Posted: Dec. 9, 2009

Oak Creek — The sounds of bouncing balls and squeaking sneakers are all too familiar for girls basketball coach Steve Hluchnik.

It's a tune that he heard for 11 years while coaching at West Allis Central. While he could probably close his eyes and see every member of the Bulldogs' roster, he opens them now to see his new team: the Oak Creek Knights.

Preparing for their home-opener against Arrowhead on Friday, the team spent late Thursday afternoon practicing in the West Middle School gym.

Hluchnik watched intently as the Oak Creek squad ran plays and exercises that were second nature to him, but new territory for the athletes.

"The thing I kind of took for granted when I first got here is the kids (at West Allis Central) knew everything because they had been through the program," Hluchnik said. "The adjustment here was not jamming so much in at them at one time."

It's difficult for most athletes to adapt to a new system. Like anything else, repetition is the only way to turn the unnatural into the natural. This is a concept that Hluchnik understands well.

"We've been going at it for a couple weeks now," he said. "They're ready to play a game."

The Future Five

After ending last season with a 16-7 record and an appearance in the sectional semifinals, the Knights lost some key pieces to their starting five. Among them was center Stephanie Running, who graduated and now plays for Drake University.

Leading the way at point guard for Oak Creek this season is the lone senior and team captain Angela Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who committed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, sees potential in this year's roster and is eager to start the season.

"We're young, we're excited, and we're ready to go," she said.

After averaging 11.3 points as a junior, Rodriguez has already impressed Hluchnik in the first few weeks of practice.

"I've never seen anybody that sees the floor like she does," he said. "She's been a phenomenal player in the past, and I think she's going to be better this year."

Junior guard Cydney Weisflog, who averaged 8.2 points last season, will round out Oak Creek's frontcourt. Hluchnik says she will function as the team's main shooter and backup point guard.

The Knights' backcourt will feature veteran starter Ashley Luke and Stephanie Running's sister, Rebecca. Luke averaged 9.0 points per game last season and as a junior is already getting looks from UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, North Dakota State and Iowa State.

The only hole in the Oak Creek's new starting five is at small forward.

"We got a bunch of kids that are vying for that spot," he said.

Moving forward

Last season, the Knights grabbed headlines for issues both on and off the court. A few players quit the team after reportedly having disputes with then head coach Juile Tyrcha. A month before the season ended, Oak Creek principal Paul Sigler announced that Tyrcha's time as coach would end after just two seasons.

Trying to turn the corner after a season like that would be challenging for any new coach, but players like Ashley Luke feel Hluchnik has done a good job thus far.

"It's really refreshing," she said. "He just came in and really just took over and started implementing a lot of good things."

Among those good things was an open communication policy that includes regular meetings with players and parents.

"As long as everyone is open and upfront and knows what I expect, and how the programs is going to be run, that right off the top should alleviate some of the problems (from last season)," he said.

The West Allis story

Hluchnik was a native of West Allis and also attended West Allis Central. He admits it has been difficult shedding his longtime loyalty to the Bulldogs.

"I'm still having a tough time getting used to wearing the blue and white," he said.

While it took some resolve to throw away his "80-some" maroon and gold T-shirts supporting his old team, Hluchnik needed to look no further than the season schedule to realize it would take even more to get the Bulldogs off his back.

West Allis Central was the first team the Knights faced this season in a scrimmage Nov. 23. The Bulldogs recognized a few of their former coach's tricks.

"They knew the plays that were coming and were able to adjust a little bit," Hluchnik said.

The Knights are operating under the same system that Hluchnik ran in West Allis. The two teams will meet again Dec. 22 in Oak Creek. Until then, Hluchnik is patiently waiting to play a few hidden aces of his own.

"I know every one of their kids and how to play them and when we get a weekly game plan against them, we'll have a good idea on how to shut them down," he said.

Opening act

SCORE: Oak Creek 51, Arrowhead 34

WHEN: Last Friday

LOWDOWN: In Steve Hluchnik's debut as coach of the Knights, Oak Creek's backcourt combo of Angela Rodriguez and Cydney Weisflog combined for 31 points. The guard tandem finished with six 3-pointers and helped the Knights race out to a 19-2 lead after one quarter.

UP NEXT: at Racine Case, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow