KERKHOVEN — The Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg boys basketball team took a step back last season after putting together winning campaigns the previous two years.
Dropping their first six games of the 2019-20 season and enduring a five-game losing streak as the postseason approached, the Fighting Saints mustered a 9-17 record after allowing 62.2 points per game while only scoring 57.5.
However, there is reason for optimism at KMS as one of its better players is back and healthy.
Isaac Call returns to the starting lineup after his season was abbreviated due to injury a year ago.
The 6-foot-3 senior guard/forward averaged 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals in nine games last season. He will team with his younger brother, junior guard Alex Call, to provide the Fighting Saints with a potent combo.
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Earning all-conference honors and voted as the team MVP, Alex Call had a breakout season as a sophomore. He poured in 20.6 points per game — nearly a 10-point increase from his freshman effort — and led the team with 6.7 rebounds.
“It will be really nice to have a healthy Isaac Call back for his last season,” KMS head coach Matt Fragodt said. “Alex Call will lead the way; but those two together are a really good 1-2 punch.”
Issac Rudningen is the team’s third returning starter after being voted as the team’s Most Improved Player last season. The 6-1 sophomore guard averaged 6.8 points per game.
Elsewhere, Gavin Thorson (5-11, G), Gage Thorson (5-11, G) and Drew Johnson (6-0, F) are a trio of juniors who are expected to be key factors.
“We also have some strong younger players that could contribute later in the season,” Fragodt said. “Everyone that we have returning got a lot better throughout the year and we are excited to see what happens this year.”
