Kansas Hardwood 2014 by Sixteen 60 Publishing Co.

Volume 3 • 2014-15

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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Inside Features: • Kinnamon brothers believe in character — on and off the court. • Wallace County’s Rachael Kuhlman is ready for return to state. • Central Plains’ Reagan Phelan is a basketball powerhouse. • Many more features. • And previews from more than 100 Kansas high schools.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

s I reviewed information from the 2013-14 Kansas high school basketball season, an article in the Washington County News caught my attention. It was the Week 1 Rankings from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association in Class 2A and Class 1A, Divisions I and II. The predictions came close to the way the season ended. On the boys’ side, the coaches had St. John-Hudson on top in Class 2A and Marais Des Cygnes Valley in the lead in Class 1A, Division I. Class 1A, Division II was a bit more difficult to predict. The coaches’ third-place choice — Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton — took the state title. The girls’ side offered a similar outcome — Hoxie placed first in Class 1A, Division I and Baileyville, which ended the season with a state title, placed third in the coaches’ early poll. Pat Stiles and his Central Plains Lady Oilers delivered the biggest surprise of the season. The Claflin team was always good, but the Lady Oilers could do no better than ninth place in the coaches’ early rankings of Class 2A. That honor went to Hillsboro, followed by Smith Center, Jefferson County North, Sterling, Olpe, Moundridge, Meade and Washington County. In fact, Central Plains carried home a state title this past season. And that’s the thing about basketball. No matter how good a team is, no matter the coach or the fans — you never know what’s going to happen. The worst team in the league — armed with the proper motivation — can be a winner on any night on any basketball court in Kansas. This could be another one of those years. Almost every coach interviewed for this edition of Kansas Hardwood was optimistic about their team’s chances. This season also brings us some great young players to watch — Dean Wade at St. John-Hudson; Grant Raleigh at Hesston; Cooper Holmes at Concordia; Bradley Werth at Hays; Rachael Kuhlman at Sharon Springs; Reagan Phelan at Central Plains; and Kylah Comley at Sterling. There are many more, but you get the idea. This should be another great year for Kansas basketball. So get out and support your hometown teams and please let us know your thoughts about Kansas Hardwood. This is our third year and we still have bigger and better things planned for the future. Exciting things. Just like the sport this magazine promotes. Linda Mowery-Denning Kansas Hardwood

On the Cover The Kinnamon basketball clan — from left, Cole Kinnamon, St. John-Hudson head coach Clint Kinnamon, Kade Kinnamon, McPherson head coach Kurt Kinnamon and Kyler Kinnamon. See Pages 6 and 7 for story. Photo at bottom, Wallace County’s Rachael Kuhlman goes up for a shot during a game this past basketball season. See Page 40 for story.

K ANS A S

RDWOO

Count on another great year of hoops

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John Baetz Publisher Co-owner of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine and Kansas Mat Preview, and The Lincoln Sentinel-Republican and Chapman News-Times weekly newspapers.

Bree McReynolds-Baetz Publisher

Co-owner of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine and Kansas Mat Preview.

Linda Mowery-Denning Publisher Publisher and Co-owner with Morris Multimedia, Savannah, Ga., of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter and the Marquette Tribune.

Layout and Design: Linda Mowery-Denning, Bill Beckmeyer and Kayla Kvacik Sponsorship Sales: John Baetz, Tyler Gier and Dori Weber Contributing Writers: Brent Maycock, Mark McCoy, Matthew Denning, Diane Gasper O’Brien, Randy Gonzales and Melanie McGee Staff Photographer Mark McCoy Copy Editors John Baetz and Juanita Kepka Mail questions and comments to: kshardwoodmag@gmail.com or to: Kansas Hardwood PO Box 186 Lincoln, KS 67455 (785) 472-5085

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

What’s Inside

Pages 6-7 — Kinnamon brothers are champions on and off the court Page 8 — Concordia Panthers look for return trip to State Pages 9-12 — Brent Maycock previews the upcoming season in Classes 4A, 5A and 6A Pages 12-18 — Team snapshots Page 19 — Sterling’s Kylah Comley works the court. Page 20 — Randy Gonzales looks at this season’s 3A prospects Pages 21-27 — Team snapshots Page 28 — Reagan Phelan is the soul of the Lady Oilers Page 29 — St. John-Hudson’s Dean Wade goes purple Page 30 — Layne Bieberle values defense Page 31 — Mark McCoy previews Class 2A Pages 32-39 — Team snapshots Page 40 — Wallace County’s Rachael Kuhlman looks to state Page 41 — Randy Gonzales previews Class 1A, Division II Pages 42-48 — Team snapshots Page 49-50-51 — Otis-Bison, Beloit-Tipton St. John’s, Hoxie Pages 52-57 — Class 1A, Division I preview and snapshots

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Class Champs

Playing the Right Way

Brothers coach life lessons on — and off — the court

Story and Photo by Mark McCoy

doing most of the chores. I think I was a AWRENCE — Lawrence, Kan., season for McPherson, is the son of freshman before I ever wound up beating Kurt. Kade was a senior for the Tigers home of the University of him one-on-one.” and his brother Cole was a freshman on Kansas Jayhawks and the Bill Both men recall playing basketball Clint’s 2A State team. Self High School Basketball Camp, is a “It was kind of a dream season for us,” about every day as they were growing up, sweltering sauna in June, thanks to the even after working wheat harvest. Clint said. Kansas River and the close proximity of The bothers followed the same career The sons of educators, Clint and Kurt the mighty Missouri River, just about 30 path. Kurt played on the 1982 State grew up in St John, about 50 miles west miles east of Mount Oread. Championship basketball team from St. of Hutchinson. Their father, Jerry, was Inside Allen Fieldhouse, two coaches John and then played basketball for an industrial arts teacher and their of 2014 State champion basketball mother, Kay, taught children with learn- McPherson College. Clint followed his teams, the brothers Kurt and Clint older brother to McPherson when he ing disabilities. Neither parent was a Kinnamon, were busy sweating in the graduated from St John High. basketball star. stifling heat as they worked with some “Freshmen weren’t of the top high school allowed to play on the varsibasketball talent in the "You need to get kids to play hard, play unselfishly and share ty my senior year. I’m sorry state. the basketball — to make the extra pass and you will have Clint missed out on a State Kurtis, the eldest championship as a player,” brother by three years, a chance to be pretty good,” Kurt said. “The biggest thing graduated from St. John I think is being unselfish. Unselfish means to do what your Kurt said. Kurt landed a job teachHigh School in 1982 role is to help the team.” ing following college and and is the head boys’ Kurt Kinnamon was the freshman basketball basketball coach for the McPherson basketball coach coach for five years in vaunted 4A 2014 State McPherson, then was the Champion McPherson head high school coach for Bulldogs. He has been Canton-Galva two years working the KU basketbefore taking the reins of ball camp for 19 years, “My dad was a trackster. My dad actu- the McPherson program. beginning with coach Roy Williams. “I was lucky enough to get, what I Clint is the head coach of the 2A 2014 ally won the State track meet singleconsider, is the best basketball job in the handedly in high school in three events State Champion St. John-Hudson state,” Kurt said. “The facilities — the Tigers. He has assisted Kurt at the camp from Sylvia High School in 1960. Back Roundhouse is second to none — the then, the 15 points he won were good for 17 years. Between the two brothers, support of the fans is second to none. It’s enough to win the state title,” Kurt said. they have coached a total of eight State a dream job to have, plus I get to teach champion teams. Kurtis has five trophies “He coached some football in his early sixth grade. Not many high school basin the showcase at McPherson and Clint years of teaching. My dad never claimed ketball coaches get to teach sixth grade. I to know anything about basketball.” has three State trophies in the showcase get to do what I enjoy and love to do.” Both brothers remember going to the of the brothers’ hometown. After college Clint coached at gym when their parents were working “I don’t know, I haven’t done any Arkansas City for four years and then after school or on weekends and credit research, but it probably never has hapwas the girls’ head basketball coach for that time with falling in love with the pened before,” Kurt said about two Claflin for five years. game. They also spent time in the brothers coaching State championship Kurt wrote a letter to University of Stafford gym with their grandmother, teams in the same season. “The other interesting thing is that Matt Richardson who was the board clerk for Stafford and Kansas head coach Roy Williams in in Hesston is also a St. John graduate. To challenged the young boys to beat her in 1988, William’s first year at Kansas, asking for a job at the annual summer basfree throw contests. have three St. John boys end up with ketball camp. The brothers have worked “If you beat Grandma, then you were State titles in one year is pretty cool.” every KU summer basketball camp since, The Kinnamons’ 2014 State titles were doing something. We also spent a lot of time on the driveway playing one-on-one except the year they were coaching the family affairs in more ways than one — for chores,” Clint said. “And dummy me, both coaches had sons playing on the championship teams. Kyler, a senior this being three years younger, I wound up See BROTHERS, Page 7

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 7 Kurt Kinnamon, right, advises a player to be mentally tough as his brother Clint nods his head in agreement at the Bill Self University of Kansas basketball camp at Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence. By Mark McCoy

Brothers Continued from Page 6 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game. In fact, Kurt wrote a LOT of letters. “When I first got married I was dumb — I worked Indiana, Southwest Missouri, I worked Oklahoma State, I worked three weeks at KU — I spent the whole summer working basketball camps,” Kurt said. “Maybe that was a good thing, maybe Cindy was glad I was gone, I don’t know. But as a young guy traveling around I learned a lot of things. I worked [Indiana] Coach [Bobby] Knight’s camp for five or

six years. You get to see different personalities and how they do things to get the same thing accomplished.” For the Kinnamon brothers, the KU camp is a chance to spend quality time together, bounce some ideas off of each other and talk a lot about basketball and coaching. The brothers have also worked Coach Williams’ basketball camp in North Carolina. “We consider Coach Williams a mentor and good friend. He was a guy who had time for young guys and Coach Self has continued in that tradition. It’s a good time for coaches to network and learn some

stuff at that camp,” Kurt said. “My kids think that I know every coach in the state of Kansas,” Clint joked. Over the years, the camp has become a well-oiled machine, the brothers said. What one brother says is what the other brother is thinking. That tandem thoughttrain has forged a simple, but effective basketball philosophy for both men and their teams — share the ball, be good students and be mentally tough. “You need to get kids to play hard, play unselfishly and share the basketball — to

Good Luck, Bullpups!

See BROTHERS, Page 21

839 Kiowa Road McPherson, KS 67460

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Class 4A

Concordia

The Panthers are there for each other Story and Photo by Linda Mowery-Denning

t’s a warm Wednesday afternoon in September and the nine students gathered in the gymnasium at Concordia High School are more interested in football than they are in basketball. The feeling is temporary. Concordia is home to the talented Holmes brothers — Grant and Cooper — who this past basketball season led the Panthers to a record of 19-6 and a fourth place finish at the Class 4A, Division II state tournament. Grant has since moved on to Fort Hays State University, leaving Cooper, a junior, to step into a more visible leadership role. And, while Grant’s graduation left a

hole in the Panthers’ overall game plan, the players who will step on the court come November are confident of another good season. Concordia also lost 5’8” Kaleb Pounds, who averaged 8 points a game. “I think we’ll have the same opportunities,” Cooper said. “I think this will be a fun team to watch and we’ll work hard.” Michael Roe, who is in his third season as head coach, said this year’s team is loaded with chemistry. “They are good teammates to each other and that’s something that is really going to help us a lot,” he said. Ian Nordell, a 6’3” sophomore, agreed. When someone makes a mistake

“they’re there to pick you up,” he said. Much of the buzz surrounding the Panthers is directed at Cooper Holmes, a 6’4” junior, who another coach in Class 4A described as a “fantastic” player. He averaged 19 points per game as a freshman, becoming the first freshman to lead the North Central Kansas League in scoring. He bumped up his average to 23.7 points per game his sophomore year and grabbed 192 rebounds during the 2013-14 regular season. In the three games played by Concordia at state, Cooper averaged 26.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and went 19-21 from the foul line. One of those games, See CONCORDIA, Page 9

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 9

Salina Central reaches for respect

By Brent Maycock For Kansas Hardwood

he time is now for the Salina Central girls. Not for the Mustangs to prove that they are a good team. They’ve done that, posting a runner-up finish in last year’s Class 5A state tournament to cap a stellar 23-2 season. No, now is the time for Central to prove that it’s a program. To prove it doesn’t take a once-in-a-lifetime class for the Mustangs to be among the state’s best, that success can be sustained over the long haul. That’s the task facing Central coach Geoff Andrews and his team this season. And he hopes they are up to the task. “I think it’s huge for us as a program

because we’ve tried for so long to build this up,” said Andrews, who is entering his sixth year at Central. “At the same time, we put a whole lot of eggs in the basket of that Class of 2014. Even though the momentum is there, we also know there’s a whole lot of building that’s going to have to take place for this new group. “We look at other programs, like the McPhersons, Andover Centrals and Maizes and they’re the measuring stick. They do it every year. Now our girls know what a good program looks like and we just have to continue to stay there.” It won’t be easy. That Class of 2014 that Andrews spoke of? Yeah, it was good. Standout Shaelyn Martin was an All-

State selection and is now at Kansas State. Guard Emily Wood is playing for Nebraska. Four other seniors that played key roles are also gone. In all, the Mustangs graduated 98 percent of their scoring and must replace a group largely responsible for a four-year run that produced two state berths, a second-place finish (best in program history) and a 67-23 record, including 56-13 the past three years. What returns is largely unproven. Seniors Marysa Bradshaw (5’5” guard) and Bailey Driver (5’11” forward) are the only returners that saw a fair amount of time last year and both suited up for the 2012 state team as freshmen, but Driver has battled injuries throughout her See GIRLS, Page 10

Concordia Continued from Page 8

LINDA MOWERY-DENNING/Kansas Hardwood

Members of the Concordia Panthers boys’ basketball team are, starting in the back and going from left to right: Billy Bechard, Matthew James, Ian Nordell, Manny Mares, Ethan Bechard, Cooper Holmes, Gilberth Garcia, Chase Streeter and Jace Coppoc.

against three-time state champion Scott City, ended in an overtime loss of 77-75. Cooper was named AllClasses Sophomore of the Year at the end of the season. Basketball is in his family’s DNA. His father is Derek Holmes, Concordia principal and assistant boys’ basketball coach, who played at Friends University, Wichita, for Ron Heller. Cooper’s mother is Tracy Holmes, a high school standout and Heller’s daughter. Family legend says Grant’s grandfather dropped a basketball in his crib the day he was born. Cooper followed his older brother onto the basketball court, starting with backyard games. “Since day one, it’s just kind of what we’ve grown up doing,” Cooper said, nodding at his dad, standing nearby. The depth of talent on this season’s Concordia team goes

beyond one player. The Panthers have three seniors — Chase Streeter, Gilberth Garcia and Jace Coppoc — and a bench filled with juniors and sophomores looking for chances to make their marks. Garcia played baseball before his family moved to Concordia from Houston and he discovered basketball in junior high school. “I just kept getting better and better,” he said. This past season was the first time Class 4A schools played in two divisions. The good news for Concordia is that it now faces schools of similar size. The bad news is that several of the schools in Class 4A, Division II are loaded with basketball tradition. Coach Roe said the good outweighs the bad. “It’s a big help for us. Our opportunity to go to state has gotten a lot better,” he said. State. That ‘s exactly where the Panthers intend to end up this season.

