The 2018-19 Republic-Michigamme Hawks. From left, back row: Jay Fetters, Kollin Conklin, Eli Luokkala, Jake Carlson, Andrew Olender; front row: Cody Skytta, Derek Koski, Justin Anthony, Logan Hanninen. Not pictured: Kaleb Conklin, Gabe DuPont.

REPUBLIC — The Republic-Michigamme boys basketball team and head coach Mario Marana will look to a younger crop of players to achieve success this season.

After an 8-12 season last year with a 69-50 season-ending loss to Wakefield-Marenisco in the Class D district semifinals, the Hawks return three seniors this year and will bring five newcomers on from last year’s junior varsity team as well as three new faces to the varsity squad.

Marana said things will take time for his young team to gel after losing seniors River Shumate, Dylan Hanninen, Chris Morgan and Kasey Ball to graduation.

“It’s almost like we’re kind of starting over,” he said.

“It was a very senior-led team last year and now, we’re almost back to having a younger team again. It’s a totally different team this year.”

Two players who will need to step into larger roles for the Hawks this season are seniors Jake Carlson and Andrew Olender.

“Jake started for us all of last year,” Marana said. “He’s going to be taking a bigger role in the offense, while Andrew played a bunch of roles for us off the bench. He may end up in the starting rotation, he may not, but he will be picking up a bigger role this year with experience off the bench and also starting a few games for us last year.”

The third senior returner is Justin Anthony, while newcomers to this year’s roster include juniors Kolin Conklin and Jay Fetters, sophomores Eli Luokkala and Logan Hanninen, freshman Kaleb Conklin, as well as Cody Skytta, Derek Koski and Gabe DuPont.

Marana talked about Kolin Conklin and Luokkala having big shoes to fill.

“Kolin finished up on the varsity team for the last four games of last season,” he said.

“He’s got some experience and filled some big roles for us after some injuries late in the year.

“Eli is a sophomore who will have to fill a big role as well.”

As far as the Hawks’ conference slate goes, they’re in for a challenge as always as they opened their season against Dollar Bay Tuesday, a Class D state semifinalist from last season.

“There’s no runaway team this year,” Marana said.

“It was pretty clear the last two years with Dollar Bay, but I don’t think there’s a clear runaway this season. The conference has very evenly matched teams, any of which could win the conference.”

Asked why the Hawks are worth the price of admission this year, Marana said he expects the young players to put on a good show.

“We’re a young team, but we’ve got talent that we can build off of,” he said.

“I think we can win some games and win some close games against some good teams this year.”

Email Ryan Spitza at sports@miningjournal.net.

Republic-Michigamme boys

2018-19 schedule

All times Eastern

Tuesday — at Dollar Bay

Dec. 3 — at Wakefield-M., 7 p.m.

Dec. 6 — at Ontonagon. 7:20 p.m.

Dec. 13 — Mid Peninsula, 6 p.m.

Dec. 17 — at LL Hubbell, TBA

Jan. 3 — Bessemer, 6 p.m.

Jan. 7 — Jeffers, 6 p.m.

Jan. 10 — Chassell, 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 — Ewen-Trout C., 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Watersmeet, 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 — at Baraga, TBA

Jan. 29 — at Jeffers., TBA

Feb. 1 — At Chassell, TBA

Feb. 5 — LL-Hubbell, 6 p.m.

Feb. 8 — Baraga, 6 p.m.

Feb. 15 — Dollar Bay, 6 p.m.

Feb. 19 — at North Dic., TBA

Feb. 22 — at Mid Pen, TBA