Drive, desire to fuel Hawks’ season

HOUSTON — Any way you look at it, Houston is the smallest team in the Mid-Alaska Conference.

Off the court, Houston doesn’t boast anywhere near the enrollment of its conference foes. On the court, Houston faces a similar disadvantage in terms of the size of its athletes. But what they lack in size, head coach Dave Porter expects his Hawks will make up in intensity and enthusiasm.

“The group we have is smaller, but we’re transitioning to a more fast pace,” Porter said recently. “We’ll press, trap, get up and down the floor.”

Porter believes he has a group of athletes ready to make hustle an emphasis at Houston.

Guard Max Rothley leads a senior class that also includes veterans Aaron Richardson and Zach Holmgren. Newcomer Brett Lapham and Jeff Thompson, who returns after a two-year hiatus from the program, will also add depth to the senior class.

Porter is excited about a talented group of juniors that includes guards Beau Frank, Scott Kramer and Russell Ruta, and forwards Tyler Barron and Theo Stone-Jirik.

Freshmen, such as Matt Barron, will also earn minutes, Porter said.

Holmgren provides the most size for the Hawks, standing at 6-foot-4. Porter said he will be a key inside. Otherwise, Houston will play to its strengths.

“We’re stressing defense a ton,” Porter said. “Trapping, pressing, getting up the floor on offense.”

Porter and his coaching staff will have to find pieces to fill the void left behind graduated seniors and leaders Zack Qual and Mitch Montreuil.

Qual was a top three-point shooter in the MAC and Houston’s floor general. Qual represented a chunk of Houston’s scoring last year. This year, Porter said it will be more by committee.

“We won’t be shooting as many threes, spreading it out with the points,” Porter said.

Porter said he has already seen the balanced scoring during his team’s scrimmages.

Kramer is expected to handle the ball much of the time, but with a team full of guards, Porter feels he has several who are capable.

Houston is traveling Outside for a tournament for the first time in four years. This week, the Hawks will compete in the Merv Lopes Holiday Classic in Hawaii.