Page 10

Girls

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

(6’0” forward, 10 ppg, 7 rpg) and Macy Franson (5’11” guard, 10 ppg, 6 rpg). That group nearly rode their late-seacareer and neither has been asked to son surge to a first-round upset of topcarry the load like they will this season. seeded Burlington, falling 40-34 after Central did have an undefeated JV leading most of the game. squad last year, led by sophomore guard Though adjustments will need to be Casey Knoth (5’9”), but the question made to Edwards’ style, the Tigers have remains how well that group will transithe pieces in place to make a run. tion to the varsity level in the ultra“We were step for step (with tough Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League. Burlington), even ahead for a majority of Andrews said he has seen plenty of the game,” Edwards said. “We were 8-14 momentum carry over from last year’s and still were playing a team that was run, which ended with a 64-53 loss to close to undefeated and gave them a run Leavenworth. for it. If we’re fortunate enough to get to “It’s almost a chip-on-the-shoulder state again, I’d feel confident as a coach confidence,” Andrews said of his returnthat we could handle whatever we came ing players. “For so long, they knew the up against.” Class of 2014 was extremely good and Of course those feelings are shared by put in a lot of work to get us where we their fellow league schools. Concordia are. They’ve been waiting for their time split the regular-season and have been really good series with Clay Center at working hard in practice and doing all the right "I hope our schedule helps us out. [Taking second] definitely and was the top seed at added a whole lot of excitement this summer for this group sub-state before falling things. I know that deep 48-40 to the Tigers in the down, they really want to and they want to continue that winning tradition.” finals. prove a point that they Geoff Andrews That ended a 14-8 seahaven’t just been sitting Salina Central basketball coach son and has served as serion the bench. Their menous motivation in the offtality is, ‘It’s our turn and season. we’re ready to show what “I think it’s really lit a we have.’ fire under them,” Concordia coach “The girls came up with a motto, ‘Rise spread the schools out. Last year, Clay Center was a somewhat Michael Wahlmeier said. “They came in to the Occasion.’ It’s finally our turn to and worked really hard this summer. of a surprise as a state qualifier in Class show what we have and let’s see if we They know what the goal is this year 4A Division II. The Tigers finished the can prove that Central wasn’t just a oneregular season just 6-14, but knocked off and I think they’re ready to get after it.” and-done team.” Like Clay Center, the Panthers return league rivals Chapman and Concordia in The task before them is a daunting plenty to make a deep run. Though gradone with Class 5A flat-out loaded across sub-state play to reach state for just the second time in program history and first uation claimed all-leaguer Megan James, the board. Defending champion senior Tristen Leiszler (5’6”) was the time since 1999. Leavenworth returns virtually its entire team’s leading scorer last year, averaging “I think they definitely played their squad and is so talented Andrews said, 16.6 points per game. Sophomore Jordan “(They) might be penciled in the top five best ball at the end and having played in Eshbaugh (5’10”) added 7.4 points and a that league prepared them for that,” said of NCAA Division II; they’re just loadteam-best 8.7 rebounds last year as a first-year Tiger coach Jeff Edwards, who ed.” freshman. coached eighth grade at Clay Center last Kapaun was third at state and returns Abilene and Chapman each finished year. standout guard Sam Bachrodt (5-9), with sub-.500 records, but both return “It said a lot that the girls came out of while state-qualifiers Aquinas, Seaman the bulk of their squads. Despite losing the regular season 6-14 and still got to and Eisenhower both return the bulk of Kaylee Page, Wamego will still be a force state. Meeting up with some of (the their squads and Andrews said Newton with All-Stater Lanie Page, a Nebraska league schools) three or four times, that could be a force this season. Great Bend commitment, back for her senior year. placed fourth in 5A, but graduated eight record couldn’t be overlooked at all.” Both Abilene and Wamego will be 4A Clay Center won’t slip off anyone’s seniors. Division I, while Clay Center, Concordia Central has added games with Seaman radar this year. Last year’s squad didn’t and Chapman will be Division II. have a single senior on it and this year’s and Eisenhower to their schedule to go If the basketball sub-states shake out team will be senior dominant with seven along with their tough league slate. like the volleyball ones did in the fall, the returning that were on the state roster “I hope our schedule helps us out,” Andrews said. “[Taking second]definitely last year, six of whom played major roles See GIRLS, Page 27 led by all-leaguers Macey Dieckmann added a whole lot of excitement this Continued from Page 9

summer for this group and they want to continue that winning tradition.” If navigating the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League is a bit like tip-toeing through a minefield, then doing the same in the North Central Kansas League is somewhat of a mini-version. While Class 4A Division I runner-up Wamego ran away with the league title a year ago, the graduation of All-Stater Kaylee Page has potentially brought the Red Raiders back to the pack a bit and the rest of the league will be waiting and hungry. No other league team finished with fewer than three league losses last year and the balance in the league this year could not only produce an interesting chase for the title, but also a handful of state qualifiers if sub-state assignments

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 11

Hays eyes new challenges

By Brent Maycock

However, the Indians did return their biggest piece. Senior center Brady Werth (6’7”) is the two-time reigning WAC player of the year and has committed to Fort Hays State. Last year, Werth averaged 15.1 points and 10 rebounds per game and garnered a resume full of postseason honors. And while his supporting cast this season is virtually unknown, Keltner likes what he has to go with his post standout, particularly point guard Isaiah Nunnery. The 6’3” junior led the team in steals (2.4 per game) and added 5 points and 2.4 assists per game coming off the bench. Senior Cash Hobson (6’0”) and soph-

“We kind of have the mantra, which a lot of people have used, and that’s ‘To win the day,’” Keltner said. “Somebody ick Keltner’s phone wasn’t asked me the other day about what I exactly ringing off the hook, thought about going to 4A, and I just nor was his e-mail inbox filling told them, ‘We tried to win the day in up with congratulatory offerings from 5A and we’ll try to win the day in 4A.’ his basketball coaching colleagues. It’s not going to change our approach Perhaps they knew the same thing one bit. “I think there are just good Keltner did. Hays’ drop from Class 5A teams in every class. Some years 5A is to Class 4A doesn’t significantly alter the really good and some years, 4A might be landscape ahead of the Indians as they better. resume their pursuit of a state title. This could be one of those years where “We’re excited, but we know wherever 4A Division I with the likes of we go, there are going to be some really McPherson, Abilene and Buhler and good teams there,” said Keltner, who others is going to be just as tough as any enters his 30th year at Hays and is 383class we could be in. We haven’t really 251, the winningest talked about it coach in program much. The kids are "We kind of have a mantra, which a lot of people have used, on the same page. history. “We certainly know we’re and that’s ‘To win the day’ ... We tried to win the day in 5A Nobody’s really going to have to talking about anyand we’ll try to win the day in 4A. It’s not going to change thing but trying to play some really good basketball to be a good team.” our approach one bit.” accomplish the Funny Keltner Rick Keltner things we want to should mention Hays coach accomplish.” that trio of 4A Hays accomschools because plished plenty in they could be Class 5A a year awfully familiar ago. before the season concludes. McPherson, omore Shane Berens (6’3”) also are The Indians put together an undefeatAbilene and Buhler are not only tradiexpected to make impacts. ed regular season, winning the Dodge tional 4A programs, but also happen to “We’ve got some guys nobody knows a City Tournament of Champions and the lot about that just need to get some more be the same three schools Hays’ football Western Athletic Conference title along experience,” Keltner said. “Once they do, I team has found itself grouped with in the way. The winning streak reached 23 think we’ll be very competitive and it just district play, arguably the toughest disgames before a heart-breaking 48-40 loss comes down to how hard you work every trict in any classification in the state. to Highland Park in the state tournament day. The good thing about last year, a lot If the same foursome are combined in semifinals — a game that was tied with a of our games weren’t close games. What basketball, it won’t be a cakewalk, either. minute to go — and a two-point loss to does carry over is even though these guys McPherson, after all, is the defending Wichita Heights in the third-place game. didn’t play a lot of minutes, they saw Class 4A Division I champion, capturing The 23-2 season was arguably the best some time and saw the mentality last the program’s 11th state title last year in school history, only topped in state fin- year’s guys had. The leadership we had with a 57-40 victory over Hayden in the ishes by the 1944 Class A state champilast year has always transferred over to championship game. The Bullpups will be onship squad and the third-place finish in these kids.” loaded to make another run, graduating 1996. At his initial team meeting every year, only the Horton twins, Ryan and Peter, Working on two straight state-tournaKeltner points his finger to the northeast off last year’s 23-1 squad. ment appearances (2013 ended with a and asks his team, “What is that?” The Senior guard Kyler Kinnamon (5’10”) first-round loss to Lansing), Hays was answer in the past has always been was an All-State selection after filling up going to have to replace some key pieces Topeka, site of the Class 5A state tourna- the stat sheet a year ago (16.6 points, 3.4 off last year’s team as graduation claimed ment. rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.4 steals per six seniors, four of whom were starters. The location may be different this year game), while Drew Pyle (6’2”) was sec“They were dynamite for us last year ond on the team in scoring at 9.7 points — Salina’s Bicentennial is the Class 4A and kept getting better every year,” Division I state host — but the direction per game. Keltner said. “They made a lot of plays and focus remains the same for the See BOYS, Page 12 for us.” Indians. For Kansas Hardwood

Page 12

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Boys Continued from Page 11 The Bullpups got a huge addition in the offseason as well, welcoming transfer Payton Stephens from Manhattan after he led the Indians in scoring a year ago. Abilene was 14-8 last year, falling in the sub-state finals to McPherson, while Buhler went through a rebuilding year last year and was just 7-14. Tradition-rich programs such as Hayden, which returns the bulk of last year’s runner-up squad, and Miege, which has longtime coach Rick Zych back at the helm, also make the 4A terrain a difficult one. Hays’ departure from 5A further opens up a class that already appeared to have a wide-open look to it entering the 2014-15 season. State champion Lansing said goodbye to seven seniors, including AllStater Joe Schneider and super-athletic Khalil Bailey. Runner-up Highland Park bid adieu to six seniors and legendary coach Ken Darting. Wichita Heights, third a year ago, must replace leading scorer Ealy Bell. If the door to the title is truly open, Salina Central certainly seems capable of stepping through it and winning its first crown since 1983. The Mustangs were somewhat surprising state qualifiers last year, putting an up-and-down regular season behind them and upsetting Andover 62-60 in the sub-state finals on RaShun Allen’s miracle buzzer-beater.

Central nearly knocked off Hays in the first round at state, falling 48-46 when the Indians’ Lane Clark made two free throws with 18.2 seconds left to cap a rally from six down in the fourth. That close call has been a big offseason motivator for the Mustangs, who finished 13-10. “They can not wait to get started and neither can I,” Central coach Doug Finch said. “Our motto last year was no excuses. We had some times were I felt like we should have won some games, ones we definitely let slip through our hands. But the kids never lost faith and even in the state tournament we had our chances. It was a season I’ll remember for the rest of my life just because of the shot in substate that RaShun made to send us to state. It was fun.” Though Central will have to replace three seniors, including leading scorer Treyton Hines (16.1 ppg), there is plenty back for this season to be even more fun. Senior Jordan McNelly (6-3) was a close second to Hines for the scoring lead, averaging 15.7 points per game, and also led the Mustangs in rebounding with 10 per contest. Allen (6’2”) was more than a one-hit wonder, ranking third on the team in scoring (6.8 ppg) and sophomore Brayden Neuschaffer (5’9”) was solid as a freshman, averaging 6.7 points a game. What the Mustangs will lack in height, Finch said his team will make

up for by being one of the quickest he has ever coached. And though he expects the usual suspects to once again find their way to the Topeka Expocentre for the state tournament, he also believes that if his team can make a return trip, it could be another fun year. “The traditional powerhouses out there did lose a lot of kids,” Finch said. “Some of these schools, like Highland Park or Wichita Heights, they just have kids sitting there waiting their turn. So it’s going to be tough no matter who you go up against, but I do think that 5A is as wide-open as I’ve seen it in quite awhile.” In Class 6A, Maize was the only program not from the Greater Wichita Athletic League or the Kansas Citymetro area to crash the state-tournament party and wound up finishing fourth. After slipping by Olathe East 44-43 in the first round, the Eagles ran square into the mini-dynasty of Blue Valley Northwest in the semifinals and lost 61-42 before falling 65-60 to Wichita East in the consolation game. If the Eagles can replace six seniors, opportunity is there now that Northwest appears vulnerable after winning two straight titles and making the championship game five straight years. Multi-sport standout Connor Lungwitz (6’5”) will lead the way for the Eagles, who were incredibly close to following their football team and dropping to 5A.

Manhattan Indians

anhattan’s basketball program has been forced to adapt to a lot changes since the beginning of the 2013-14 season. Benji George stepped in as interim head coach after Tim Brooks resigned this past year half way through his 10th season with the Indians. George was later named head coach. The Indians finished the season with a three-point loss to Topeka High in the first round of sub-state. Despite all of their setbacks, Manhattan looked to move forward with its leading scorer and rebounder, Payton Stephens, returning for his senior year. However, Stephens surprised everyone and transferred to McPherson. In 2014-15 the Indians are going to have to find a new identity with their head coach and a group of players searching for a new leader.

Girls Maize ended Manhattan’s 20-game winning streak in the 6A state semi-finals this past season, as the Indians finished 4th in State after a phenomenal season led by senior Darby Price. Losing Price, a 6A All-State selection will be a big hit to take for the Indians. Caroline Ballard will anchor the Indians as a senior, after being named to the All-Centennial League team and averaging 13 points per game. The Indians ran through their league last season with an undefeated record, making it to State for the second time in three years. Manhattan will be in serious contention for another league title in 2014-15, with hopes of another state berth.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Garden City Buffaloes

he Buffaloes open their 2014-15 season with a solid nucleus of junior and seniors. Returning from last season are starters Caleb Tramp, 6’5”, 210 lbs. senior; Jared Koster, 5’10”, 170 lbs. junior; and Luis Rodriguez, 6’5”, 190 lbs. senior; and part-time starters, seniors Akil Love, 6’0”, 155 lbs; and Miguel Olivas, 5’7”, 145 lbs. Garden City finished this past season with a 13-9 record and a loss to Wichita North in the sub-state championship game. “We should have the opportunity to make it back to State after missing out on making it last year,” said Jacy Holloway, the Buffaloes head coach for the past four years. He said his team’s success will rest on three accomplishments — shoot a high percentage from the field, out rebounding opponents and manage depth.

Page 13

Holcomb Longhorns The Longhorns went to State in 2014 and it could happen again this year. Holcomb finished the season with an overall record of 20-4, losing in the first round of State to Nemaha Valley.

Four players return from that team: seniors Dalton Gottschalk, 6’3” guard, Trey Sleep, 6’4” forward, and Calen Rupp, 5’9” guard; and

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The Lady Buffaloes lost one of their key players to graduation. The good news is that Jaymie Bernbeck, a first team all-league player, returns for the 2014-15 season. The 5’10” senior averaged 12 points and six rebounds a game during the 2013-14 season. The Lady Buffaloes finished the year with records of 13-7 overall and 4-3 in league. David Upton earned WAC Coach of the Year honors after the 2012-13 season when his Lady Buffaloes finished with the best record in school history, 17-4. Six players, including Taryn Tempel, a conference player of the year, were lost to graduation earlier this year. Another five, including Bernbeck, will comprise the senior class. They are: Jessica Hinde, Alex Telfair, Breece Dreiling and Alexis Elliott.

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oug Finch, who begins his 11th year with the Central boys’ program, starts the season with the same expectation as always — for his team to play at a high level. This season, Mustang hopes will center on senior Jordan McNelly, a 6’4” post player who earned honorable mention all-league recognition as a sophomore and All-State honorable mention as a junior. The team’s other All-State honorable mention was Treyton Hines, who was lost to graduation. In a season when Central finished with an overall record of 13-10 and a league record of 6-5, McNelly was first in Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I District in rebounds with 10 per game and fourth in average points with 15.7 per game. The fact he’s back isn’t the only good news for the Mustangs. Central’s record included seven losses by six points or less, and nine of its 10 losses came against teams that won at least 15 games this season. But the Mustangs began winning those close games late in the season, including an overtime victory in the sub-state title game at state-ranked Andover. Central fans hope the improvement will continue. Another player with the potential to contribute to this year’s season is Rashun Allen, also a senior, who averaged 6.8 points per game during the 2013-14 season and 1.7 rebounds.

