Delano's Michael Yahnke wasn't sure how the basketball season was going to play out.

As a junior, the 6-7 center averaged 18.2 points per game on a senior-dominated team. This year, Yahnke had to take on a new and perhaps more important role: leader.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked with Yahnke about the changes he's had to make this season and what his future holds.

Q This is a much younger team than last year. How has the season progressed?
A It's actually been going really great. At the beginning, we were so young that we had a lot of work to do. But now we're 14-4 and playing really well, so everything has been going good.

Q How have your responsibilities changed?
A Last year, we had seven or eight seniors on the team, so I didn't have to do much. Now I'm one of three seniors and I'm a captain, so I have to be more of a leader.

Q So it's been a learning experience for you.
A Yes, a really big learning experience. I've never been in this position before.

Q What has been the biggest thing you've had to work on?
A With all of the young guys, I have to watch myself and not get too down on them. Sometimes they rush things too much, and I have to catch myself to make sure I don't get mad.

Q As a senior and one of the top post players in the metro, you must be getting a lot more attention from opponents. Has that been a difficult adjustment?
A At first it was. But we actually have more shooters on this team this year. I'm getting more and more comfortable kicking the ball back outside and letting my teammates take the shots.

Q Which obviously opens things up inside for you.
A It's definitely been getting better. At first, I didn't trust my teammates, but now I do. Teams are finally figuring out that we have two or three shooters who can make shots. It's been really fun.

Q You've committed to play at Texas-Pan Am next year. Where is that and why?
A It's in McAllen, Texas. I took a visit down there and I really liked the campus. And the weather is pretty much tropical. It's 70 degrees in the winter.

Q That's a long way from home. How did Texas-Pan Am enter the picture for you?
A It really was kind of shocking. I played in a tournament and one of their coaches noticed me and contacted me. I don't think I ever thought I'd go that far from home, but it hit me that it might be a really fun thing to do.

Q It's obviously a lot different than Delano. What was the biggest difference you noticed?
A Well, everybody down there drives really big trucks. Other than that, it didn't seem too different, other than the weather.

Q With you and Jordan Smith of Orono and Shelby Moats of Waconia, there's a lot of star power in the Wright County Conference this year. Does that make the season more fun?
A Those guys are really great players. It's just a different feeling when we play those teams. The gym is packed when Orono and Waconia come to town.