Hanover Central’s Brad Rohde, left, tries to block a shot by Lake Central’s Myles Yekich during a game in St. John on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
Baseball might become Hanover Central sophomore Brad Rohde’s only sport at some point.
In the meantime, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward/center is developing into a force on the basketball court. Rohde and 6-6 senior Chase Kuzma have formed a potent frontcourt duo for the Wildcats (10-6).
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“Him and Chase have done a lot for us this year,” Hanover coach Brad Stangel said. “We’ve played through both of them.
“Brad’s really stepped up in a role that honestly he probably didn’t expect coming into this year. We play through Brad a lot. His game — he’s on the inside — but he can also come out on the outside and play. He has great hands. His versatility has allowed us to play through him, and he’s been really efficient this year.”
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Hanover Central sophomore Brad Rohde is averaging 12.7 points and 7.1 rebounds this season. (Michael Osipoff / Post-Tribune)
Rohde was averaging 12.7 points and 7.1 rebounds before the Wildcats’ win at Highland on Thursday. He ranks second on the team in both categories behind Kuzma.
Rohde barely even played last season. But he worked on his shooting and post moves, optimistic he would be “a big part of the team in the paint.”
He also got bigger, stronger and faster. Rohde grew from 6-2 and gained 30 pounds. He increased his caloric intake — “I ate a lot of eggs, a lot of meat,” he said — and hit the weight room.
“I think there’s a couple more inches in him too,” Stangel said. “Maybe we can stretch him out to 6-7 or 6-8.”
Rohde is also a promising prospect as a pitcher, although he played at first base mostly last season. After one game, he broke his left ankle, sidelining him for more than a month.
Rohde’s grandfather, also named Brad Rohde, twice was selected in the Major League Baseball draft — first in the 10th round by the Angels in 1984 and then in the sixth by the Mariners in 1985. He pitched two seasons at Class A in the Mariners organization before an arm injury derailed his professional career.
The younger Brad Rohde doesn’t play AAU basketball, spending much of his summer playing travel baseball.
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“He’s just learning,” Stangel said. “He hasn’t played a ton of basketball in his life. This is probably the most basketball he’s ever played in his life. So 27, 28 minutes a game, it’s different for him. He’s just learning now, and he’s had a really good year so far.
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“Brad’s just scratching the surface. I don’t think he even knows how good he can be. There’s so much more room for improvement.”
Hanover Central’s Brad Rohde, right, pulls a rebound away from Lake Central’s Brandon Escobedo during a game in St. John on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)
In Stangel’s second season as coach, the Wildcats already have exceeded their total victories from last season. They’ve done it relying heavily on starters Rohde, Kuzma, senior Josh Austgen, sophomore Henry Maurer and sophomore Max Wiancek.
“We’re playing a lot better as a team this year,” Rohde said. “Our post game is very good, and we have some kids who can really shoot it too. We’re doing pretty good, and we should be able to string a few wins together.”
Maurer understands what Rohde has meant to Hanover Central’s development.
“Brad makes big contributions to this team,” Maurer said. “With the signature post hook he has, I don’t think anybody can guard it. He’s one of my favorite teammates, one I’m really close to.
“I can joke around with him in practice, but as soon as we get in the game, it’s back to serious. We feed the ball to each other. It’s a mutual respect. I really like the kid as a player and as a kid.”