Manitowo – when Josh Erickson took over the Roncalli boys’ basketball team in September 2022, he wanted to continue the bar on the basketball program.
Earlier in spring they came out of the second state title in the history of the program and in the last 20 years there were 8 performances in a state tournament.
“He tells us all the time if we play with the Roncalli T -shirt – it’s Roncalli, we must live, strive to meet these expectations,” said younger guard Donovan Cowley.
During the game, Erickson helped to determine high expectations, he was part of one of these eight seasons (2014), which went to Madison. Now he is trying to instill in his players what you need to meet them.
“Much means to give away the community that I love and appreciate, and that I am very blessed, that I am part, so I’m lucky,” he said. “There are many things that come in (doing so to state). We are really trying to stick to the culture we had since I was here an athlete and what coach Garceau had. “
His coaching career in Jets did not start, as he wanted in the 2022-23 season, almost half of the form of Stevens Johnson’s team.
“I spent three weeks in intensive care,” said Erickson. “You basically develop a rash, turn into blisters, and I was in a burn unit, and they treat it like a burn. At that time it was quite terrifying, but since then I almost returned with it. “
Erickson says that it was stressful not to be on the pitch, building the foundation of his program, but he felt the greatest stress for his players.
“I think it was really difficult to miss him because we started with him for about a month or 2, and then suddenly he is not there,” said senior captain Jets Matthew Bonin.
“I think that at that time there were many hard times for seniors who wanted to have a good season and young guys who were looking for leadership and tips,” said Erickson. “It was difficult, at that time I wanted to come back so much.”
Many subclasses played during the first two years of Erickson – where they had problems. In the first year they went 8-17. In the second year they were only 0.500, but ended the season with a regional victory. Now everything they went through led them to being at the top of the Wisconsin Eastern Conference.
“Passing through adversity, browsing difficult games, going through difficult times, made us more prepared and composed this year,” said Erickson.
Jets are improved in the third year of Era Erickson and are excited about what the future will bring.
“We inform you again about our name and just play good basketball,” said Bonin.