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Great Bend Panthers

he Lady Panthers have their work cut out for them to beat this past season’s 21-4 record, including a perfect 8-0 ending in the Western Athletic League. Head coach Carrie Minton, who took the reins during the 2013-14 season from veteran coach Jason Tatkenhorst, took her girls to a fourth-place finish in Class 5A at State. Gone from that team is 5’10” Morgan Harwood, who was named to the Girls’ All-State Tournament team after sinking 28 points and grabbing 35 rebounds and also was included as a honorable mention in the Kansas Basketball Coaches All-State team. Other seniors also were lost to graduation, leaving the Lady Panthers with this year’s senior class of Peyton Burkhart, Kacee Kasselman, Hannah Mauler, Mariah Stein, Regan Unruh as well as returning junior Lauren Welsch. Boys

Panther fans saw their young team get off to a slow start before finding a little rhythm midway through the season, when they won six of seven games during one stretch. They finished with an overall record of 7-14 and 4th in their Western Athletic Conference behind Hays, Dodge City and Garden City. Head coach Chris Battin, who started the season with one returning starter, saw his Panthers post a better record than the year before. The goal this season is to continue the improvement. Returning players include: seniors Shade Wondra, Blake Sullivan and Tristan Titus, junior Trey Ibarra and sophomore Kody Crosby. Battin is in his sixth year as Panther head coach.

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yan Stuart took over this past season as the head coach of the Lady Cougars after serving as assistant coach to Jason Hooper, who moved over to the boys’ program at South. After having only one returning starter on his roster his first year, Stuart ended the season with an 4-17 overall record and a 1-11 record in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division I League. That starter was 5’7” senior Emilee Holloway, who averaged 5.4 points a game her sophomore year. She is the clear leader of a team, which also has two lettermen, seniors Bayli Huffman, 5’9”, and Bre Hogman, 5’4”. They are joined on the roster by three other seniors, Kaci Isaacson, Melissa Mahoney and Teaonie May. “I feel we continued to improve throughout the season and were playing our best basketball at the end of the year. I am excited for the upcoming season, we should be much improved. How many more wins that equates to is yet to be seen, but we should definitely be more competitive in 2014-15. Senior Emilee Holloway, a 2nd AVCTL performer a year ago, will be asked once again to provide leadership; however, the supporting cast is much more experienced than a year ago,” Stuart said. Boys Jason Hooper, in his second year as the Cougars head coach, posted an 8-14 record during the 2013-14 season. That included 3-7 and a lastplace finish in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division I League. Justin Stonebraker and Ryan Fox, both returning starters and both playing their third season at the varsity level in 2013-14, were lost to graduation. Other seniors also played their final games at South, leaving the Cougars to finish their quest of a .500 season. South has reached double digits in wins only once in the past eight years. Returning are: Jacob Marcotte, 6’0” point guard, and Dylan Becker. Both are juniors.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

atch out Concordia and Wamego. The Cowboys expect to be in the running this season for the title in the competitive North Central Kansas League. Abilene finished the 2013-14 season with a 14-8 record, losing in the finals of 4A Substate to McPherson. The Cowboys return three starters: Tanner Hoekman, 6’1” senior, guard-forward; Eric Harms, 6’7” junior, post; and Ryan Wilson, 6’0” sophomore, guard. Head coach is Terry Taylor, who has a 118-45 win-loss record during his seven years at Abilene. He said team veterans will need backup from younger players. “Athletic young players from 16-1 junior varsity team will need to step up to varsity level for us to improve on last year’s 14-8 record. I have confidence they will do so,” Taylor said. Girls Steve Riedy has a strong foundation on which to build as he starts his first year as Lady Cowgirl coach. Junior Belle Barbieri, a 6’1” post, and Mckenzie Funston, a 5’7” sophomore guard, are back. Joining them is junior point guard Cara Donley, who came to Abilene from Salina’s Sacred Heart High School. The three together average more than 40 points a game. Less-experienced seniors and younger players complete the roster. “I expect we’ll be good by the end of the season. We’re young, but we’re athletic and have some skills,” said Riedy, who also coached at Hope for 28 years.

K ANS A S

Andale Indians

ndale’s Lady Indians are loaded with seniors this season. They are: Brittany Meyer, Leah Reichenberger, Abbie Maxwell, Lauren Rowland, Kylee Ebert and Shelby Venjohn. Andale head coach Mark Kerschen returns for his seventh season after finishing the 2013-14 year with a 13-8 record, losing in the first round of substate. He thinks his Lady Indians could place first in league for the second year in a row. Boys Everyone returns from this past season’s 22-3 team, including starters Hunter Knoblauch, Clint Walstad, Jason Hermreck, Lane Macari, and Jeff Ast. That’s the second year in a row the Indians have ended with a 22-3 record and third at State. Coach Jeff Buchanan’s goal is to get back to state tourney. Expectations are high with this many returning and hope they will excel even more than last year.

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Buhler Crusaders

he Lady Crusaders are loaded with potential — and experience. Jon McLean, who starts his first year as head girls’ coach after 17 years on the boys’ side, hopes to bring it all together. “A big key will be how these girls can gel as a team,” he said. “Team chemistry is so important when you have some talent ... We have several girls that can score. I will want them to really get out and defend and try and create more scoring opportunities so they can adjust to how I want them to play.” Returning starters are: junior Jessica Steffen, 5’8” guard; and seniors Alex Keller, 5’7” guard; Kellie Burns, 5’10” post; and Kilyn Domsch, 5’8” forward. The Lady Crusaders finished the 2013-14 season with a record of 15-7 and a loss to mighty McPherson in the sub-state finals. Boys Another year and veteran head coach Dennis Wahlgren expects his Crusaders to be “stronger and more experienced. Our team should be considerably better. So with four returning starters and two lettermen, the prospects appear bright and should make for an exciting season.” Returning starters are: senior Shawn Davis, 6’2”; and juniors Noah Webster, 6’1”; Jordan Wedel, 6’0”; and Jace Williams, 6’5”. Senior Ethan Ricker, 6’0” senior; and Ethan White, 5’8” sophomore, return as lettermen.

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Hays Indians

he Hays girls’ basketball team didn’t win a game last season, finishing 0-21. Coach Kirk Maska lost just one senior off that squad, and hopes his returning players can profit from last year’s tough times. “We got a lot of young girls playing time,” Maska said. The Indians have three returning starters in senior guards Mattie Schlaefli and Summer Smith and junior forward Audra Schmeidler. Playing time is there for the taking, Maska said. “Most of the positions are wide open,” he said. “It’s who worked hard in the summer, and this fall, going to step up and get starting positions. … If we work hard, we’re going to be a lot better ball club.” Boys The Indians will be led by back-to-back player of the year Brady Werth, a 6’7” senior, who averages 15.1 points a game and 10 rebounds. Joining him on the court will be Isaiah Nunnery, 6’3” junior, who coach Rick Keltner calls “a happening waiting to happen.” Others are: 6’0” seniors Cash Hobson and Nathan Romme. “We graduated six very good seniors,” said Keltner, who is in his 30th year as head coach. “[But] we feel that we have good depth and expect good practices. Our goal is to play fast, play hard and finish and ‘win the day’ every day in practice and play together, play hard and smart — we will have a lot of fun.” Hays finished the 2013-14 season with a 23-2 record, including a substate title.

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Chapman Irish

ick Evans is encouraged by the progress he saw over the summer in his Lady Irish. “Our team has the potential to be very talented,” said Evans, who is in his first season as head coach after coaching boys’ basketball at Blue Valley for two years. Returning starters are: seniors Lindsey Hurford, 5’6” guard, and Milea Anderson, 5’9” power forward/wing; and juniors Macey Langvardt, 5’9” point guard, and Jessie Heiman, 5’11” center. “We need to limit the turnovers and win the rebounding battle,” Evans said. “We need to be more consistent, and that has been a work in progress all summer. I believe our consistency will be a huge key for us this season. Our defense needs to create easy baskets for us on offense, and we need to try to get to the foul line and finish at the foul line. “This could be an exciting season for us if we take care of us first.” Boys Play hard. Play solid defense. Build team chemistry. Those are head coach James Bell’s keys to success for his 2014-15 Chapman Irish. To help with the task will be two returning starters, Kade Stroud, 6’3” post, and Kade Sims, 5’10” guard. Others who are expected to contribute are: senior guards Zach Harris, Tucker Maloney, Thomas Miley and Brant Blixt. “We have to learn to compete on every play and learn our new offensive and defensive

systems,” said Bell, a veteran coach who is in his first season at Chapman.

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here’s excitement in the air as the Tigers welcome Kelly Williams, who is in his first year as a head coach. Williams said the keys to success will be “great physical and mental effort everyday as we will be introducing a new style and approach to the Tiger program. There will be a lot of learning taking place throughout the year, so we’ll have to possess a certain level of resolve and resilience as we encounter challenges that arise anytime you take on something new.” Clay Center finished the 2013-14 season with a 4-18 record and as sub-state runner-up. Two starters return, senior Brady Hammel, 6’2” guard/forward, and junior Lane Liby, 6’1” guard. Other returning players are: seniors Caleb Carlson, 6’2” forward; Ian Roetman, 6’2” guard; and Bo Richardson, 6’1” guard; and juniors Ethan Rozean, 6’4” forward; and Caleb Siebold, 5’11” guard. “We’re expecting to compete night in and night out in a tough North Central Kansas League and improve ourselves to a level where we can get a State tournament birth come March,” Williams said. Girls The Lady Tigers also have a new coach, Jeff Edwards, a 14-year veteran. Clay Center returns its five starters from the 2013-14 season, which ended with an 8-15 record. They are: seniors Macy Franson, guard; Mack Edmundson, point guard; Macey Dieckmann, center; Emily Ebert, guard/forward; and Lorren Williams, guard/point guard. Three sophomores and two juniors also return. The Lady Tigers kick off their season Dec. 5 against Rock Creek.

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Colby Eagles

t’s a rebuilding year for the Eagles after losing five starters, including three who played for a combined 10 years in high school. But all is not lost. “We do have a solid core of players with significant varsity experience and a large and talented sophomore class,” said Kevin Brown, who is in his second year as head coach. “Our main focus this year will be on fundamentals. To compete, we will have to play in a manner where we take care of the ball on offense and lay hard, tough defense — so there will be lots of work on the basics.” Returning players are: seniors Aaron Faber, 5’9 wing, Caleb Mazanec, 6’3” post, Ashton Russ, 6’2” wing, and Austin Russ, 6’2” post; junior Chandler Comfort, 6’1” point guard; and sophomores Brooks Curry, 6’3” post, Leighton Rinehart, 5’10” wing and Donte Whitfield, 6’2” post/ wing. Girls Ryan Becker starts his second year as head coach of the Lady Eagles after ending the 2013-14 season with a record of 9-12 and a third place in league. Returning starters are: juniors Brenly Terrell, 5’8” point guard who averages 8.7 points per game and 3.9 rebounds, and guard Brielle McKee and seniors Hannah Strange, forward, Shaila Giebler, guard, and Brooklyn Bange, guard. “We have five players returning who have started at some point last season and plenty of experience and newcomers who should help us this season,” Becker said. Lost to graduation was Colby’s leading scorer, Haileigh Shull.

Holton Wildcats

he Wildcats are loaded with seniors this season. Returners include guards Taylor Deniston, who averaged 12.8 points per game and four rebounds, and Garett Beecher, who contributed 13.6 points and 2.4 rebounds. Holton finished the 2013-14 season with a record of 17-6 and 11-3 in the Big Seven League behind Sabetha and Nemaha Central. Girls The Lady Wildcats hope to get

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Concordia Panthers

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he Lady Panthers M icha el E.M iller,O .D.,P.A. coach of the Panthers with hope to build on .K u eker,O .D.,P.A. high hopes for his team, and Richa rd J J. their 2013-14 record the 2014-15 season. In his 2 222 W S ixth S t of 14-8, which includes ending years with the Panthers, Roe C on cordia,K S 66901 Substate as runner-up. has established a winning cul(785) 243-3386 Returning players are: ture in Concordia, and has O ffice H o urs By AAppo ppo intm ent Tristen Leiszler, 5’6”, senior compiled an impressive 34-13 point guard; Molly Adams, overall record. “My expecta5’11” senior center; Jennifer Boley, 5’9” senior tions for our team is to continue the tradition center; Maggie Lambert, 5’6” junior guard; and of working hard and competing at a high level,” Jordan Eshbaugh, 5’10” sophomore forward. Roe said. “We’ll look to compete for a league Michael Wahlmeier has been Concordia’s title and a trip to state.” The Panthers return 3 head coach for three years. His overall record starters from a team that finished 4th in 4A is 19-45. DII state last year, and just missed the state His goal is “to build on the success we had championship game by 2 points in the semilast year.” For Wahlmeier that means “playing finals. All returning starters are upper-classhard on every possession. Staying healthy will men, and should be expected to anchor anothbe key to having success.” er solid team for Roe in 2014. Boys Michael Roe enters his third year as head

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thanks the coaches, players, and parents for their help with this year’s edition. Good luck to all the Kansas teams. Have great seasons!

See story on Page 8 for more details on this season’s Concordia Panthers.

Concordia’s power team on and off the court!

Braden Bruntzel

Music Is My Second Language

BY TAMMY BRITT After receiving his master’s degree in music from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Braden Bruntzel came back home to Concordia to help others make beautiful music. Braden who has loved music from a young age, can play and teach a wide range of instruments, but his true love is the French horn. Playing in a band is much like participating in sports, “it teachers patience and teamwork” says Bruntzel. “Music has so many benefits from changing attitudes to aiding in learning, especially languages”. “Music is a second language”, then laughingly adds, at least it’s mine”. During his years playing on the Concordia High School band, Braden has collected a number of fun memories. His fondest are of traveling to San Diego to perform and playing at the Shrine Bowl a couple of times. While at Bethany College, Braden had the opportunity to study sound engineering and traveled with the Bethany Jazz Band as the “sound guy”. In 2013, Braden was offered a full-time position as an instrument repair technician for B & J Repair, located at Tom’s Music House in Concordia, where he had worked part-time the past six summers. “Concordia is the perfect place to live as it’s in the middle” says Braden, who is a sound technician for a band in Nebraska, and plays every chance he gets in the Salina Orchestra.

BY TAMMY BRITT With three boys all under the age of five, Garrett and Amber Farha laughingly admit the teamwork, time management and patience they learned playing high school sports is invaluable. The Concordia couple remember their high school and college days fondly and hope to pass on their love of sports and the values of hard work, determination and teamwork to their children. Garrett was a popular Concordia High School Panther, lettering in cross country, track and basketball. He continued as a point guard for Cloud County Community College where a pretty blonde on the women’s team, Amber Hein, caught his eye. Two years later Garrett and Amber both went on to play basketball for Saint Francis University. At SFU Garrett led the NEC in 3-point shooting percentage and assists, finishing 9th in the nation in assists his junior year. Amber knows how to handle a ball, having played volleyball, basketball, and soccer at Buhler High School before signing with the Cloud County Community College women’s basketball team. At Cloud County, Amber and Garrett were both honored as national Academic All-Americans their freshman and sophomore years. While playing for SFU, Amber led the NEC in 3-point shooting percentage her junior year and was an integral part of the 2005 NEC championship team that went on to lay in the NCAA tournament. In 2007, when a career opportunity became available in the small north central Kansas town he was raised in, Garrett jumped at the chance. Amber followed in 2009 when she accepted the position of Finance Director for the City of Concordia. As Special Projects Manager at F & A Food Sales, Garrett is happy to be involved in his family’s business. In his spare time Garrett volunteers as an assistant coach for the Cloud County Community College men’s basketball team. When not chasing around their boys, Amber and Garrett remain active by running and competing on City league basketball teams.

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mprovement is the name of the game this season for the Indians. Following a 13-9 season that ended with the Larned boys being sub-state runnerup, the Indians are left with one starter, Tyler Stelter, 6’0,” 185-lbs. senior. Head coach Don Zimmerman said his team “will be competitive, tough, young.” Keys to success will be Larned’s younger players working to improve and individuals stepping up to provide leadership. This is Zimmerman’s third season at Larned, where his overall record is 19-24. He is former head coach at Sterling High School and Tabor College.

