Justin Staler caught major attention as a junior last season, tearing apart TAAC defenses on the offensive end.  Staler averaged 15 points per game, but first year Cardinal Stritch coach Dave Reiker knew Justin had some refining to do to reach his full potential.

Staler was the lone bright spot for Stritch a season ago and Reiker knew that opposing defenses would be focusing on Staler this season and something had to be done the help Justin get better, while making the team better at the same time.

“I told him, ‘Everyone can shoot a basketball,’” says Reiker, who starred at the University of Toledo from 1979-1983. “I wanted a player who can not only shoot the basketball, but can dish the basketball, play some defense, and get some rebounds.  I wanted a more complete basketball player.”

And a more complete player is exactly what Reiker has crafted. Justin’s hard work in the offseason and late nights of shooting in the gym with his father have paid off for the 6-foot-1 senior guard.

Cardinal Stritch senior sharpshooter Justin Staler.

“I am much better on defense this season,” says Staler, who is averaging two steals and 3 assists a game.  “I have been able to distribute the basketball and my rebounding has improved on the defensive end.”

Although his scoring is down from 15 points last season to 10 this season because he has caught attention and is seeing a lot of double teams, Staler believes he is a more complete player and the team is better off because of it.  Along with scoring 10 points per game, Staler has improved every aspect of his game.

“As the season goes,” says Coach Reiker, “sure it will look like his numbers are down, but his assists will be up, his rebounds will be up, his steals will be up, everything else will be up, and before you know it he will be back up to 15 points a game.”

Staler‘s unselfish attitude has taken his game to new heights and as Stritch’s schedule eases up, his versatility will begin to show in the win column.

The Cardinals are 2-6 overall, 1-3 in the TAAC as the new year began. Wins were over Danbury (42-39) and Fremont St. Joseph (54-46), but losses have come to Tiffin Calvert (59-43), Toledo Christian (55-41), Ottawa Hills (63-27), Emmanuel Christian (61-36), Woodmore (60-39), and Delta (65-51).

“I would rather make my teammates better and win every game than score a bunch of points,” says the three-year varsity starter. “And I think it’s just a matter of time before we start winning more games.  Come February, I know Coach Reiker will have us ready to make some noise in the tournament.”

Because of his experience with UT, Coach Reiker knows what a high school basketball player needs to do to get ready for college basketball and says Staler has responded positively to his coaching and believes he will be successful at the next level.

“The biggest thing when you play college is desire.  When you go to college, basketball becomes a job.  It’s not really basketball anymore.  They own you.  Everybody knows that.  If you have the desire, you have the skills.  Some kids will have skills, but when you get there and find out what it’s really like, if you don’t have desire, you’re in trouble.” 

Justin Staler is not sure where he will be playing college basketball next season, but isn’t worried. Right now, his focus is on bringing out the best in his young teammates and returning Stritch to its glory days on the hardwood.

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