Every high school sports season we hear about an underclassmen with immense talent who bursts on to the season and becomes a major asset at the varsity level. For the 2014-15 ADM boys basketball team, that player could be sophomore Larry Larsen.

To consider Larsen a sophomore is to go by the educational system’s definition. In terms of basketball, Larsen has played as much, if not more, than some juniors or seniors. He plays year round with an AAU team, developing his skills as a offensive-minded and savvy guard.

The wiry Larsen is deliberate and thoughtful with has answers, if not understated. But he’s not shying away from making the leap to the varsity level from the freshman team last season. He certainly has the basketball experience and IQ to pull it off.

“I think so, and I’m confident that I have the ability to play with some of the older guys and compete with them at a high level, and help improve the team,” he said.

Larsen figures to win the starting point guard spot because he is solid in so many areas, head coach Aaron Mager said.

“He’s got a nice handle of the ball, which is always hugely helpful in a point guard. He’s got a really nice shot. He can score; he can create his own offense,” said Mager. “And he’s really worked on his defense and improving in that department, which was a weakness maybe a little bit for him last year.

“With all those things, I think he’s going to be one of our most stable and fundamentally guys, and I see that day in, day out.”