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McPherson Pratt Bullpups Greenbacks

cPherson almost always is a contender; however, some years are better than others. This definitely could be one of the good years — at least the second in a row after the Bullpups carried home a Class 4A, Division 1, State title this past season by defeating Topeka Hayden 57-40. Returning from that championship team are senior guard Kyler Kinnamon, an All-State selection, and junior Drew Pyle, who scored 21 points in the win against Hayden. Add Payton Stephens, a 6’5” transfer from Manhattan, and this season is shaping up nicely for head coach Kurt Kinnamon and his Bullpups.

Editor’s note — See cover and Pages 6 and 7 for story on the remarkable coaching Kinnamon brothers. Girls Girls And the rebuilding continHead Coach Chris ues. The Lady Indians finished Strathman’s Lady Bullpups finthe 2013-14 season with an ished the 2013-14 season with overall record of 4-15 and no an overall record of 17-6 and a wins in its Central Kansas perfect 10-0 and first-place finLeague, which fielded a state ish in the Ark Valley-Chisholm championship in Class 4A with Trail Division III League. the Hesston Lady Swathers. The Lady Bullpups lost four Larned lost three seniors to key players to graduation, howgraduation, including Tiara Diaz, ever, junior Ashtyn Shieferecke the team’s leading scorer. is a returning starter. Returners include seniors “The girls had a good sumShaylene Shepherd, a 5’5” mer of basketball and should guard who averaged 5.5 points have gained some confidence in per game, and Maci Perez, 5’8” our new team. This will be a forward who contributed 3.9 more versatile group than we points per game. Also on the had last year,” said Strathman. roster are ShyAnn Robison and Alexis Langton. Second-year coach Trica Prescott has a roster heavy on with juniors and sophomores, BenDgtson Agent which bodes well for the 128 N .M a in ,L in d sb org future. 785 -227-2009

he Fightin’ Frogs hope to better their 2013-14 record of 11-12 and a sub-state championship title. That game, a 70-69 squeaker in double overtime to Larned, sent Pratt to State, where they were defeated in the first round by Scott City, 71-52. Which brings the Fightin’ Frogs to Coach David Swank’s simple philosophy, “Be the best we can be — every play, every practice, every game.” Pratt lost five seniors this past spring to graduation, including starter Christian Kurz. However, Samson Kohman had a solid year as a freshman, dropping in 21 points in the nail-biter with Larned. Girls The good news for second year coach Emmanuel Adigun is that his team returns three starters and five players with varsity experience. These players played a major role in Pratt’s 16-7 record during the 2013-14 season, which ended with a sub-state title and a first-round loss to Santa Fe Trail, the eventual state champions, by 12 when they led for most of the game. Pratt lost two valuable seniors, Jenson Maydew and Amy Olsen, last year and hope that the incoming seniors step into leadership roles. Adigun is extremely excited about his teams’ talent level and quickness. His team will be aggressive, yet disciplined defensively. They will get up and down the floor and try to put pressure on opposing teams both offensively and defensively. The one concern coach Adigun has is how short (as in height) his team is. They will try to make up for that deficiency by being physical and in great shape.

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s Doug Schneider starts his fourth season as the Vikings’ head coach, he hopes to improve on 2013-14, when the Smoky Valley boys went 1-20, losing to Concordia in the opening round of 4A Division 11 Substate. “We lost three seniors last year who played a lot of minutes but we have a number of younger players who are really ready to play at the varsity level,” Schneider said. “Last season we struggled to score points. We are going to need to play within our system and score points when the opportunity presents itself. We will also need to play great defensively. We really made some solid summer improvements in this area and are looking to some solid success here. Either way we have to play with a lot of intensity every possession of every game.” Returning starters are: senior forwards Cole Norberg, 6’4”, and Greg Elvin, 6’0”. Returning letter winners will be: guards Andrew McClure, 5’11” senior; and Trapper Bellah, 5’10” junior; and guard/forward Trey Schneider, 6’2” junior. Girls Head coach Bill Nelson expects the 2014-15 season to be a time of improvement. The Lady Vikings, who finished this past season with a 4-17 record, return two starters, juniors Kelsie Anderson, 5’9” guard; and Hannah Hattabaugh, 5’10” forward. Eight letter winners also will return. “With two starters and eight letter winners returning, the Vikings are looking to improve their record and be more competitive in the always tough Central Kansas League,” Nelson said. “Although still young, the Vikings return an athletic team that should be able to run and compete athletically,” Nelson said.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 19

Class 3A

Sterling’s Kylah Comely It’s all about hard work and doing your best

Story by Mark McCoy — Photo by Mike Courson

lthough 5’ 5” junior point guard Kylah Comely is — without doubt — the spark plug of the powerful Sterling Lady Black Bears basketball team, her outlook on the game is team-oriented. “The thing about Kylah that makes her special is that she is a team-oriented kid,” said head coach Jill Rowland. “She is really willing to involve other players. She’s more worried about winning than records, stats or how many points she scores in a game. “As far as a leader, those things are really good. As far as developing our program, her character is a big part of that.” Comely hit the varsity basketball court in the 2012-13 season as a freshman and soon the opposing coaches and the press core were buzzing about the quick, fasthanded Comely, who played like a seasoned upperclassman. “She’s been our starting point guard since she’s been a freshman,” Rowland said. “She’s probably the best ball-handler we’ve seen around here in a while. She has good hands, control and can take it to the hole.” The Lady Black Bears are known to be perennial contenders for the State tournament in Central Kansas, and to make the team as a freshman was unusual, to Kylah Comely moves the ball down court against Lyons in the 2014 Sterling basketball tournament.

say the least. Comely made the Central Kansas League’s first team her freshman and sophomore years as a unanimous selection both years; winning the Barton Community College Hilltop Classic freethrow championship in 2013 and was named to the all-tournament team and was named to the first team of an allState team. Comely led the Lady Black Bears in scoring with 337 points as a sophomore, making 113 of 266 2-point field goals for a 43 percent average. She made 22 of 80 3-balls attempts and 89 of 113 charity shots for a 79 percent average from the stripe. Comely is one of the quickest point guards in Central Kansas and sees the floor well. The Lady Black Bears are known for their fast-paced game and use of the press and Kylah is a big part of that game plan. She led the team in steals with 35 in the 2013-14 season and had 58 assists. “I’m not really sure about my philosophy of basketball,” Comely said. “I just try to work hard, 100 percent of the time. I keep telling myself to work hard.

Sometimes in a game, I find myself thinking too much, so I try to just play. “I’ve been coached very well. I know the steps, but sometimes I just need to go out there and play.” Comely didn’t have to look far to find her basketball inspiration. Her father, Chad Comely, played for Sterling College and is an assistant coach for the Lady Black Bears. “I don’t think that I would be the player that I am today without him,” she said. “He’s a bit tough on me, but I know he wants me to be the best that I can be.” Although Comely hasn’t yet decided on a college, she is entertaining several offers from schools that are known for the quality of their womens’ teams. She wants sports to be a part of her career after basketball. “I’m kind of looking into sports psychology,” Comely said. “Coaching is also part of that, but that is what interests me. “I just feel lucky to part of a team with so many good girls on it. We are all pretty close. My coaches are amazing. My dad is a coach, too, and sometimes that is hard, but my head coach is a good Christian woman and she really helps us, just not in basketball, but in life as we grow as young women.”

Page 20

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Can the Hesston girls repeat?

By RANDY GONZALES For Kansas Hardwood

he Hesston girls, coming off their first state title, will have three returning starters and another experienced upperclassman as they look to repeat in Class 3A. “It’s obviously a high expectation with that much experience and scoring coming back,” Swather coach Matt Richardson said of the upcoming season. Hesston (25-1) will count on the Richardson sisters, 6’0” Caylee, a senior, and 5’10” junior Cami. Both siblings were first team all-state selections in 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Caylee Richardson averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds, while Cami — a forward last year who will move to point guard — averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds. The Swathers also have back as a starter Kelsey Unruh, a 6’1” senior center, who averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds. Another player with experi-

ence is 5’9” senior Jessanna Nebel. “Filling the roles, all those intangibles, is going to be our major job this year,” Richardson said. “It kind of changes what Caylee and Cami do. Depending on our starting lineup, I don’t know how it’s going to end up.” Hesston will look to play at a fast tempo, but Richardson knows some teams might try to slow it down. “We do like to play uptempo, we do like to get out and run,” Richardson said. “Probably the area of most growth is our ability to then pull it out if somebody is going to slow the game down on us. We’ve done a really nice job, adjusting to half-court offense.” The Swathers also play in-your-face defense. “We are a man-to-man first team,” Richardson said. “We really throw a lot of matchup issues at teams because we are long and athletic. A lot of our girls can play multiple positions.” In a season of high expectations, the Swathers don’t allow themselves to look ahead.

“We don’t overlook any one team,” Richardson said. “We prepare the same way for each team we play. We just try to keep the kids focused on that particular game.” *** Lyons (17-9), Hesston’s league rival, fell to the Swathers in the state title game after making it there as the No. 8 seed. The Lions have four starters back, led by senior guard Brenna McClure, a first team all-state selection. Council Grove (20-6), which finished fourth at state last year, returns 6’2” senior center Megan Poole, who led the Braves with 11.8 points and 7 rebounds per game. Also back is sophomore guard Faith Brintle, who averaged 10.4 points and 3.4 assists. Cimarron (21-3), which was upset in its state opener last season, returns first team all-state pick Morgan Ediger, a 5’9” senior guard who averaged 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Sabetha has back 5’7” junior point guard Alexis McAfee, a second team allstate selection last year.

They’re back. Scott City returns to 3A By RANDY GONZALES For Kansas Hardwood

he Scott Community High School boys’ basketball program won three straight Class 3A state titles before moving up to Class 4A Division II last season. The Beavers made the state title game game, only this time they settled for state runner-up. Scott City is back in 3A again this season, as the Beavers look for another trip to the season finale. “I think both divisions have quality basketball programs … 3A is loaded with an undefeated state champion in Hesston, and numerous other teams — WichitaCollegiate to name one,” said Scott City coach Glenn O’Neil, who has won four state titles overall. “It’s going to be tough. “The classification doesn’t really matter. I think what you put on the floor for that season is the main ingredient.” Scott City (21-4) will put on the floor three returning starters. Senior Trey O’Neil — the coach’s son — is a 6’3”

point guard who has verbally committed to Fort Hays State University. He averaged 21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season while making second team all-state by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Another guard in the Beavers’ three-guard lineup is 6’3” senior Brett Meyer, who averaged 14.4 points per game last year. Also returning is 6’2” senior forward Sloan Baker, who averaged 8 points and 6.7 rebounds. O’Neil said his son giving a verbal commit before the season could be beneficial. “It started to get overwhelming, with the number of calls, people that wanted to visit him,” coach O’Neil said. “He was very comfortable with (FHSU) coach (Mark) Johnson and his staff. We’ve had lots of kids that played at Fort Hays before. They’ve all enjoyed the experience. “It’s something I think is a relief for him.” While the Beavers have four guards with varsity experience, they’re a little thin up front. “We’ve got to develop a little more depth

at the post position,” O’Neil said. “We’re not going to be very big.” O’Neil said expectations always are high. “I think (the players) know the community and the coaches and the administrators expect them to go out and compete every night.” In his 19 years as coach, O’Neil’s teams have made state almost a dozen times and made it to the sub-state title game a couple others. “I think our guys have set their standards pretty high also,” O’Neil said. “They expect to be competitive.” *** A possible roadblock in the Beavers’ quest for another state title is defending 3A champ Hesston, which went undefeated last year. The Swathers are led by senior Grant Raleigh, a first team all-state selection. Beloit (24-2), which lost to Hesston in the state title game, returns an honorable mention all-state pick in junior guard Bailey Vetter, who averaged 13.5 points per game.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 21

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xpectations are high this year as Dallas Cox, in his 13th year as head coach of the Lady Trojans, returns five starters from this past season’s 12-9 team that ended its run in the first round of sub-state to Lyons. “If we can keep everyone healthy and play at a high level we should have quite a bit of success,” Cox said. Returning are: seniors Kaley Broeckelman, 5’10” guard, Britt Widrig, 5’9” post; and Alison Palen, 5’7” guard; Shaylyn Krone 5’8” post; and Remi Behrends 5’8” guard. Cox said the keys to success this season will be “to play at a high level, take care of the ball, play good defense and

rebound.” Boys Ryan Eilert has built the Trojans into a perennial contender in his six years as head coach, accumulating a 109-33 record, and a second place finish in State last year, losing to Hesston in the state championship. “We lost some key seniors off of a 24-2 team, but return a good core group of players from that squad,” said Eilert. “For us to have success this year, we have to play fast and develop some depth in the post. We return a lot of key components from last year’s run, and should help us develop as the year goes along.”

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he Bearcats hope to improve on their past 7-14 season. They lost quality players to graduation in Matt Keener, Grant Glaser and Cody Soukup. But the big loss was head coach Kevin Haxton, who resigned after the end of the season to care for his family. Trevor Kuhlman is the new coach, his first top job after being an assistant at Salina’s Wesleyan University. Returning players include: 6’5” Nathan Trapp, 5’10” 3-ball shooter Morgan Barkow, 6’1” Lucas Barta and the talented 6’0”Takota Anderson. The ‘Cats have a lot of quality underclassmen, too. Girls The Lady ‘Cats, who were once considered on the bottom rungs of the tough North Central Activities Association basketball ladder, have become in the past five seasons, a team

that retools for success and competes at the top of the league. Ellsworth rolled to a good 14-8 record under veteran coach Ken Cravens, losing to league rival Minneapolis in the second game of substate. The Lady ‘Cats re-tool with the assistance of senior Connor Davis, a 5’ 7” ball-handler who can find the bucket from beneath the glass; senior Shannon Keith, at 5’ 6”, also returns and is a good rebounder in her own right; and junior Jessica Lake, at 5’6”, who stepped up at the end of last season and made a lot of nice plays for the Lady ‘Cats when they needed it most.

At a tall 5’ 9”, sophomore Amy Westerman has the quick hands and feet that should make a difference this season beneath the rim. Sophomore Cheyenne Hellebust, at 5’6”, is another talented Lady ‘Cat who should see a lot of floor time.

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Brothers

Continued from Page 7

make the extra pass and you will have a chance to be pretty good,” Kurt said. “The biggest thing I think is being unselfish. Unselfish means to do what your role is to help the team.” Kurt noted that he had one basketball player in the championship 2011 team that made the all-league team and averaged less than a point a game. “Number one, I want to see our kids be successful as students. We put a great emphasis on what they are doing in the

208 W Lincoln • Lincoln, KS 67455 785-524-5244 801 E. 3rd Suite A • Ellsworth, KS 67439 785-472-3272 classroom. And if they are NOT getting it done — we’ll find ways to get it done. I also want them to be decent people. We don’t put up with anything that is not going to represent us, our community or parents very well. We’ve had very few instances where I’ve looked and said ‘we didn’t do that the right way’,” Clint said. “Playing the right way” is a catch phrase the Kinnamon brothers use to mean that a player believes the team is greater than the individual player. Both brothers want their players to play to the best of their ability, no matter the talent. A big part of that “right way” is mental toughness. The brothers were reading an excellent article on “Toughness” to the

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players at the basketball camp the first year Bill Self was head coach at KU. Self stopped to listen and then added his thoughts on the piece by ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas. “We strongly encourage all of our players to look at that article,” Clint said. “You can develop mental toughness in kids. You can develop athleticism to a certain extent and bring up their skill set tremendously. Mental toughness is something that—if they aren’t a mentally tough team, with mentally tough individuals, you aren’t going to win.” And to the Kinnamon brothers, having their players win on the court is second only to seeing them win in life.

Page 22

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Council Grove Braves

he Lady Braves lost a key player, guard Kate Hula, to graduation. She averaged 10.3 points per game and 7.1 rebounds. But still on the roster is Megan Poole, a 6’2” center/forward who averaged 11.8 points a game during the 2013-14 season and seven rebounds. Council Grove also returns senior Paige Bomberger, 5’8” forward/center, from a team that posted an overall record of 20-6, taking fourth in State following a 43-34 loss to Nemaha Central, and a league title with a 9-0 record. Faith Brintle is a sophomore returning starter who is possibly a Division I player down the road. Jason Shelangouski is head coach.

