By STEPHEN GLOVER

For the Call

Andy Guethle knows he has some big shoes to fill this season.

Guethle, the new head boys’ basketball coach at Lindbergh High, replaced Ken Libby, who retired from high school coaching at the end of last season.

The Flyers’ first-year head coach spent the past seven seasons as an assistant at Lindbergh after playing for Webster Uni-versity and Jenks High School in Okla-homa where he played for Joe Holladay, who now is an assistant with Roy Williams at the University of North Carolina.

“When coach Libby decided to retire from high school coaching and go into college coaching, a lot of the kids were wanting me to be the new head coach,” Guethle told the Call.

“For being a first-year head coach, I think I’ve got a great team,” the coach added.

Lindbergh welcomes its leading scorer from last season in senior point guard Richard Williams, who averaged 18 points and 2.7 rebounds a game last year.

Williams also led the Flyers in three-point field goals with 67 and tallied 88 assists, 53 steals and three blocked shots.

“Richard constantly impresses us day after day,” Guethle said. “He’s our captain and this is the team that he’s going to run. I believe that as the season goes on, his name is going to be very well known.”

Sophomore forward Tyler Kiel also returns to the Flyers after recording 6.2 points and 4.6 rebounds a game last season. Kiel racked up 33 assists, 17 steals and 15 blocked shots.

“Tyler’s probably our most improved player overall,” Guethle said. “He’s really learning to play the game to his strengths.”

Guethle also is expecting big things from seniors Ra’mond Johnson and Charles Brooks along with junior Brad Gines.

Johnson appeared in 18 games last season, averaging 2.2 points a game.

The senior forward also recorded 16 re-bounds, four steals and three assists for the Flyers.

“Ra’mond is going to be one of the keys to our success this season,” Guethle said. “He’s really impressed us with what he’s done on the inside during practice.”

Brooks also saw consistent playing time last season where he averaged 2.2 points a game while hauling down 35 rebounds.

“Charles didn’t get much playing time last year,” Guethle said. “He’s a wide body with a good outside shot.”

Gines played the 2003-2004 season at the junior varsity level, but his improvement last summer grabbed Guethle’s attention.

“Brad’s one of those kids that really developed his game over the summer,” Guethle said. “I think that he’s really starting to take in what we’re teaching him.”

The Flyers open the season at home against Gibault at 7 p.m. Tuesday.