Senior guard Kolby Bechen has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball team to a 1-4 record. He is averaging 3.8 points per game and leads the squad with 10 assists.
Bechen scored six points on 2-of-5 shooting from 3-point range as the Jaguars posted a 63-45 win over visiting Valley on Dec. 19 for their first victory of the season. He also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists.
Here is some inside info on Bechen:
Congratulations on the win over Valley. How important was it for the team going forward to get that victory?
It was super important to get our first win in the CIML (Conference), and we’re looking to build off it going forward.
Your team has allowed just 44.3 points per game over the last three contests. Do you think the strength of your defense is becoming this team’s identity?
Our coaches have emphasized defense, and we are happy with our results so far and will continue to improve on defense and also on the offensive side of the ball.
This is a young team with only four seniors, and you are the only senior starter. Have you tried to take over a leadership role?
Yeah, I’ve definitely tried to be a leader to some of the younger guys, but a lot of other guys have stepped up in the leadership role as well.
Sophomore Keaton Kasperbauer scored a career-high 21 points against Valley and leads the squad with an average of 12.4 points per game. Have you been surprised by his emergence as one of the team’s leaders?
No, it doesn’t surprise me. Keaton is a very talented player and a capable scorer. It’s really fun and exciting to play with him.
Prior to the win, your team had suffered a pair of close losses to Dowling Catholic (46-42) and at Urbandale (42-39). Did your squad gain some confidence from those games despite the losses?
Yeah, we showed that we can hang with solid teams and definitely gained some confidence from that.
What has your team been focusing the most on in practice over the break?
Taking care of the ball and being more efficient with our possessions.
This is your team’s first season under head coach Matt Delger, who was previously an assistant under Bob Fontana. Did that make the transition pretty smooth for everybody?
Coach Delger has been around the program so it was an easy transition for everyone.
Has coach Delger made any significant changes to put his own stamp on the program?
He has really focused on building a new culture.
Your team opened the season on Dec. 2 with a 64-21 loss at Waukee Northwest, which is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and has won all seven of its games by double digits. What will be the keys for a team to knock off the Wolves?
The Wolves are an extremely talented team, and you’d have to play your best game to have a shot against them.
Your team will return to action on Friday by hosting No. 6 Waukee. What do you know about the Warriors from your scouting report?
They’re also a very talented team and have guys capable of making plays.
Have you made any plans for next year?
At the moment, I have not.