UMBEL READY TO CARRY LOAD The senior guard hopes to take Poland back to state playoffs

THE VINDICATOR

POLAND — What does every junior who reached a state semifinal want for his senior year?

Of course, a state championship appearance.

Ben Umbel is that senior who was a shooting guard on Poland’s Div. II state semifinalist boys basketball team that lost to Upper Sandusky last March.

“Obviously, I’ve worked hard in the offseason and set goals for myself, but our ultimate objective is to get back to state,” said Umbel, a first-team MAC and honorable mention all-district selection in 2006.

Now back with a bit of a different role as Poland’s point guard, Umbel has made strides to help the Bulldogs accomplish the goal without leading scorer and big man Lou Coppola.

“This year, we’ll run a different style, so I’ll play point a lot,” said Umbel, who will also be a No. 3 guard.

The 6-7 Coppola averaged 11.8 points last season, while Umbel and Chris Lovell added 11 apiece.

However, Umbel led Poland in rebounds (180) and steals (81). He was also second in assists with 63 — behind Anthony DeFelice’s 70.

“I have a long wingspan so I’m good at getting my hand in the lane or getting a lot of tips,” Umbel said. “I’m able to read a defender and get a hand in the way.”

Asked if he brings a lot to the team, Umbel said: “I try.”

Humble Umbel.

He’ll be a three-year letterwinner after starting as a junior. The 6-2, 170 player began his sophomore year on the JV squad, but earned a sixth-man spot on varsity halfway through the 2005-06 season.

Without Coppola, Poland coach Ken Grisdale had to answer a challenge.

He decided to change styles, Umbel said.

“We’ll miss him [Coppola] a lot,” Umbel said. “I don’t know how Lou would fit into our style this year, but I’d love to have him back. We also lost Chris [Lovell] and Charlie [Carchedi] who would have fit into this style well, but, this season, even our big guys run the floor well. It fits perfectly.”

Without Coppola’s presence in the middle, Grisdale decided to utilize the team’s speed and try the transition game. The change is partially tied to Upper Sandusky’s success.

“We’re looking at a style similar to what they did to us in the state semis,” Umbel said. “It’s more up and down.

“They had John Diebler — Mr. Basketball. It was something we’d never seen before. He was 6-7 and brought the ball up the floor and he was fast and could shoot from anywhere. I played better against them because pushing the ball is a style I’m better at.”

All of Poland’s four seniors — Umbel, Bryan Kosec, DeFelice and David White — will play a significant role in the guard-oriented approach.

Umbel, the son of Dave and Diane Umbel, said the transformation hasn’t been radical.

“Ever since I’ve been playing, I’ve handled the ball a lot. All along, coach told me to learn the point as well as the shooting guard position. So I picked up things as I went along and caught on this year. I’ll be bringing the ball up the floor on fast breaks and pushing the ball off misses.”

Umbel will be expected to get his share of the 128 defensive rebounds he owned in 2006-07.

“I’m usually in a spot to box out,” Umbel said of going to the glass, whether a rebound follows a Bulldog goal attempt or an opponent’s try.

“Getting an offensive rebound is what I’ve been conditioned to do. I just instinctively follow my shot, or go after the other team’s miss.”

Umbel’s speed and jumping abililty are invaluable; his vertical leap, unofficially, is 30 to 32 inches.

“I guess it’s something I’m naturally better at,” Umbel said, noting that he’s an inch or so taller than his dad, who also played at Poland.

“Some of my best skills are ball-handling and going to the hoop, so I worked hard getting stronger. I watch college basketball all the time and the best penetrator is a strong point guard. I’m able to get in the lane, finish [make a basket] and make contact [draw a foul]. I think I’m one of the taller point guards around.”

Conditioning over the summer at Sunsations Fitness in Campbell and practice with teammates helped strengthen Umbel, who noted that strength was imperative when playing with Coppola.

In addition to muscle, the wiry Umbel said he gained 10 pounds since the end of his junior season.

Ben expects the Bulldogs to put up better offensive numbers this season.

“Last year, our scoring was spread out among Coppola, Lovell, me, DeFelice [8.7 ppg.] and Carchedi [7.0 ppg.]. This season, we may give up more, but we’ll be running and gunning. Our offense will be generated by our defense getting steals and stuff like that.”

A secondary objective is to be named MAC player of the year or receive state acclaim, but his main focus is to get back to state, said Umbel, the only junior on the MAC’s first team.