It was a busy summer for Ken Hunter, and that was months before he officially opened basketball practice as the new coach for Suttons Bay.

But the hectic summer scrimmage schedule was nothing like the 16 years Hunter spent as men's basketball coach at Division I Long Island University, when he routinely spent

Christmas at tournaments half a country away from home.

"I never had a losing season," recalled Hunter.

Hunter, now retired, brings a distinguished resume to his latest coaching job. He has coached high school basketball teams to championships on the West and East coasts, spent one year as coach at Columbia University in the Ivy League, and served as principal for several years at a New York-area high school.

But now he is concentrating on the boys' basketball program at Suttons Bay, which if the results of preseason scrimmages can be trusted appears to be on the upswing.

Despite losing six players from the 2006-07 squad to graduation, the Norsemen compiled a heady 27-2 record in summer play, including impressive wins at tournaments Benzie Central, Gaylord and Manistee. The squad won the first season for a summer league of Leelanau County squads with an 11-1 record.

Last week, the Norsemen stayed undefeated in a 5-team preseason tournament hosted by Manistee.

All that after a disappointing 9-12 season.

"The kids were very competitive," said Hunter. "I was pleased with what I saw."

He is installing a new offensive system that is still being learned that relies on pushing the ball up the court.

"We're calling it the giddy-up offense. We don't have a lot of speed, but I think it still has its distinct advantages."

Size, however, shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially after 6-foot-4 Nalen Brockman's collarbone heals about the first of the year. Nick Loberg offers power moves with his 6-foot-5 frame. Ben Walters at 6-2 and Blake Ibbotson at 6-4 also provide height.
Andrew Wheelock is a point guard who could always shoot, and has greatly improved his ball-handling skills.

Freshman Dwaun Anderson, at 6-foot-3, is "going to impress some people," added Hunter.

The Norsemen will be challenged early, though, opening the season Tuesday at St. Francis. The Glads' freshman, sophomore and varsity records a season ago added up to 55-5.

"That tells you something. We're going to be tested severely. I just want us to play well, that's all," said Hunter.