Garden Plains Owls

trio of starters are back to lead Garden Plain, which won 16 games a year ago. Senior Noelle Dooley and juniors Madison Schmelzer and Daylynn Doyle all averaged at least six points and two rebounds a game while senior Samantha Hendryx and junior Mackenzie Thimesch also return with varsity experience. “Noelle is a very athletic and versatile player and can play any position on the floor,” coach Kody Kasselman said. “We have several girls that could fight for varsity playing time this season and are excited to see what shakes out in the early part of the season.” Kasselman also said that developing depth and playing consistently will be key for the Owls this season.

Boys Garden Plain’s boys will have a Boys new coach this year as Lee Gillen The Braves came close to a takes over a squad that went 10-12 perfect season in 2013-14. Bruce Hula’s team went 21-1, a year ago and returns five letterits only loss to Osage City in the men. Seniors Dalton Doyle, Jordan playoffs, 50-44. Council Grove Joplin and Troy Puetz are joined posted a 7-0 record in the Flint by junior Alex Becker and sophoHills Basketball League and a more Nate Pauly as the most tournament championship for the experienced Owls. fourth time in recent years, all “The key is going to be how under Hula. quick they buy into our new sysLost to graduation were eight tem,” Gillen said. “A lot of things seniors, including Layton Leydig, we do are going to be a little difwho was first in Class 3A in ferent. We could be pretty rough assists per game with 6.2, and around the edges until Christmas.” Aaron Bachura, who averaged Gillen, who has 37 years of coaching experience, said his team 22.2 ppg. lacks size with Becker the only The Braves have a roster of returner taller than six feet. younger talent and four seniors, “I think we have kids that work Treyton Taylor, Alex Wooden, hard. It’s going to be a transition Brant Mahanay and Lane period from one coach’s philosoFleming. The JV program was phy to another coach’s philosophy,” 16-3 last season and the he said. “I’m excited about it.” Freshmen posted a 19-1 mark

and “we look to build around this young talent,” Hula said.

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Goodland Cowboys

he Cowgirls continued to improve this past season and — even with nine seniors on the roster for the 2013-14 season — Goodland still has a full bench of younger players. Under coach Andy Schoepner, who has coached basketball for more than a decade in northwest Kansas, the Cowgirls finished the 2013-14 season with a record of 13-9 overall and 4-6 in the Great Western league. That was an improvement over 3-15 and 1-7 the year before. The Cowgirls have come a long way. They posted a win-loss record of 0-21 the year before. Boys

Goodland couldn’t seem to get over the hump last year, hovering just under .500 and finishing 9-13. Head Coach Donald Raymer hopes his team can break through this season and push through the .500 threshold, but doing so may be difficult. “Expectations are to get over the hump of being around .500 for the whole season,” Raymer said. “With losing seven seniors and 90 percent of the scoring from last year, we will need to develop younger players. We will not be very big, but we will be tough, scrappy, and physical. We plan to compete for a GWAC League Championship.”

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Hesston Swathers

ead coach Greg Raleigh’s not one to let down after what many would consider a perfect season. Raleigh’s Swathers ended 201314 with a 26-0 record — and the state 3A basketball title. Three starters from that championship team will return: senior guards Grant Raleigh, 6’2”; and Tyler McCartney, 6’1”; and senior forward Justin Smith, 6’1”. “We have only two spots lost to graduation, but they are big shoes to fill,” coach Raleigh said. “I think we will have several people competing to fill those sports. If we can, we should be competitive again. “No let downs! Can’t rest on success! We need a few kids to really decide to step up.” If Hesston’s past is any indication, Swather fans should be in for another exciting season. Two years ago, the team finished the season with a 20-3 record, losing to Abilene in the sub-state finals. Girls Matt Richardson, in his 10th season as head coach of the Lady Swathers, describes the 2013-14 season as “solid.” Was it ever. Hesston went 25-1, had a perfect league record and a State championship. Returning from that team are: Caylee Richardson, Kelsey Unruh and Cami Richardson. “We were led by seniors, whose main focus and intent was on defense,” Coach Richardson said. “With our seniors on defense, it allowed our very talented underclassmen to step up on the scoring end. Defense and rebounding were vital to our success.”

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

903 East D St. Hillsboro 620-947-5550

Hillsboro Trojans

lex Ratzlaff, the Lady Trojans 5’10” guard, is only a junior, but she has her work cut out for her as she steps in to replace guards Addie Lackey and Danae Bina, who were lost to graduation. Nathan Hiebert, in his eighth year as head coach, also expects others to step up, including senior Darcy Heinrichs, 5’9” forward, and senior guards Tara Proffitt, 5’5”; and Allison Weber, 5’1”. The 2013-14 team ended its season 18-6, losing in the first round of 2A State. “We will be young with experience, but we are excited to continue the high level of intensity and standards our program has,” Hiebert said. “Many girls will need to grow and step up in roles to help our team. “Our keys to success will be to limit turnovers and finish possession with rebounds. Several girls will need to step up in their scoring role to contribute to the team.”

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Hoisington Cardinals

oung would be an appropriate adjective to describe Kyle Haxton’s 2014-15 Cardinals. Hoisington went 7-14 this past season, including 2-4 in the shrinking Mid-Central Basketball League. Returning as seniors this year are: 5’9” guard Brad Reif and 6’2” forward Seth Owen, who averaged 7.1 points a game and 3.7 rebounds. Another player who Haxton will count on for points is Steffan Dolechek, 6’1” junior, who averaged 10.2 points a game and 4 rebounds his sophomore year.

Girls The Lady Cardinals also are light on seniors after losing three players this past spring to graduation. Abbi Demel, 5’7” guard, is the only returning senior. She averBoys The Trojans lost eight seniors to aged 3.9 points per game and 3.2 graduation this past season; howev- rebounds her junior year. er, they have seven others ready to Also on the floor for take their place as members of the Hoisington will be Rylie Koester, 2014-15 senior class. 5’7” guard, who averaged 10 And one junior, Austin Cross, points per game and 4.6 rebounds 6’5” center, who also is a standout her freshman year. Her average baseball pitcher. Cross and teamimproved to 13.4 points her mate Micah Allen, a senior, were sophomore season. named to the Coaches All-State The Lady Cardinals, who finBaseball second team in May. Allen ished the 2013-14 season with an was Honorable Mention on the Central Kansas League All League 11-10 record, won’t have time to Basketball Team as well. ease into their season. Hoisington Other seniors on the basketball plays Central Plains, the reigning roster are: Jacob Hanschu, Grant Class 2A State champions, in Knoll, David Dick, Josh Funk, their first outing Dec. 5. Philip Ediger and Graham Mandy Mason is Hoisington’s Pankratz. veteran coach. Veteran coach Darrel Knoll took his team to a 20-4 season in 201314. Hillsboro went 8-2 in the Central Kansas Basketball League, placing second behind eventual Class 3A State champions Hesston. The Trojans ended their season at State with a 59-42 loss to Olpe.

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Lyons Lions

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Page 23

Lyons 620-257-5644 Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery (5pm to close)

he Lady Lions have their eyes on a return to State, following a season that finished with an overall record of 17-9, a sub-state title and second at State. Leanne Hollinger, who is in her fifth year as head coach, returns four starters: seniors Brenna McClure, 5’6” point guard; Rachel Minix, 5’7” guard; Alexis Lasater, 6’2” post; and Lauren Barker, 5’8” forward. “We want to come back stronger and better this year. We want to get back to the State tournament,” Hollinger said. “We need someone to step into that 5th starting spot and then have girls ready to go from the bench. Every person on our team will be a key player because teams will be ready for us. We cannot just expect to go back to state; we have to want it and then work hard to go out and get it done.”

Marion Warriors

he Lady Warriors are in search of a leader after four seniors were lost this past spring to graduation. The lone returning senior is Julia Hall, a 5’11” forward/center. The team’s most experienced returning player, Kirsten Hansen, a 5’4” junior guard, started 20 games this past season before injuring her knee. This is Kelly Robson’s third season as head coach. “Our junior class seems to be pretty talented and several saw varsity action last year,” Robson said. “We could possibly get some contributions from a sophomore and freshman, as well.”

Boys Head coach Jeff McMillen has one senior from the 2013-14 team that ended its Boys season with a 13-9 record, The Lions continue to rebuild including 7-3 in the always following a dismal season two competitive Heart of America years ago. The 2013-14 season League behind Berean was better, as Lyons went 9-11, Academy, Moundridge and with a heartbreaking ending to Trinity. the year during playoffs, when the The Warriors open their Lions lost to Beloit, 72-71. season Dec. 5 against Lost to graduation were the Southeast of Saline High team’s big guys. Seniors on the School at Gypsum. roster who will have to step up Marion lost five seniors to this year include: Austin graduation, leaving the Burroughs, Dakota Nave, Eddie Warriors to rely on two Landeros, Grady Kirkhart and seniors, Bret Voth and Jacob Rascon Bryan. Baldwin. Brian Friess is in his eighth year at head coach at Lyons.

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Page 24

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Marysville Bulldogs

arysville has a new coach in Scott Brown, who has six years of coaching experience prior to taking over the Bulldogs. “We expect our guys to work hard on a daily basis,” Brown said. “We expect them to be model students and citizens. We are looking forward to building something special here in Marysville. “We’ll measure our success from where we are at the end of the season compared to where we were at the beginning of the season. Focusing daily on improving as players, students and — most importantly as people — will get us there.” Girls

Junior Ally Kort, 5’9” post/forward, is the only starter to return this season for the Lady Bulldogs. Head coach Amy Renyer still expects her team to compete. “We will be inexperienced players, but will play hard,” she said. Renyer is in her third season at Marysville. She returned after 10 years coaching at Ursuline Academy in Dallas, Texas, before returning to Kansas to be closer to family. Her goal for her team during the 2013-14 season was to better its 11-11 record the year before. Goal accomplished. The Lady Bulldogs finished this past season with an overall record of 17-6 and a second place finish at sub-state.

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Minneapolis Lions

inneapolis was one win away from a spot in State last year, losing in it’s sub-state championship game. The Lady Lions come into this season losing five seniors from last year’s team, but two starters remain on their roster. Kynedi Allison and Lindsay Shupe return for Minneapolis, and head coach Bryan Weatherman hopes to build some depth around them. “We lost five seniors who were very valuable to our program. We do return some kids who played a lot and gained valuable experience at the varsity level. Our league will be very competitive again, but we hope to put ourselves in a position to compete for a league title and make a run in the post season.” Boys The Lions have a new head coach. Alex Hutchins replaces Erik Shupe, who has been with Minneapolis for eight seasons. The boys went 15-7 during the 2013-14 season. Lost this past spring to graduation were forwards 6’1” Brandon Davis and 6’2” Alex Yoxall. This season’s returning starters are: seniors Josh Macy, 6’1” guard; Gage Mortimer, 6’0” guard/forward; and John Kelly, 6’3” forward. “My expectations are effort and commitment to improve every day as students, teammates and representatives of the community,” Hutchins said. “Keys to a successful season will lie in leadership from our upperclassmen [and] a desire to compete every day.”

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Norton Blue Jays

he Lady Blue Jays could field a starting five this season with three underclassmen in the lineup. “We must find toughness and learn to compete,” said George Rossi, who spent 22 years as an assistant coach before taking on head coaching duties three years ago. “We are going to be pretty young — could be starting three sophomores.” The only returning starter is Katie Bohl, 5’11” senior. Rossi said the Norton girls must work on defense and limit their turnovers in order to be successful and improve on the Lady Blue Jays’ 2013-14 record of 8-13. Boys Norton boys’ basketball coach Doug Reusink will have for a full season a transfer who joined the Bluejays late in the 2013-14 campaign. Deon Lyle, a 6’3” senior guard, played three games last season, averaging 9 points. Reusink’s point guard was hurt late in the year, but sophomore Tyus Henson is healthy now. However, another projected starter, junior guard Quinton Porter, was injured during football and is out for the season. He averaged 9 points per game. “I expect us to be a lot better,” than last year’s 8-13 season, Reusink said. Inside, the Bluejays have back 6-5 senior center Conor Cox, who averaged 4 points a game.

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Phillipsburg Panthers

eteran Panthers head coach Keith Sides has dealt with loss the past two years. He lost four starters to graduation for the 2012-13 season and all of his starters moved on this past spring. That leaves Sides, a 19-year basketball coach who is in his 13th year at Phillipsburg, with Sam Sage, a 6’1” senior who was the team’s leading scorer and sixth man during the 2013-14 season. Sage will be joined by fellow senior Ian Chestnut, 6’3” post. The Panthers finished this past season with a 10-11 record, losing to Lyons in the first round of substate. Sides hopes this year’s team will end its run with at least a .500 record. “With no returning starters back, I expect our seniors to rise to the challenge of playing well,” Sides said. “Sam Sage ... will have to score the ball for us and Ian Chestnut will need to average a double-double for us inside.” Girls The Lady Panthers lost in the semi-finals of sub-state last year with a 16-6 record. In the 20142015 season Phillipsburg will have to overcome losing three starters, and considerable height from last year’s roster. “This season will be challenging,” said head coach Rachel Miller, “as we will face a height disadvantage most games. We will compete each game, and hope to have chance of winning at the end. We must rebound well at both ends of the floor. Our defensive pressure needs to be high to force turnovers, and opportunities to score.”

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 25 Joel Benson, CPA Mary Benson, CPA

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Riley County Rock Creek Falcons Mustangs

he Lady Falcons have a proud ead coach Jim Johnson history with basketball, has these words posted claiming five Class 3A state on the Mustang web championships between 1998 and page: Hard work. Unselfishness. 2008. Class. This past season, Riley County finReaching for those goals has ished the year with a record of 19-1 worked. Rock Creek finished the overall and 9-0, giving it a first-place 2013-14 season with an overall finish in the Mid-East League. record of 20-3 and a first place in Head coach Harold Oliver lost six seniors this year, leaving younger playersthe Mid-East League with a persuch as juniors Allie Martin, 5’8” for- fect record of eight wins. ward, and Abigail Wahl, center, to carry This season, the Mustangs lose Coach Harold Oliver’s Lady Falcons only two players to graduation, leaving eight players to make up forward. the senior class: Dillon Glassford, Nate Berard, Jackson Goodmiller, Boys The Falcons return two players with Alex Feldkamp and Keldon Fox, impressive stats to this season’s team. according to last year’s roster. Senior Trace Nelson, 5’9” point guard, was second in the Mid-East Girls League in scoring with an average of Mike Zabel’s Lady Mustangs 12.3 points per game. He will be joined return a team that ended the 2013-14 on the court by classmate Brice season with an overall record of 5-15. Brummett, 6’3” center, who averaged Returners include: Alexis Wilson, 10.4 points a game during the 2013-14 5’7” forward; and guards Kayla Boltz, season and 5.4 rebounds. 5’2”, and Sarah Altenhofen, 5’10”. Riley County finished the season with a 6-16 record, losing in the second round of sub-state, 40-46 to Silver Lake.

Russell Broncos

his is the second season for a new offensive and defensive system for the Russell boys’ basketball team under secondyear coach Eric Swanson. “We had a great summer in the weight room and the gym and were able to get more of the system in place,” said Swanson, whose Broncos went 2-19 last season. “This should lead to less teaching of the system and more focus on learning to play basketball. “We will have less size this year, but more speed and quickness which will make us look much different than last year, while still using the same system.” Russell has three returning starters in 6’1” junior Reshean Holloway (7 points and 5 rebounds), 5’10” senior Jordan Swanson and 5’8” senior Kiefer Craig. Also returning are 5’7” sophomore Colton Fritschen; 5’8” senior Jerrit Zvolanek; 6’3” sophomore Travis Ochs; 6’4” junior Mason Beagley; and 5’10” junior Zach Boxberger. Girls The Lady Broncos finished the 2013-14 season with an 12-10 record under Coach Frank Schulte.

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Sacred Heart Knights

ut of four measures important to the success of a basketball team, junior guard Carla Donley placed first in three — 18.5 points per game, seven rebounds and 2.6 assists. In the fourth category — steals — she placed second in league with an average of 2.4 per game. That was in the 2013-14 season. Now Donley has turned her talents eastward. She will play for the Abilene Cowgirls this year, leaving a relatively big hole in the Sacred Heart game plan. Mark Ramsey is in his fourth season as head coach. Players to count on this season include: senior Maggie Doll, 5’7” senior center; Sara Vandervoort, 5’2” junior guard; MaKenzie Kack, 5’7” junior forward/center; Karli Alvarez, 5’4” junior guard; and Jacey Goetz, 5’3” junior guard. The Lady Knights, who finished the 2013-14 season with a record of 7-14, were heavy on sophomores; however, the younger players were called on to contribute so they bring experience to this year’s team. “We don’t have many big kids, and the ones we do have aren’t very tall,” Ramsey said. “They’ll make up for that with guts and determination on the inside.” Boys Coach Pat Martin has the same goal every year for his Knights — play their best basketball toward the end of the season. That has been a winning philosophy for Martin, who is starting his eighth season. During Martin’s time, the Knights have made five state tournament appearances. The Knights went 15-8 overall in the 2013-14 season and this could be a rebounding year, given the departure of five seniors. Sacred Heart’s sole returning starter is Brooks Brown, 6’1” senior guard. Other top players are: Chris Sandquist, 5’11” senior guard; and Lucas Comfort, 6’0” junior guard.

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Scott City Beavers

lenn O’Neil expects his eager Beavers to pick up where they left off last year after finishing second in 4A, DII state, losing to a talented Eudora team. Scott City returns three starters —seniors Trey O’Neil, Brett Meyer, and Sloan Baker will anchor Scott City in 2014-15. O’Neil and Meyer were both members of the GWAC All-Conference First Team, as well as O’Neil being named to the 4A All-State First Team, and Meyer receiving an honorable mention. Waiting in the wings will be an entire cast of Beavers waiting to step into starting roles and making a solid impact, contributing to a deep bench. “We expect to be very competitive again. We have 9 out of our 12 top players coming

back, and should be a little deeper than we were last year,” O’Neil said. “The biggest key for us is to find another forward that can rebound the ball and provide us with an inside defender.” Girls The Lady Beavers continue down the road of improvement as they finished the 2013-14 season with a 3-18 overall record and 1-9 in league action. Younger players will have to step up as Scott City lost four seniors to graduation this past spring, including the team’s top scorer Bailey Nickel, who averaged 13.6 points a game. Samantha Garcia is the only returning senior. Scott City is coached by Shelby Crawford, who is in his second year.

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Southeast of Saline Gypsum Trojans

he Trojans return their top scorer, 6’4” Easton Montgomery, a junior forward/center, who averaged 13 points a game his sophomore year and 6 rebounds. He will be joined on the court by senior guard Kayden Besher, who averaged 4.3 points per game and 4 rebounds; and seniors Aidan Murray, 6’3” forward/center, Kyler Sager, 5’9” guard, Zach Montgomery and Cody Schlesener. Jeff Wells starts his first year as head coach. The Trojans finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 15-7 and a league post of 6-5. Southeast ended its

season in the second round of sub-state, when it lost to the Sacred Heart Knights, 54-41.

Girls The biggest challenge this season for the Lady Trojans will be to develop depth. The team, with an overall record in 2013-14 of 14-8, returns three players, all juniors: Erica Montgomery, 5’10” forward; Allison Stutterheim, 5’5” guard; and Delani White, 5’4” guard. “My expectations are that we play the game hard and compete each time we step on the floor,” said Wayne Sager, who is in his 21st season as a head coach.

Stanton County Trojans

revor Siebert, who is in his second year as head coach of the Lady Trojans, is awash in experience. Stanton County returns four players from 2013-14, when Siebert’s team ended the season 7-14 with a loss in the first round of substate. They are: seniors Jenna Black, guard; Haley Floyd, guard, and Jocelyn Ochoa, forward/guard; and Cassie Overturf, junior forward. “I have high expectations for this team since we will be returning a lot of experience,” Siebert said. “I expect for us to be competitive every night. “To be successful we have to be tough defensively and try to play at an up-tempo pace.”

Boys After two years at Golden Plains, Mike Doll is in his first season as head coach of the Trojans. He looks for it to be a good year. “We fully expect to be a much improved team over last season,” Doll said. “We will strive to control the game at the defensive end, which will hopefully lead to some easy baskets. We are hoping to be a very competitive team come time for State.” Returning starters are: Cole Smith, 6’3” senior who averaged 15 points per game and 9 rebounds; Kiefer Puyear, 6’5” junior, who averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds; and Boone Stiemel, 5’9” junior.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Sterling Black Bears

he Black Bears continue to rebuild following their 2011-12 season, in which they celebrated a Class 2A state championship. Following their victory, the Black Bears were hit hard by graduations at virtually every spot on the floor, reducing the number of returning starters to one in the 2013-14 season. Sterling ended the basketball year with a 4-16 record and a lastplace finish in the Central Kansas League. At the top end was powerhouse Hesston, which carried home a state championship. Size is the good news for Sterling. Returning this year are senior letter winners Jordan Proffitt, 6’6”; and Andrew McPherson, 6’4”. They will be joined by a third senior, Chase Buckman. Derek Schneider is in his sixth

season as head coach. Girls Jill Rowland has her eyes set on a league title and a return to state in her sixth year as head coach at Sterling, as she returns 4 starters from her 2013-14 roster that went 19-3 a year ago, but lost in the second round of sub-state. “We have high expectations. We want to win our league, and we want to return to state. We continually believe if we play our best we can win state.” Of the 4 returning starters, 2 are sophomores and 2 are juniors, so it’s a safe assumption that Sterling will be in serious contention for their Central Kansas League title, as well as a spot in the state tournament for years to come.

Girls

Page 27

Continued from Page 10

potential for three of the league schools to advance to 4A state tourneys is there. Clay Center and Concordia were sent to different sites in volleyball, which would prevent another winner-take-all showdown in basketball if the same thing occurs. Regardless, Wahlmeier knows the entire road will be a difficult one. “It’s going to be a tough league and we’re hoping the competition makes us better and we come out stronger in the end,” he said. “For us, it’s one of those things where we’ve set the bar and we want to keep raising it higher and higher.” McPherson and Mulvane each were 4A Division I state qualifiers last year, but both fell in the first round and have some big holes to fill. Andover Central also was a 4A Division I qualifier, taking third, but moves up to 5A this season. Maize finished runner-up in 6A last year, losing 47-35 to Wichita South in the title game to end a 20-5 season. The Eagles only lost one senior off that squad and have one of the state’s top players in Keiryn Swenson (6’2” forward), who averaged 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on her way to first-team All-Class 6A honors. She’s hardly a one-woman show as senior guard Daley Handy (6’0”) added 9.5 points and 3.1 assists per game and sophomore Brianna Johnson (5’5”) chipped in 8.5 points per game. South, however, will be hard to dethrone. The Titans have won two straight state crowns and have a monster 1-2 punch in junior center Kendrian Elliott (6’3”) and junior guard Ericka Mattingly (5’6”).

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Page 28

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Class 2A

Central Plains’ Phelan Basketball is a family thing Story and Photo by Mark McCoy

In the 2A State championship game News and made the prestigious 2014 eagan Phelan, the 5’6” point against Jefferson County North, the then Kansas Basketball Coaches Association guard of the defending 2A sophomore Phelan engaged in a basket2A first team. State champion Central Plains Phelan is arguably the best female bas- ball-handling duel against senior Lady Lady Oilers, is surrounded by a lot of Charger Jaycee Kramer — who was ketball-handler in 2A. talent on the basketball court. known as an outstanding basTaylor Rolfs, a 5’10” junior, is ketball-handler in her own also a superior player, who can right — in the final two minhandle the ball, make the inside utes of the game and made it shot, jump shot or 3-ball with look deceptively easy, keeping uncanny ease. Teammate Janae the ball out of Kramer’s Ryan, a 5’7” sophomore might hands and burning precious be the deadliest 3-ball shooter time so that Rolfs could take in 2A girls’ basketball and 5’9” the winning shot with about a sophomore Cassidy Crites is a second on the clock. defensive terror that can also Phelan is also a scoring sink points into the bucket. machine on the hardwood, Sophomore Kylee Kasselman, at racking up a season total of 5’8”, broke into the Lady O line448 points; a 2-point field up during the championship 2A goal average of 51 percent; a game, (replacing the team’s only 36 percent 3-ball shooting starting senior, Breanna percentage and averaged 4.6 Holmes, when Holmes blew out assists a game in the 2013-14 a knee) and proved that she can season. She made 70 of 104 rebound and defend with the charity shots for 67 percent best talent on the court. Junior from the stripe. Phelan scored Kendi Maxwell is also a quality 26 points in the second quarplayer on both sides of the ball ter against eighth-ranked 1A and senior tennis star Breanna Victoria in the Jan. 17 matchSchartz would be an addition to up, ending the game with 32 any team. points. But the soul of the Lady Phelan’s prowess doesn’t Oilers is Phelan, a junior, who end on the offensive side of plays with the intensity, quickthe ball. Her hands and feet ness and skill that has attracted are lightning quick, combining the attention of sports fans, to rack up 132 steals and sports writers and coaches countless deflections last seaacross the state. son. She has been named to the While most high school Amos/Morris and Hilltop athletes draw their inspiration Hoops Classic all-tournament from college or professional teams for both of her high players, Phelan didn’t have to school seasons; named to the look that far to find a mentor. 2013 Central Prairie League sec“I grew up watching basketond all-league team; won honorball and playing with my sisable mentions on the Topeka ters and, of course, my cousin Capital Journal, Wichita Eagle Gunner,” she said. “So it’s a and Hutchinson News all-star family thing.” teams in 2013; was placed on MARK McCOY/Kansas Hardwood In fact, Reagan’s spinning the first CPL all-league team in 2014; was named the 2014 player Reagan Phelan goes in for a lay-up at the 2013-14 State tournament at Manhattan. See PHELAN, Page 35 of the year by the Hutchinson

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 29

Class 2A

St. John’s Dean Wade

The Sunflower State’s answer to Larry Bird Story and Photo by Mark McCoy

o the horror of basketball coaches in the Central Prairie League and throughout the 2A division, St. John-Hudson’s premier power forward Dean Wade grew another inch over the summer. He also spent a lot of time in the weight room, adding muscle to his former lanky frame. Wade, now standing at 6’9”, was hard enough to contain as a junior. He averaged 22 points per game; 8.1 rebounds; 2.5 steals and 3.7 blocks in the 2013-14 season. He deflects a lot of opponents’ shots heading towards the basket. He scored 461 points last season, making 172 of 265 shots for a 65

percent average. Wade made 17 of 36 treys for a 47 percent average and made 100 of 138 charity shots for a 72 percent average. He spent the summer honing his basketball skills, which will add to the headaches of coaches watching game film, in an attempt to try and slow the big man down. Layne Bieberle, a basketball star for the Central Plains Oilers and a premier player in his own right, sums it up best. “Dean Wade is an amazing athlete. He can hit the bucket from beyond the arc almost anywhere on the court,” Bieberle said. “He can make the shots from within the paint. He can dominate down low and make

the dunk.” Wade was named to the all-State team following the Tigers’ win of the 2A boys’ 2014 basketball title; named to the CPL first all-league team; was named 2A player of the year and made the first team of a lot of media outlets following his junior season. Ranked 108th in the nation by Rivals.com, a Yahoo! Sports website, Wade also has the distinction of being the first Kansas basketball player to be recruited by Kansas State University’s Bruce Weber, who took over the Wildcat program in 2013. Wade verbally committed to the See WADE, Page 59

Page 30

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Class 2A

Central Plains’ Bieberle It’s all about the defense for senior point guard Story and Photo by Mark McCoy

ayne Bieberle, the 6’1” senior point guard for the Central Plains Oilers, is almost impossible to contain on the hardwood. In the 2013-14 season, Bieberle was an integral part of a basketball team that racked up a 18-4 season and a sub-state runner-up trophy. The only team that beat the Oilers last season was the St John-Hudson Tigers, who handed Central Plains all four losses. About the only player in the Central Prairie League that has a shot against Bieberle is St. John-Hudson’s 6’9” Dean Wade. For other teams playing the Oilers, Bieberle’s scoring threat is such that he is constantly double-teamed on the court — in vain. “That was frustrating, losing four games to only one team last year,” Bieberle said. “To beat them, we know that they will obviously have Wade — who can shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor from beyond the arc and can beat you down low. They also have three other really good outside shooters and they just re-load every year. “If we can catch them on a night where they aren’t making their shots well on the outside range, then we can concentrate on shutting down Dean Wade. We will have to play unbelievable defense and great offense too.” Bieberle averaged 20.6 points per game; 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and two steals per game last season. He is a smooth basketball player that likes to make

shots from beyond the paint, but can and does make the inside shots when available to him. Bieberle can also

shoot the 3-ball and scored a lot of points for Central Plains from beyond the arc. He is an exciting player to

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Go Oilers!

watch. Bieberle’s philosophy of basketball is — surprisingly — about defense. “You have to have good defense in order to play good offense,” he said. “A good defense is going to give your offense the shots. You want to keep the ball out of your opponent’s hands and in yours. That is where defense comes into play.” Bieberle is a skilled defensive player, rarely getting into foul trouble and often drawing fouls. He makes plenty of deflections and blocks at the bucket and isn’t afraid to hit the hardwood to get a loose ball. As the teams’ floor leader, Bieberle sees the floor well and makes a lot of critical passes to get the ball to open players beneath the net. “Layne is a fierce competitor,” said head Oilers basketball coach Brett Rolfs. “He plays extremely hard on both sides of the ball. He is obviously an excellent offensive player, but also often finds himself guarding the other team’s best guard. “He has come a long way on the leadership front that has gained him great respect from the team and coaches. I expect Layne to continue to improve his game as well as push his teammates to do the same.” An all-around athlete, Bieberle also plays football and tennis. In football, he is the primary wide receiver and a quality defensive back for the Oilers. In the 2013 game See BIEBERLE, Page 57

