A quick glance back on Tosa basketball

To say it was a tough year for the Wauwatosa East and Wauwatosa West boys and girls basketball teams would be an understatement. One number sums up the story.

.372

That number represents the "winning" percentage of the four local basketball teams this year, only one team with a winning record.

The Red Raiders boys' overall mark was 14-10 (. 583). But the other three teams had a combined .300 "winning" percent (21-49). The individual teams breakdown was West girls (10-14, .417), West boys (6-17, .261) and Tosa East girls (5-18, .217)

Here's a quick look at some of the positives on each team.

Tosa East boys

Coach Tim Arndorfer team had 11 seniors on the squad, so despite a winning record, there was a general feeling that the Red Raiders should have been better. Tosa East's best player - maybe a better term is most consistent - was Nate Moore, the team's point guard, who was their best all-around player. Anthony Carroll was their most naturally talented athlete, and Ben Mihelich wasn't far behind. Ben Carpenter, whose bright future lies on the baseball diamond, was another excellent athlete Arndorfer could call upon.

Derrick Hurt, Kyle Vnuk and Mich Dillon provided some height for the Red Raiders and these seven formed the heart of the rotation.

The Red Raiders did finish the season on a positive note, winning eight of their final 12 games, including victories over Marquette and Pius XI in the postseason.

Tosa West girls

Ashley Imperiale did a good job in her first year as the head coach. Her passion for the game carried over onto the court at times. The Trojans really did not have a star player, but several solid players who played together at the end of the year. In fact, a couple of games I saw, Imperiale's girls worked their offense and passed the ball as well as any team I watched this year. They finished the year going 6-7 in their last 13 games, and their future is bright.

Tosa West boys

Coach Chad Stelse had perhaps the best player in the city in 6-foot-1 inch sophomore Andre Carroll, the younger brother of East's Anthony. He averaged 15.1 points per game and is a talented, athletic player to watch. Steffan Brown, Blake Harvey, Reggie Casion, Nakeem Evans, Austin Jones, Jack Krenzien and Cole Harvey all had their good days but not enough of them.

Tosa East girls

Katie Salmon is one of the best players I have seen this year. Outside of Alayah Walls, the Red Raiders point guard, there is not a lot of athletic kids on the roster. The Red Raiders did finish 2-3 in their last five games.