Madison Heights Bishop Foley had never been considered a boys basketball power.
That was until Marc West took over the program four years ago.
Since West grabbed the reins, Bishop Foley has raised four straight district championship banners, bringing home the school's first ever Catholic League title last season and is a bonafide burgeoning hardwood hotbed.
The 2011-2012 Ventures provide the young and talented sideline general, kicking off his fifth year on the bench, another determined, highly-competitive squad to lead into battle.
"We got some horses back and we expect to contend for both league and district titles again," West said. "That is the standard that has been set by our success in the state tournament the past few years and the fact that the last two we've been at Calihan Hall playing for the Catholic League championship and that's the standard we intend to keep."
Returning a strong core from last season's team, Bishop Foley will be a well-rounded bunch, fueled by the terrorizing trio of seniors Corey Green, Mike Oravetz and Max Aleshire.
One of the best forwards in the area, Green is a 6-foot-4 wing that runs the floor like a gazelle, can bang on the blocks and beat defenders off the dribble on the perimeter. At a recent scrimmage, he more than held his own against Western Michigan-signee Taylor Perry and has already begun garnering interest from a number of mid-major Division I programs. His long distance shooting is the most improved aspect of his game since the offseason began in the spring.
"Corey is set to have a phenomenal year," West said. "He's without a doubt on par with all the best players at his position in the state. We're going to really let him loose this season and people are going to see what a stud he is."
Oravetz and Aleshire are both dead-eye marksmen that can create for their teammates in the lane who will keep defenses honest if Bishop Foley's opponents try to double-up on Green.
The surprise of the season might come from Darius Glover, a 6-foot-5 agile big fella that has natural chemistry with Green and Oravetz, considering the fact that the three are lifelong friends and longtime AAU teammates. After battling injuries last winter following coming over to Bishop Foley with Green from UofD-Jesuit, Glover could be poised for a breakout campaign patrolling the post for the Ventures.
Junior De Shawn Jackson, a key reserve last season, will be the team's floor general and rounds out West's starting lineup.
Senior football star Scott Gwisdella (all-league running back), a defensive specialist that can also bomb away from the deep when called upon, will be the squad's Sixth-Man and also see some spot starting duty.
Imposing freshman Gary Perry, a rangy and athletic 6-foot-6 center, has the potential to be a future star and will be looked upon to give sturdy minutes backing-up Green and Glover in the Ventures' frontcourt.
Joe Oster and Steve Carey are slated to hold down the backcourt reserve corps behind Oravetz, Aleshire, Jackson and Gwisdella.
"We're going to get up and down this season and take advantage of our ability to play full court defense and get the ball in the hoop," West said. "Our backcourt is versatile and knows how to limit turnovers. With Corey I honestly believe we have a special player that will really take things to a whole other level, whether helping out the backcourt or going down low. We'll be a fun team to watch and hopefully can really make another mark for ourselves in the name of strengthening Bishop Foley basketball."
West and the Ventures tip off the upcoming campaign on December 13 against Warren Michigan Collegiate, a team that will have vengeance on its mind coming off a loss at the hands of Bishop Foley last March in the district finals.
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