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 31

Class 2A

‘Round up the usual suspects’ A

By Mark McCoy

which would usually be a death-knell for games should not be missed, if one ctor Claude Rain’s familiar a team in a championship game — wants to watch top-level high school quote from Casablanca — Kylee Kasselman, a sophomore this sea“Round up the usual suspects” basketball action. The only reason that the Oilers didn’t son, stepped into the void and proved — would apply to the upcoming Class she can compete on a team that is deep make a state berth in 2014 is that the 2A this season. in talent. two teams vied for the sub-state chamSt John-Hudson, the reigning 2A The Lady O’s have the talented pionship in Greensburg, with the Tigers champs, will probably dominate the juniors Reagan Phelan and Taylor Rolfs, winning the playoff berth. A lot of seaboys’ side again, as they are a team both of whom are extraordinary ball soned basketball pundits think that known for reloading, as opposed to handlers and scorers. Phelan was placed either team would be competitive in the rebuilding. on several post-season honors teams and upper KSHAA divisions. On the girl’s side, the Lady Oilers of Washington County, which was elimi- is considered to be one of the best Central Plains, also the reigning 2A female basketball players champs, will be formidathe state. While a lot ble, losing only one startOn the girls’ side, the Lady Oilers of Central in of Central Plains’ oppoing senior, Breanna Holmes, from a talented Plains are in a position to dominate 2A this nents concentrate on Phelan, Rolfs, at 5’11”, is and young line-up that season. Their roster is young, deep and deceptively fast and clinched the state title in makes a lot of outside 2014 in a nail-biter with talented. shots for the Lady O’s. powerful WinchesterThe sophomore talent Jefferson County. also includes 3-ball Although the Tigers shooter Janae Ryan and graduated Kade Cassidy Crites. Tennis Kinnamon, Zuriel Reyes star Breanna Schartz, a senior, would nated in the first round by St Johnand Jesus Alvarez, they will be led by start on any other basketball team in the Hudson, will be right at the top of the senior Dean Wade, a 6’9” power forward, who is multi-talented and can play 2A list, as the Tigers played the champi- division and is a formidable role player for Central Plains, giving the starting onship team as well as anyone had all in any spot on the team and has already line-up breathers when needed without season. (Think Oilers). Washington verbally committed to play at Kansas losing the momentum of the game. County only lost one senior on a club State following graduation. The Tigers Washington County is well-coached return Cole Kinnamon, who is as equal- that plays team ball and should have team that will return a lot of players this another successful season. ly talented as his older brother and all season as well as the Lady Trojans of Another team returning with a good the Tigers are adept at shooting from Hillsboro. Both teams compete in comcore group of players is Pittsburg-St. within the paint or beyond the arc. St. petitive basketball leagues and know Mary’s Colgan. The Panthers only lost John-Hudson might be the best 3-ball how to win. three seniors and return a talented shooting team in 2A, if not the state. junior class that has a lot of height and In fact, about the only team that gave Olpe — coached by Jesse Nelson, who moves the ball well. the Tigers much of a headache in the owns the best win-loss record in Kansas Olpe has a long-standing basketball 2013 regular season was the Oilers of high school basketball history — will in all tradition and like St. John-Hudson, has Central Plains, whose four losses in a likelihood make an appearance at the State a tendency to re-load and is almost a 19-4 season were at the hands of St. tournament. The Lady Eagles were also a perennial competitor in the big dance. John-Hudson. Both teams compete young team last season, lost only two The Meade Buffaloes were the domiwithin the Central Plains League and seniors to graduation and under Nelson’s nant team in the southwestern part of each match-up was worthy of a State guidance, will be a team to watch. the state and should return with anothchampionship game. The Oilers are led Meade is another team that only lost by 6’1” Layne Bieberle, a senior, who is a er fine basketball team in 2014-15. one senior to graduation and the Lady On the girls’ side, the Lady Oilers of tremendous inside player. Junior Buffaloes are a quality club who defeatCentral Plains are in a position to domi- ed mighty Olpe with deceptive ease in Michael Ryan is the team’s dead-shot nate 2A this season. Their roster is 3-baller, but junior Braedan Crites the State tournament. They will once young, deep and talented. When the makes the shots when open and senior again dominate the southwest corner of Lady O’s lost Holmes in the beginning Michael Lamatsch is a solid defensive the state in 2A play and should make an minutes of the championship game — player that can also score. Tigers-Oilers appearance in the 2014-15 big dance.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

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his season should be a learning experience for everyone. Skyler Suther, a seven-year coaching veteran, will be in his first year as head coach at Alma-Wabaunsee. He has one returning starter, sophomore Cooper Imthurn, 5’9” point guard. “I hold high expectations for any team I’m a part of, but at the same time I know it’s going to be a building year with a new coach, new system and being a fairly young team. We will play with a lot of discipline and be a defensive minded team,” Suther said. “I’m very excited for this season to get started and look forward to a good season of basketball.” The Chargers finished the 2013-14 season with an 11-10 record. Girls The Lady Chargers return 5’11” senior Cara Flack, who ranked first in the Mid-East League in average points per game, assists and rebounds during the 2013-14 season. She will be joined by classmates Alissa Barber, 5’9” guard, and Ann Flach, also 5’9”. Alma-Wabaunsee is coached by Shanna Perine, who is in her first year as the Lady Chargers coach.

Bennington Bulldogs

he Bulldogs continue to work on improvement as they follow a 15-7 season, including a 7-4 record in the Heart of America League, where Bennington placed fifth. Oddly enough, however, the team was not without presence in the league. As a junior, 5’10” Josh Fief placed first in assists per game with 4.6 and first in steals with 3 per game. Teammate Dustin Stanley, 5’9”, ranked fourth in league in assists. Both return this season for their senior years. Another returning starter is Kyle Kieborz, who has played varsity since his sophomore year. The Bulldogs are coached by Tim Dolloff, who has been at Bennington for more than a dozen years. Dolloff said he also is expecting big things from his juniors, Cyrus Haynes and Jacob Stanley. Girls The Bennington girls lost their best all-around player, Dani Nay, this past spring to graduation. Three other players also were graduated, following a season that ended with a 7-14 record, including 1-9 in league. This season will be a fresh start — in a way. The girls’ assistant coach, Curtis Pickering, has switched jobs with head coach Cody Smith.

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coring. Rebounding. Speed. Those are the skills Jeff Vogt expects his Lady Cardinals to practice this season. “We graduated about 90 percent of our scoring so we are going to have to have some ladies step up and put some points on the board,” said Vogt, an 18-year coaching veteran who is in his second year at Ell-Saline. “We don’t have any height so rebounding is going to be a big emphasis for us this year. Our speed and quickness will play a huge role in any success we have this season.” The Lady Cardinals ended the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 17-6 and sub-state runner-up. Returning starters are seniors Emma Drees, 5’8” point guard, and Darby Wykoff, 5’10” forward. Vogt’s goals are to be undefeated at home, win a league title and land at State. “With only two returning starters, our young players are going to have to contribute,” he said. “We have some young ladies that will have to grow up quickly.” Boys Drew Sprague has five seniors on the roster as he starts his first year as head coach of the Cardinals. “We have a great bunch of kids and look to improve on last year’s record,” he said. Returning from this past season’s 6-15 team are seniors Luiz Antonio Arceo, Cody Walters, Brandon Clark, Kamden Basinger and Evan Morrical.

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Central Plains

xpectations continue to be high for a team that finished third in 2A during the 2013-14 season. The Oilers could go all the way this year. “We have four returning starters from a team that was arguably one of the best in Class 2A last season,” said Brett Rolfs, who is entering his third season as head coach. “We are right where we need to be. We are now a seasoned team and are poised to take that last step. We expect to be playing in Manhattan come March.” Returning are: seniors Layne Bieberle, 6’1” guard; and Michael Lamatsch, 6’0” forward; and juniors Michael Ryan, 6’0” point guard; and Braedan Crites, 6’1” forward/guard. “We know who we are,” Rolfs said. “We need to play our game. Success will come from playing an up tempo game on the offensive end and being disciplined and fundamental on the defensive side. “All the ingredients are there; we just have to put them to work night in and night out.” Girls The Lady Oilers return seven players with varsity experience from its 2013-14 team that ended with a 26-0 record and a State championship. Junior Reagan Phelan, 5’6” point guard, will be joined by junior guards Taylor Rolfs, 5’10”, and Kendi Maxwell, 5’7”, and sophomore guard Janae Ryan, 5’7”. Two other players, Breanna Schartz, 5’10” senior post, and Cassidy Crites, 5’8” sophomore guard, also have significant playing time.

“Success will depend on how our team chemistry develops and having some individuals stepping up to take on leadership roles,” said coach Pat Stiles, who is in his third year at head coach of the Lady Oilers.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

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Canton-Galva Eagles

he Eagles return six players with varsity experience from 2013-14, when the CantonGalva boys finished the season with a 6-15 record. Returning starters are: junior Travis Unruh, 6’0” point guard; and seniors Nick Bray and Connor Farnham, both 6’0” guards; and Tanner Klingensmith, 5’10” forward. They will be joined by Trey Moddelmog, 6’0” senior forward; and Zach Snow, 6’4” junior. “We have high expectations this season,” said Shane Duncan, the Eagles’ head coach for the past three seasons. “The kids worked hard over the summer and we expect it to pay off during the season. Staying healthy will be a key to a successful season. Last year, the injury bug hit us

pretty hard ... Our strength will be perimeter shooting and running the floor. We will be undersized in most of our match-ups, so rebounding will be key in every game we play.” Girls The past two seasons have been rough on the Lady Eagles, as they finished near the bottom of their Heart of America League with a 1-9 record each year. Still, head coach Kelly Unruh has a solid crop of players returning this season, including junior point guard Cassidy Enns, who was chosen by coaches for the league’s first team as a sophomore. Canton-Galva lost its share of players to graduation; however, this year’s seniors include Keana Hayden, Caley Johnson and Nicole Wilhelm, all of whom lettered as sophomores.

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ColdwaterSouth Central Timberwolves

randt Rogers takes the reins of the Timberwolves this season, after losing only one player, Nathan Brooks, 6’3” forward, to graduation. Returning plays include Koy Alexander, 6’1” senior. South Central went 11-10 overall this past year and 5-5 in league action, ending its season in the semi-finals of substate to Central Plains, 58-41. Girls The Lady Timberwolves finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 16-6 and a league performance of 8-2 under veteran coach Tim Rietzke. One senior from that team was lost this past season to graduation — Kilee Harris, who averaged 14 points per game and 7.8 rebounds. However, returning for South Central are juniors Micaela Jellison, 5’8”, who averaged 9.1 points per game, 6.4 rebounds and 2 steals; Haley Unruh, 5’10”, who averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds; and Reagan Bayne, 5’5” who averaged 12.1 points per game, 5.2 rebounds and 3 steals.

Decatur Community

Red Devils

his could be a year to remember for the Lady Red Devils. Four starters from this past season’s 7-13 team return: seniors Demi Murray, 5’4” point guard; Shawn Baker, 5’7” guard; Molly Jansonius, 5’8” forward; and Karian Castle, 5’9” forward. “I expect to be very competitive in our league and compete to go to the State tournament,” said Brandon Gehring, who is in his second year as head coach. “We have experience and the leadership to be a good basketball team. “Our keys are to play sound, fundamental defense and develop some depth. We will not start the season with a very deep bench, but hopefully find some players that are ready to step up and play some good varsity minutes.” Boys The Red Devils lost almost 13 points a game with the loss of Kyle Breth this past spring to graduation. However, second-year coach Tim Breth maintains a good foundation for this 2014-15 season. On the roster are seniors Regent Erickson, 6’1” center/forward, who averaged 6.6 points a game and 4.8 rebounds; Kelden Breth, 5’8” player who averages 6.4 points and 1.6 rebounds; and Kaine Fredrickson, 5’11” guard. They will be joined by 5’10” junior Noah Nelson, who averaged 7 points per game his sophomore year and 2.6 rebounds. Decatur Community finished this past season with an overall record of 7-13.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3 555 US Hwy 77 Herington 785-258-2256

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Ellinwood Eagles

he Lady Eagles finished the 2013-14 season with an 18-5 record, losing in the sub-state championship to Central Plains of Claflin. Most of those players were lost to graduation. However, returning is senior Rachel Doll, 5’9” guard who averaged 11.9 points per game and 3.5 rebounds. She will be joined by sophomore Allison Panning, 5’7” guard/forward, who started in six games this past season. Coach Kyle Kriegh is in his second year at Ellinwood. He has been coaching at the high school level for seven years. “I expect our team to compete for a league title in our new Central Prairie League,” he said. “In addition, I expect our team to have a winning record and continue improving our program.” Boys Improvement is the name of the game this season for the Eagles and their first-year coach Derek Joiner. Ellinwood’s record for the 2013-14 season was 5-16 overall and 0-6 in league play. Returning are seniors Gavin Vink, 5’8” guard who averaged 4.2 points per game, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals; and Marc Waite, 6’4” guard/ forward who averaged 7.9 points per game and 3.2 rebounds.

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Ellis Railers

he Ellis girls return three starters from last season’s Class 2A state tournament team which finished 19-5, including their leading scorer the last two years. Alexcia Deutscher, a 5’9” junior forward, averaged 16 points per game as a sophomore after getting 18 points a game as a freshman. Deutscher, a state-caliber sprinter in track, will lead the Railroaders’ uptempo offense. “We want to score easy every time we can,” said Railer coach Perry Mick. “Part of what predicates all that is Deutscher is a state sprinter. We want to use that to our strengths. Our strengths are athleticism and speed.” The Railers’ other returning starters are senior guards Stephanie Greenway and Sarah Mick, who each averaged 8 points a game. “We’re going to have lofty goals,” coach Mick said. “We definitely want to win league, we want to win our league tournament, definitely want to win sub-state. I think those are all well within reach.” Boys After a 9-13 record and a semi-final finish in 2013-2014, head coach Chris Rorabaugh likes his chances this year to win sub-state and advance to the 2A state tournament. Three starters return for Ellis. “We want to finish in the top 3 of the Mid-Continent League,” he said. “There are 10 schools in the league this year, and we also have a great chance at winning sub-state.” Keys to the Railroaders success will hinge on improving their team defense, and developing their bench.

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Herington Railers

n her second year as coach of the Lady Railers, Brooke Gursky expects to see improvements in a team that will return three starters. Herington finished the 2013-14 season with a 6-15 record. “I expect my team to finish with a winning record this year,” Gursky said. “We are very capable of accomplishing that this year if we can be consistent.” Returning starters are: Katie Martin, senior post/guard; Sarah Lietz, junior post; and Jordyn Schrader, sophomore guard who started about a third of this past season’s games. “We need to have multiple scoring threats this year. We have the potential to have a great inside/outside game this year. I think we also have a good fast break game this year. Defensively I will look to use our team speed to our advantage,” Gursky said. Boys There wasn’t much to cheer about during the Railers 201314 basketball season. The goal is to make this year better. The Herington boys finished this past year with records of 1-20 overall and 0-7 in league. The Railers only win came in February against Northern Heights, 38-35.

Gregg Hackerott is the coach.

Hill City Ringnecks

he Lady Ringnecks have five juniors with playing time and a group of freshmen working to find their niche on a team that went 9-13 this past season, beating Trego Community High School in the first round of sub-state and losing to eventual winner Ellis. “I think we’re going to be strong defensively and run the floor well,” said Linda Nighswonger, who starts her 9th year as head coach. Players with floor experience include: juniors Lexie McDowell, Amanda Conway and Kylie Simon, guards; and Adrianna Nichelson and Kayla Bell, posts.

Boys

It could be a challenging first half of the season for Hill City as the Ringnecks face the toughest of the teams in the tough MidContinent League, including Stockton, which veteran Hill City head coach Keith Riley thinks could win 1A, Division 1 this season. On the plus side, Hill City has good ball handlers and is fairly quick. “We should also be better inside this year, which will be another real plus,” Riley said. Returning starters are: seniors Ethan Gansel, 5’7’ point guard, who averaged 9 points a game this past season; Tanner Colbern, 5’6” senior, who averaged 7 points; and Deric McKever, 6’0” center, who averaged 11 points. For the past four years, Riley has not had a player taller than 6’0’. That changes this year with a 6’3” sophomore coming on board. The Ringnecks finished this past season with a 15-9 record, losing to Plainville in sub-state finals.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 35

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he Leopards return four starters from the Lincoln boys’ 2013he Lady Mavericks 14 team. That doesn’t necessarwere loaded with ily guarantee success, however. seniors during the The Leopards finished this 2013-14 season, which means past season with a 4-17 winthe team’s top scorers were loss record. lost to graduation, including Coach Dalen Rathbun is looking for his team to do Katelynn Gamble, who conmuch better and improve when tributed about 12 points a Lincoln takes to the court in game and 3.6 rebounds. November. That leaves Coach Thomas It’s all about making positive Derstein with a rebuilding strides in defense. job this year. “We need to play defense to Kiowa County finished this help us score,” said Rathbun, a past season with an overall 31-year coaching veteran who record of 13-7 and a league is in his second year at Lincoln. tally of 7-2 in the Southern Returning starters are: Plains-Iroquois Girls juniors Zac Walter, 6’ forward; Basketball League behind Tyrece Simms, 5’8” guard; and Bucklin and South Central. Matt Davied, 6’2” post; and senior Wynter Wiebke, 5’10” Boys guard. Zach White starts his second Girls season as the Maverick head Improvement is the name of coach after the 2013-14 season, the game this season for the Lady when Kiowa County posted Leopards. records of 6-14 overall and 4-4 “We have a lot of experience in league. back and we should be improved,” said Steve Crist, head coach for 1026 N. 6th 15 years. “We must be able to hit some Lincoln three points on a consistent basis 785-524-4462 to help free up our posts.” Returning starters are: senior Dine-in or Kayla Haring, 5’11” post; and Carryout juniors Brittni Harlow, 5’4” guard; Walford, 6’0” post; and Metz Law Firm, Chtd. Grace Ashley Wollesen, 5’10” forward. 116 South Fourth • P.O. Box 36 • Lincoln, Kansas 67455 The Lady Leopards finished Ph (785) 524-4466 • Fax (785) 524-5191 Email: metzlaw@nckcn.com the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 9-13 and a loss in Proud to support our area sports teams! the sub-state semi-finals.

