Hentkowski given the reigns of the Posen basketball program

The Posen boys basketball program, which won 25 straight games and played in the Class D state semifinal contest in East Lansing, is being taken over by a familiar face with a lot of familiarity with the incoming varsity players. Posen native Steve Hentkowski has been given the recommendation by the athletic department and was running the first practices of the season earlier this week, along with new assistant volunteer coach Duane Chojnacki. All that?s needed to make Hentkowksi?s hiring official is a formal vote of the board of education at the next school board meeting. Hentkowski was notified within the last couple of weeks that the job was his.

HE HAS BEEN an assistant coach with the varsity program the last three years and has been working as assistant alongside head coach Tom Schellie with the league champion girls team this fall. Hentkowski has also served as a head coach at the junior level. This will be his first head-coaching job at the varsity level. Hentkowski is most known for being a part of the Presque Isle County Basketball Association from its inception and remains a strong supporter of the youth basketball program. Only a handful of players in practice Tuesday, either transplants or basketball first-timers, have not played in PIBA.

When Hentkowski started with PIBA, it was his goal to see one of the county schools, either it be his home district, Onaway, or Rogers City make it out of regionals and move on in the tournament. That goal was realized with Posen?s trip to the final four. Some of the players started their careers and learned many basketball skills from the program.

HENTKOWSKI REALIZES he has a tough task ahead. ?It?s going to be a big challenge,? said Hentkowski during conditioning drills at Tuesday?s practice. He has two returning starters and several players that logged significant time during last season?s 20-0 regular season and 5-1 post season. ?I think the bench is deep

er and I believe we?ll be quicker,? said Hentkowski. With those qualities, Hentkowski would like to play a lot of man-to-man defense, using the quickness of his players and the talent off the bench to keep his opponent off the scoreboard.

Hentkowski will keep most of the offense former coach Ron Misiak already had in place. He does know that the program lost 80 percent of its offense with the graduation of all-staters Matt Ponik and Aaron Hincka, so there is work head and scoring to be found. Hentkowski also realizes there is a lot of heat that comes from accepting the position of head coach in a small community.

?There?s a lot of exposure that comes with the job,? he said. The coach believes he up to the challenge. ?We will work to make athletes into basketball players,? the coach said. ?The ones that work the hardest in practice will get to play.?

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