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Fergus Falls Boys Basketball (Season Preview)

By Craig Olson, 11/21/21, 5:30PM CST

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The Fergus Falls boys’ basketball team is coming off a 16-8 season which saw them qualify for the State AA Tournament.  They won a thrilling quarterfinal round game against Annandale on a buzzer-beater from Dominic Aguilar before falling to Waseca in a semifinal contest at Target Center.  The loss of Aguilar (Bethel), Abel Aho, Bryce Burrill, Chance Fazio (MSU-M), Austin Rinke and Jack Vogl, has created some holes for the Otters entering the 2021-22 season.

Returning letter winners include seniors Kaden Conklin and Luke Newman, and juniors Elliot Pribbenow and Josh Sternberg.  Unfortunately, Sternberg suffered a season ending ACL injury during the football season.  Head Coach Matt Johnson will be looking for senior Owen Hanson, juniors Grant Ackerson, Erik Hanson, Alex Jensen and Jaydon Manteufel, and sophomores Brandon Anderson, Layten Drouillard, Abe Hylden and Hayden Knick to step into varsity roles.

“We will look a little bit different without multi-year contributors that we lost from last year, but it will be a fun group to watch play,” noted Coach Johnson.  “They will compete, play hard, and play together night in and night out.  We should have good depth on the perimeter that allows us to play an aggressive style.  Rebounding and defending will be keys to our success.”

Ryan Johnson, Keith Pearson and Dan Sternberg will serve as assistant coaches.

Coach Johnson sees Alexandria, Brainerd, Sartell and St. Cloud Tech as the favorites in the Central Lakes Conference and says “Section 8AA should be deep and competitive.”