Eventually, Lansing Catholic will have to play Lansing Sexton if it wants to win the Class B boys’ basketball state title.
But for now, the Cougars are going to enjoy the season while it lasts.
Coach Darren Zwick’s Cougars were 15-0 going into the final weeks of the regular season.
“It’s been a good combination of baseline, perimeter play, and the inside game,” Zwick said. “Our defense has been very good. We lost about seven seniors from last year, but we did return seven juniors, four guys who have played during their sophomore season.”
Lansing Catholic was 18-5 last year and lost to eventual Class B champion Lansing Sexton in the postseason.
The Cougars anticipate another showdown with Sexton down the road and are optimistic it will be different this time.
Zwick and his players realize the challenge that they face. “The key for us is our size and strength,” Zwick said.
Steve Repichowski has been among the standout players for Lansing Catholic.
“He’s a very good player who is 6’5″ and plays a guard position,” Zwick said. “He’s averaging a little over 20 points. He is shooting the ball very well.”
Peter Murray has also been sparking Lansing Catholic by averaging 4.5 steals per game.
Cooper Rush, quarterback of the football team, is averaging 11 points and 7.5 rebounds per outing for the basketball squad, in this, his third year on the varsity. “He’s played varsity since his sophomore year for us,” Zwick said. “We’re off to a great start; I’m proud the way the guys have been working.”
Rush said, “We’re very talented. We knew we were pretty good. We had some good wins [against Okemos and Waverly] early in the year. Everyone does their jobs. Our defense really gets our offense going a lot. We play a 2-3 zone.”
Rush said there are six football players on the basketball team. He is the only football player who starts. “I post a lot and rebound,” he said. “If I can shoot, I will.”
Rush had 21 points and 13 rebounds against Traverse City St. Francis in one of his bigger games of the season. He’s going to Central Michigan fniversity to play football. “This is my best year in basketball so far,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it. I’m a pretty good shooter. I post a lot down low.”
Rush was hopeful of going 20-0 for the regular season, but to accomplish that, Lansing Catholic has to get past non-league powers like Holt and East Lansing.
If his team winds up playing Sexton, Rush has confidence.
“Every day, coach says we prepare to meet the best,” Rush said. “That’s what we work on every day. I think we would have a chance. It would be a good game. They’re an unbelievable team. It would be a fun game.”
Football and basketball complement each other for an athlete, as far as Rush is concerned.
“Basketball has helped a lot, we run a lot in basketball,” Rush said. “It keeps you active. I enjoy playing it. I like it.”