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Forest Park boys basketball faces challenges with youth

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Forest Park boys basketball team faces key losses from last year leaving a roster slim on experience.

Head coach Chris Nocerini said it’ll be tough to face the Skyline Central Conference with more youth than usual.

“Being a young team with very little varsity experience, every time we take the court it’s going to be a challenge,” Nocerini said. “We’re looking at each game as a learning experience and hope to improve with each challenge, putting together a competitive team in the end.”

The Trojans return key lettermen like seniors Daniel Nocerini, Dodge Isaacson and Casey Steiro. Nocerini, a four-year starter, was a unanimous all-conference pick last season.

“We’re fortunate to have Daniel as our leader,” coach Nocerini said. “His attitude on the football field this year proved he has leadership abilities to make a great team. He has the experience and patience to work with young members of this team. Daniel will adapt his game around his new teammates.”

Forest Park also carries seven juniors and two sophomores.

Last year, Forest Park finished 22-3 with each loss to North Central, including one in the regional finals.

From that team, the Trojans lost key players like Connor Kezerle, Billy Ragio, Kameron Krajewski, Adam Hilberg and Kyle Soderberg to graduation. Ragio, Krajewski and Kezerle earned conference honors.

Forest Park opens the season Monday with league foe Mid Peninsula at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium.

Nocerini expects his Trojans to be a “battle-tested, ready team” by March.

“It may be a rocky start but it’s how you finish that will be remembered,” Nocerini said.

This year’s roster (* denotes letter winners):

SENIORS — Daniel Nocerini*, Dodge Isaacson*, Casey Steiro*

JUNIORS — Connor Bortolini, Josh Logan, Dawson Ponchaud, Hunter Alder, Jacob Frisanco, Jonah Logan, Tyler Peltoma

SOPHOMORES — Riley Hendrickson, Max Nylund

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