FVA race to be a grind this season

Updated: Wednesday, 04 Jan 2012, 7:53 PM CST
Published : Wednesday, 04 Jan 2012, 7:48 PM CST

APPLETON - Last year, the Appleton East boys basketball team ran away with the Fox Valley Association title, going 18-0, and winning the league title by five games over second-place Oshkosh North.

This year, there will be no such runaway.

The FVA this season resembles a bunch of bananas because of how close the competition is bunched. Seven teams are 4-3 or better in FVA play, while last season only three teams finished above .500.

The K-towns are leading the way, as Kimberly and Kaukauna share the top spot with 6-1 FVA records, but following is 5-2 Oshkosh North and 4-3 teams Appleton West, Appleton North, Appleton East and Oshkosh West.

Only Neenah (2-5), Menasha (0-7) and Fond du Lac (0-7) are out of the conference race.

Kaukauna might be on pace to win the FVA this season if you believe in patterns. The Ghosts previously won the FVA in 2007-08 and 2009-10. But if the Ghosts are to win their third FVA title in five seasons, it won’t be because the season ends in an even number year.

It’ll be because the defense is stingy â€" Kaukauna has not allowed any team to score 50 points this season â€" and because the Ghosts have enough offense.

Kaukauna is led by a pair of 6-foot-5 seniors who play different games. Jason Miller (14.2 points per game) is a slasher, who can beat defenders off the dribble and shoot over them. Meanwhile, Kyle Schuh (11 ppg.) is a burly post player, who has good moves around the basket.

“Kyle’s a tough matchup,” Kaukauna coach Michael Schalow said. “He’s a big body underneath and he’s got soft hands and a good touch, so we like to run offense through him.

“Jason’s versatile in his attack. He can take it off the dribble and he can beat some teams with the 3-point shot.”

But that’s not all. Guards Riley Vander Wyst (10.8 ppg.) and Jordan Kaufman (7.3 ppg.) also can score. With the balanced scoring, Miller knows it doesn’t always have to be Miller Time.

“If I’m not scoring, I know my teammates will get the ball and put it in the hoop,” he said. “Everybody can score, so it’s really nice.”

As good as Kaukauna has played, it knows no team is likely to run away with the league title this season. There is no loaded Appleton East team this season.

The teams in contention look to be good, but not great, which means the remaining 11 league games for each team should make for some good entertainment. That is why Tuesday night Schalow was more than pleased to win at Appleton North because no road game against a plus .500 team is going to be easy.

Kaukauna grinded out a 42-31 win over the Lightning and that game was a microcosm of what Schalow expects the race to the FVA title to be.

“I think it’s going to be a grind,” Schalow said. “I think the league is very balanced.”

doug.ritchay@wluk.com