Inexperienced Marmion trying to create identity

Marmion is about to become a little less perimeter oriented.

That's what one gathers upon speaking with Cadets' second-year basketball coach Ryan Paradise, who no longer has jovial All-Area guard Eddy Grahovec to swish a program-record 93 three-pointers in a season.

A true competitor, Paradise naturally sets a goal of a Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division championship; last season the Cadets placed third at 5-5 and it'll be tougher with Wheaton Academy joining the Blue.

To achieve this goal, at least a couple things must happen.

"We need to play tremendous defense and rebound the basketball," he said. "I think some of our defense will turn into offense, and I think our attitude offensively needs to be taking care of the ball and attacking the paint. If we can attack and be aggressive while taking care of the ball and not turning it over, we'll be fine offensively."

Paradise said there are about 15 players fighting for playing time.

"We're in the 'prove-it' stage," he said, and identified a few players central to the cause.

Alex Theisen, a 6-foot-1 junior and sole returning starter, expands upon last year's duties as defensive stopper and outside shooter. Paradise is handing him greater offensive responsibility including helping run the Cadets' offense.

Pete Stefanski, a long 6-5 senior returner, will also be required to do more. Paradise sees him attacking the rim and using his size, somewhat like a lankier Mark Berdelle of last season.

Some things don't change. Another huge Glasgow will patrol the paint, Ryan following the graduated Graham. Owning quick feet to go with his 270 pounds, the 6-4 Glasgow can be an offensive mismatch and a brick wall on defense.

Paradise said 5-10 guard Jake Ruddy is the type of bulldog defender every team needs. He's looking for 6-4 junior Colin Kavanaugh to be an inside-outside presence at the power forward spot.

In SCC play none of these players averaged more than Theisen's 3.9 points per game. Positions remain unsettled, as does an overall identity.

Perhaps that identity will simply be what Paradise likes so much about this group.

"Everybody's rooting for each other," he said, "so even though we don't have a lot of game experience coming back as far as returning starters, the attitude and work ethic of our guys as well as some of the new athleticism will push us in the right direction."