Falcons focused on rebuilding in ‘21-22
The Abbotsford Falcons varsity boys basketball team has some big shoes to fill thanks the departure of senior all-state guard Cade Faber and senior all-conference guard Hunter Soyk.
Their graduation leaves a gaping hole on offense and defense, as Faber led the Falcons last year in both scoring and rebounding, with 21 points a game and 14 rebounds a game.
Soyk scored 10 points a game, and the Falcons are also without the services of fellow Class of 2021 graduate Mason Carpenter, who accounted for nearly eight points and six boards last season on a Falcons squad that finished 5-18.
Brent Faber, who took over as an interim head coach, is back to guide the Falcons in 2021-22, and he says replacing those points is the biggest hurdle to the success of the new season.
“I think that’s going to be the biggest question coming in to this year,” Faber said. “It showed in the first game, in that we had a lot of indecision over who’s going to take that next step.”
The cupboard isn’t completely bare for Faber, who returns brothers Adam and Brandon Diedrich, along with JV Castillo and Esteban Gomez.
Both Diedrichs played in all 23 games last year, with Gomez playing in 19 and JV playing in 17 games. Gomez is a player that Faber sees as ready to take that next step with his game.
“He took the offseason to work on his mid-range shots and some other stuff,” Faber said, discussing Gomez. “He’s really improved on that, and if he can get around eight to ten points a game, that will really help us. But no question, some kids are going to have to pick it up a bit.”
Brandon Diedrich will likely be the top threat for the Falcons this year. Brandon came on at the end of the 2020-21 season, and earned honorable mention all-conference in the Marawood - North.
Faber feels that Brandon will be able to get his points, but he expects it to see some growing pains along the way, now that Faber, Soyk and Carpenter are not there to keep a defense occupied.
“He’s going to have to play through the frustration,” Faber replied. “I’m assuming later in the year he’s going to get frustrated because he’s now going to draw the better defenders.”
That’s where Faber hopes players like Castillo, Gomez and Hawkey can step up and provide a spark on offense. And not having Cade Faber in the line-up actually helps the team, says Faber.
“We have to replace over 20 points a game and 15 rebounds game in one player, but I like these guys because this is more of a sharing team,” Faber says.
“I don’t think these guys look to be a leading scorer each night. They’re more about the win than the stat line. They’re very team oriented.”
Where the Falcons do take a hit is at depth and at experience. Faber has a good idea of who his starting five is now that it’s midway through the season, but when fouls begin to pile up, that’s where Faber has to do some tinkering with his line-up.
“What we’re lacking is depth,” Faber said. “In my head, I have about where we are 1-7, but it’s that eight, nine, ten guy. We’re probably going to try a variety of guys past that seven man mark, and it just depends on who steps up.”
And while Gomez, the Diedrichs and Castillo have played varsity before, newcomers like Oswaldo Tomas, or underclassmen like Evan Reis and Preston Bunkelman are coming in with virtually no varsity minutes.
“Our older players have experience,” Faber says. “But basically, we have starters and now bench players who don’t have any experience.”
Faber can see his players making improvements, and he feels the Falcons are grasping his offense.
“I think what we’re running now, and I’ve seen it in the first games already, we’re hitting guys on backdoor cuts, getting open and finding shooters. We’re not just standing and they keep going. But the issue is our depth - as they get tired they start to move less.”
Not having one guy be the scorer is also helping the Falcons let the game come to them, and helping them find teammates.
“I think our strong suit is patience,” Faber said. “If we can be patient enough to win a game 5-2, I’d take it. It’s not about going down and scoring. It’s about executing the right things at the right time.”
Faber knows Abbotsford is in a state of rebuild, and his message remains focused on improving rather than wins and losses. Above all, he hopes to nurture a love of the game among his players.
“It’s always about having fun. That’s why I love coaching, I enjoy being with the kids, and I want them to have fun.”
