tournament game played at Rapid River. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Justin St. Ours)

Editor’s note: With the start-and-stop of winter sports seasons this year, The Mining Journal is publishing high school basketball team previews from Marquette and Alger counties over a number of days. This story was written in late January.

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EBEN — Superior Central’s boys will try to make do with low numbers as they enter this basketball season.

The Cougars, who have just seven varsity and six JV players, begin their season later this month under first-year coach Adam Ely.

“Everything is new to these kids, a new coach, new system and a crazy season,” Ely said. “Although I couldn’t say enough about their willingness to buy into the system. They’re willing to try anything. They’ve been working real hard so far.”

The Cougars, however, return six from last year’s 4-17 team.

“I figured the numbers would be down anyway, and with constant (restriction) extensions (due to COVID-19), we lost a few more,” Ely said. “I’m sure that had some effect, but I’m not sure how much.”

They return four senior guards, including 6-foot Kyle Frusti and Parker Maki, 5-10 Clayton Collier and 5-8 Matthew McLaury.

“Parker and Kyle are real similar,” Ely said. “Both have some skills and are good ballhandlers. Clayton can play anywhere. He’s one of those tough, high-energy kids. Matt is also a tough kid and brings in experience. We’ll depend on them quite a bit. There hasn’t been a lot of success here. We’re trying to turn the program around, and we’re going to let them take the reins on our turnaround.”

The Cougars also return juniors Garrett Koski (6-1 forward) and Zach Frusti (5-10 guard). Joining them is newcomer Austin Perry (6-foot forward).

“That’s not bad,” Ely said. “They can get acclimated and have another year after that. Even though we have seven players, we have some experience.

“Our lack of depth makes practices challenging. Not having contact also makes practices challenging. Without contact practices, we haven’t been able to work on many of the little things, and those are the things we need to brush up on.

“As frustrating as it is, the kids are handling it better than the adults. I’m not jealous of the athletic directors having to do the rescheduling. It’s tough on everyone.”

Defensively, the Cougars plan to play primarily man-to-man defense.

“We’re going to hang our hat on our ability to guard the other guys,” Ely said. “It seems like everybody plays an up-tempo offense, but basketball has really become a position game.

“We’re going to play to our strengths. We won’t hesitate to play a half-court game. I feel that could be an advantage for us, although it’s hard to play that way. Everyone wants to play fast.

“I didn’t come into this job until this fall. It has been a late start. It took awhile for us to get to know each other.”