A fast-paced offense will be the Polar Bear varsity basketball’s main focus this year as they enter Fox Valley Association play.

Coach Matt Hintz guided the Polar Bears to an 11-5 record in the Bay Conference last year, with a 12-11 overall record. Hintz, in his eighth year coaching, owns a 100-64 career record as a coach.

The Polar Bears lost four letter winners to graduation, but eight returning letter winners will help anchor this year’s team.

Senior guards Reece Frederick, Trernton Knupple, Jake Sommers, and Ethan Breidel will provide leadership and stability in the backcourt, while seniors Sean Killoren and Alex Turkow provide some height in the front court. Juniors Kyle Witthuhn and Sam Thompson will add their height and athleticism for the Polar Bears. Killoren and Witthuhn earned Second Team All-Bay Conference honors last year.

Other varsity candidates include senior Kellen Krueger, juniors Dylan Loveland, Trevor Coenen, and Braden Stoeger, and sophomores Charlie Schabo and Ryan Krueger.

“Adjusting to playing in the FVA will be an initial challenge,” said Hintz. “We will be an athletic team that will try to play fast and attack the rim in the half-court with dribble penetration. Defensive effort and focus is a concern for the season.

“Neenah is ranked number one in the state and Oshkosh North is ranked number seven in the state. They will be top teams in the conference followed by Kimberly and Kaukauna who are both ranked in the top ten in the state as well,” said Hintz. “Every game is a battle and you must be ready to play every night.”