Pewaukee JV2 boys basketball looks to make a run this upcoming season

Kollen Osterman, Editor | 12/02/21

The typical JV2 (freshmen) boys basketball team is usually for developmental stages only, but a solid performance in any given season can reflect the groundedness of the program. With the basketball season approaching this November, Pewaukee's JV2 team is nothing special when looking at the tryout list. Coach, Brian Karas, has his sights set on an entirely different goal: An undefeated season.

Karas has been coaching Pewaukee for three seasons now and has the program’s objectives plastered in his brain. The last three seasons have been nothing to brag about. The records were: 19-3 (2018-2019), 19-3 (2019-2020), 17-5 (2020-2021).

In a recent interview, Karas said, “Well, as a coach, you're always reflecting on the season before and seasons before that looking at drills that work that were engaging and ones that didn't. Looking at the ways you coach, the tone you use didn't register or not because every JV2 team is different.” The mindset of Karas is quite mature which gives the Pewaukee program hope this upcoming season.

It’s difficult to coach a team right after a respected coach leaves. In 2017, Jim Reuter left coaching the JV2 team and became the Girls Varsity head coach at Pewaukee. He has had a lot of success; Reuter was the first coach to ever bring the Girls program to state just two years ago. Karas doesn’t skip a beat and is anticipating this season like none before.

Although most critics basketball, it is possible to see some raw talent come out of the team. In the 2014-2015 season Pewaukee legend Grant Basile played JV2 basketball and ended up being the top leading scorer to ever come through the program. Basile also holds the record for most points in a game with 49 on the varsity level. When asking Coach Karas about Basile, Karas said, “I won't have anyone on the team that was 6’1 started as a freshman, but he worked extremely hard, harder than anyone else. Had a passion, had a drive, had someone drive him extremely hard: his father. Grant got what he got through the work he put in.”

Karas is one of the behind-the-scenes guys who doesn’t get a lot of credit. He constantly works his ass off without recognition. Time and time again he is relied on for the necessities of getting the program up and running. When asked who inspires him most, Karas said, “I don't think of anyone in particular. I just think the profession as a coach inspires me in general and has since I was a kid. Getting to teach, getting to impact young adults' lives. I'm a competitive guy so the game itself is pretty much a rush.” Inspiring words from Karas leaves spectators itching for the 2021-2022 season. Everyone is ready to see what Karas can pull off.