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Phelan

Continued from Page 28 jump shot beneath the rim is eerily just as fast and smooth as Gunner Phelan’s, who was a tremendous player for the Quivira Heights T-birds. Few female — or male — basketball players are quick enough to defend against it. “Well, I learned that from playing with Gunner,” she said with a grin. “We shoot a lot of hoops behind the dog barn.” Reagan’s father Mark and her uncle John operate a Greyhound training and racing business based in Holyrood. Phelan is also an excellent 3-ball shooter, which makes her a scoring danger to opponents even beyond the arc. But with all her scoring and defensive skills, perhaps the most interesting thing about Reagan’s game is her willingness to share the ball with her teammates. “Reagan is very unselfish and gladly shares the ball with her teammates,” said Lady Oilers head coach Pat Stiles. “She seems to get more satisfaction out of an assist than scoring herself.” That aspect of her game is what makes Phelan such a danger to opposing teams, as she also sees the floor well and can insure getting the basketball into the hands of a capable teammate for a score, which is what a point guard is supposed to do. Stiles took over the Lady Oiler program in the 2012-13 season, replacing head coach Toby Holmes who took the Lady O’s to a third place win at the State tournament during the 201112 season, in first year of consolidation between Claflin and Quivira Heights schools. Stiles was the junior high coach that season and is the father of Jackie Stiles, one of five Kansas basketball players to play in the WNBA. “He’s an incredible coach,” Phelan said about Stiles. “He knows a lot about the game and what we need to do. I’ve played with him since seventh and eighth grades.” Phelan is also a big believer in Stile’s coaching mantra, to take the season “one game at a time” and never overlook the upcoming opponent. Off the court, Phelan maintains a 3.8 grade point average, but hasn’t quite settled on a course of study following high school outside of basketball. “I’d like to play as long as I can,” Phelan said. “I really haven’t settled on a school yet, but it has to be somewhere where I can play.” Phelan’s willingness to share also extends off the court. As the Lady O’s were posing for team photographs with the 2A State basketball trophy, Phelan noticed that Jamie Liebl, the team’s manager, was hanging back, almost out of the frame. Phelan quickly motioned her over to the team, then slipped her arm around Liebl to insure she was included in the photograph. “She is always there for us,” Phelan said. “We never lack for water during a game. She always makes sure we have what we need.”

Page 36

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Little River Redskins

he Little River Redskins opened the 2013-14 season in December on the road at Moundridge. The boys did almost half their scoring from outside the arc with eight three-pointers. Tevin Renken, who hit two of the triples and scored a total of 27 points, was lost to graduation. The good news is that Grant Harvey, who contributed two three-pointers as part of a 12-point effort, returns this season. Chad Lafferty’s Redskins finished the season with an overall record of 16-4 and a third-place finish of 6-1 in the Wheat State League. The Indians were in line behind Solomon and Rural Vista. Girls The Lady Redskins started their 2013-14 season in a similar manner, with a 48-31 loss to Moundridge. However, the season improved as it went along, especially in Wheat State League play. Under head coach Shane Cordell, Little River ended the season with an overall record of 15-7 and 7-0 in the league for first place and the title. Will the Lady Redskins repeat? Skylar Johnston, who tallied 12 points in the Moundridge game, was lost to graduation. And the Lady Redskins move forward with a new coach, Terry Ranken.

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Meade Buffaloes

his could be a regrouping year for the Buffaloes, who finished the 2013-14 season with a record of 20-4 and a substate title before losing in the first round of the 2A state tournament. “I think the first thing we will have to do is figure out who we are and what we can do well,” said Austin Lewis, who starts his third season as head coach. “Every team has to have something they can hang their hat on as far as what they can do to be successful. Of course, we have some ideas, but each season/team takes on its own identity. We’ll just have to find our niche like everyone else. If we mature and develop quickly, expectations will remain pretty high around our program.” Meade has two returning starters, senior Ryan Friesen, 6’0” guard, and junior Tristin Lewis, 6’8 post. “In the last two years, we have graduated 13 seniors from our program. We will have two returning seniors this year, so our underclassmen will make up a bulk of our varsity team. I still like our situation because we have some talented young players. But there will be a learning curve that we’ll need to overcome if we want to close the gap with some older, more experienced teams,” the coach said. Girls The numbers keep getting better for the Lady Buffaloes. Can the trend continue this season? Coach Craig Batchman hopes so. Meade finished the 2013-14 season with records of 20-5 overall and 8-1 in the Hi-Plains League, behind a Cimarron team that returned a lot of experience. The season ended in the playoffs when Meade ran into a talented Central Plains team that eventually took home the Class 2A title. Returning this season are three seniors who can all hold their own on the court: Bailey Olvera, 5’6” guard who averaged 14.2 points per game and 4.9 rebounds; Tarah Wiens, 6’0” player who averaged 8.1 points her game and 8.2 rebounds; and Beth Lewis, aa 5’10” player who averaged 5.7 points and three rebounds.

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Medicine Lodge Indians

n his first year as head coach of the Indians, Josh Ybarra hopes to carry on “the great basketball tradition” at Medicine Lodge. Helping him will be returning starters Joel Clarke, 5’9” senior guard, and Gage Axline, 5’10” junior forward. Ybarra, who was assistant boys’ coach for three years before stepping into the top job, saw the Indians post a 10-12 record in 2013-14, losing to St. John-Hudson in the second round of sub-state. “My expectations for this coming season are to be a tough, defensive team that competes every night to win,” Ybarra said. “For us to be successful, we are going to have to learn how to play as a team on both offense and defense, as well as communicate with each other better. “We have a great group of young players that will need to gain some experience early in the season for us to be successful.” Girls Coach Lowell Dohrmann will trade seven seniors for the one he lost this past spring to graduation. The Medicine Lodge girls finished the 2013-14 season with record of 4-17 overall and 3-6 in league

Scott C ity • W aK eeney H illC ity • O ak ley

Oakley Plainsmen

n his second year at Oakley as head coach, Craig Wamsley returns two starters, seniors Mason Scheetz, 6’6” forward, and Keenan Smith, 5’11” guard. “We should be very competitive in all of our games,” Wamsley said. “This will be the first year we play a full MCL schedule, so we will have to play our best each and every night to compete with the teams we play.” The Plainsmen ended the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 14-8. To be successful this year, “we have to play solid defense and not turn the ball over. We will have a lot of guys who have never played varsity getting a lot of minutes, so we have to take care of the ball and utilize our possessions,” Wamsley said. Girls

Oakley continues to move forward as new head coach Ty Pfannenstiel works to regroup following the loss of senior Laura Dennis, a first team All-State selection who averaged 19 points per game, to graduation. Pfannenstiel, who came to northwest Kansas from GardnerEdgerton, replaced long-time Oakley football, girls’ basketball and track coach Randall Rath, who is now at Cimarron.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 37

Ness City Eagles

he Eagles return four starters from their 2013-14 team that ended the season with an overall record of 8-14. They are: seniors Pedro Flores, 5’8” point guard; Tanner McMillen, 6’1” guard/forward; and Kyle Harris, 6’1” guard; and sophomore Chandler Stiawalt, 6’1” guard. “We continue to have high expectations,” said Matt Overlease, who is in his seventh year as Eagles head coach. “We return a core group of guys who have a lot of varsity experience and have played together for a couple of years. We had a great summer and look for some young guys to step up and contribute immediately. “One of the biggest keys to success for us this year is going to be unselfish basketball. We are not overly big, so we are going to have to rely on pressure defense and use quickness to score points in transition.”

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Girls The Lady Eagles ended the 2013-14 season with a record of 13-6 overall and 2-4 in the tough Central Prairie League. Returning for this season is Cailin Foos, a 5’10” senior. Her father, Curtis Foos, is in his second year coaching the Lady Eagles.

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he Lady Wildcats finished the 2013-14 season with records of 9-11 overall. Rick Totten is the Oxford new head coach. “We are really looking forward to a new start and the approaching basketball season.” Boys Nine-year head coach Kyle Green brings back three starters from his 2013-2014 roster that posted a solid 17-6 record, but fell short of the state tournament, losing in their sub-state final to PittColgan. “I believe we could be a solid basketball team,” Green said. “We will return three kids with starting experience as well as two other seniors that have played minutes.” Depth is a lingering problem heading into this season for the Wildcats, though. “Our depth is something that we are going to have to have to build over the summer in MAYB, and our usual summer camp.” Building depth isn’t an area Green has had a lot of trouble with over the years, and assuming the Wildcats are able to do that, Green’s expectations for his team should be attainable.

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Plainville Cardinals

oach Chris Drees knows he can’t replace graduated all-state center Hadley Gillum’s production with just one player. It will take a team effort to come close to replicating Gillum’s 21 points and 14.5 rebounds per game for the Cardinals, who finished 23-3 last year and runner-up at the Class 2A state tournament. “The rebounding has got to be a team effort,” said Drees, entering his second season as the Plainville boys’ coach. “I don’t expect somebody to go out and grab 16 boards a game that’s unrealistic.” Plainville has two returning starters and another player who started about half the season. Back for the Cardinals is 6’2” senior forward Brent Gehring and 5’11” senior guard Kolt Newell. Gehring averaged 14 points and Newell added 8 points per game. Hayden Friend, a 5’9” sophomore guard, made the starting lineup during the season. “I am pretty optimistic about our year,” Drees said. “I think we have some good pieces back.” Girls Ronnie Wolf ’s Lady Cardinals return all five starters from 2013-14: seniors Mallory McQueen, 5’7” guard; Brianna Casey, 5’8” guard, and Kim Junkermeier, 5’10” forward; and juniors Shania Werner, 5’7” guard; and Lyric Dewey, 6’0” forward. “We should be a much improved team this year, and our kids have high expectations,” said Ronnie Wolf, in his third year as head coach. “We return our top seven kids from last year and will focus on defense, ball handling and shooting.” Plainville finished this past season with a 6-15 record, losing its final game of the season to Ellis.

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Rawlins Co. Buffaloes

BellevilleRepublic Co. Buffaloes

he Lady Buffs have a new coach this year, following the more than 40-year reign of John Terry. Morgan Strand will start her first year as a teacher and a basketball coach with two experienced players, Katie Withington, a senior guard, and Olivia Chvatal, a junior post. “I will be a newbie this year. It might be a building year for us,” Strand said. Boys This could be a rebuilding year for the Buffaloes. Jeff Lankas, who is in his ninth year as head coach, lost all five of his starters this past spring to graduation. The Buffaloes finished the season with an overall record of 8-11 and a league record of 3-4. Most of his remaining players are younger.

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mith Center has five returning lettermen from last year’s 14-8 team. The biggest hurdle for the girls’ team this year will be finding someone to replace Kaitlin Albort at point guard. “Our depth at that position is not very strong,” said head coach Nick Linn. “We have a pretty good nucleus back from this past season, but we did lose good experience to graduation last year.” If Smith Center can find a remedy for its point guard situation, the squad has enough overall experience for another successful season.

he Lady Buffs were 4-17 during the 2013-14 season. Head coach Alan Sheets looks for a better showing. Republic County returns its entire team from a year ago. “The Lady Buffs gained valuable playing time and experience and look to make great improvement in 2014-15,” Sheets said. “Republic County plays in the rugged NCAA league. They also play in the Hillsboro Trojan Classic, which has perennial 3A powers Hillsboro (now 2A), Riley County, Holcomb, Hesston and TMP. The strong schedule will prepare the Lady Buffs for the end of the season.” Returning starters are: senior Joni Sheets, 5’7” guard/forward; junior Kalli Valek, 5’9” forward; Boys and sophomores Madison Scott, Second-year Smith Center 5’3” guard; Kendsey Johnson, 5’4” boys’ basketball coach Joe guard; and Casey Benyshek, 5’6” forward. Burgardt hopes to play at a Johnson averaged the most faster pace this season. points — 9 with three rebounds “I want to speed up our per game — this past season and game a little bit,” Burgardt was named to NCAA All-League. said. “We played rather slow She was followed by Scott, with last year, due to our personsix points and two rebounds avernel. I think we can play a litage per game. Republic County also returns tle faster this year, try to get four letter winners: Bryn up and down the court quickHobelmann, Ashley Pachta, er.” Kendra Scott and Audrey Sheets. The Redmen return several Boys seniors from last season’s The Buffaloes finished 11-12 8-11 squad, including starters last year with their final loss coming in their sub-state championMason Buckmaster, a forship game to put them just under ward, and guard L.T. Meitler. .500. Head coach Kevin Kuhlman “We’ve got a good group of brings back juniors Tyler Popelka, seniors and some younger and Tucker Allen as his only kids that can fill in and help,” returning starters. Making up for Burgardt said. the Buffaloes’ lack of size will determine their success this year. “We must rebound well, and be patient sharing to ball in order to COVER C NORTH WE make up for our lack of size,” said CENTRAL KANSAS N Kuhlman. “We’ll have to play hard, B • CONCORDIA • CLAY CENTER • BELLEVILLE • GREENLEAF and uptempo.” At the very least THE www.thecnb.com this year will help develop a solid CITIZENS group of juniors who will start for NATIONAL We want to be Republic County.” YOUR bank! BANK MEMBER FDIC

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Solomon Gorillas

he Gorillas ended the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 12-9, including a first-round sub-state loss to the Republic County Buffaloes. The news was better in the Wheat State League, where Solomon post a 6-1 record, putting the school in first place. It was Nick Perez’s first year as head coach at Solomon. He continues this season with one senior, Blake Homman, 6’3” guard, who averaged 11.4 points per game this past season and 5.1 rebounds. Four juniors and two sophomores fill out the roster. Girls The Lady Gorillas lost two seniors to graduation — Taylor Hagen and Jamie Meagher, who averaged 15.6 points per game and 8 rebounds. Stepping into this season’s senior class are Alexa Ritter, Jordain Ballue and Morgan Clark. Veteran head coach Pete Meagher leads the Lady Gorillas. Solomon ended this past season with a 6-16 overall record and a 3-5 record in Wheat State League play, putting it six out of eight teams.

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South Gray Rebels

he Rebels hope to move from groomsmen to groom this season. For the past two seasons, Montezuma/South Gray has lost in the finals of 2A sub-state. “We want to take that next step,” veteran coach Mark Applegate said. He returns four starters: seniors Tate Skinner, 5’10” guard; Carson Skidmore, 6’3” forward/guard; Jake Peters, 6’4” forward; and Peter Martens, 5’10” guard. Also on the bench will be returning lettermen: sophomores Luke Skinner, 5’8” guard and Jackson Miller, 6’3” forward/ guard; seniors Henry Giesbrecht, 5’10” guard and Michael Martens, 6’1” forward/guard; and junior Jordan Loewen, 6’5” forward. The Rebels ended the 2013-14 season with a 19-4 record. They finished the year before with a 20-4 record after going from 1A to 2A. Applegate, who is in his 33rd year at Montezuma/South Gray, said his team must develop a better chemistry to take home a championship. “We have all the physical tools to take that step; we have to have that leadership step forward on the court,” he said. Girls Head coach Grant Salman’s goals for his team are improving on a 7-13 record and their league position from last year, as well as advancing in the post season. The Lady Rebels return 4 starters, 3 of whom are seniors who look to improve their team’s defense and shooting percentage. “We have a good group of players with experience. We want to advance in post season play,” Salman said.

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Trego Community Golden Eagles

he 2013-14 season was a tumultuous time for the Golden Eagles. They had three different coaches and ended the year with a 0-20 record. Jeff Rhoden, who took over as head coach in January, looks for better times. Returning is junior Cedric Flax, a 5’10” guard. “We look to build in a positive way,” Rhoden said. “After losing five seniors and not likely to have a senior on the team this year, we will turn to our large group of juniors to step up and become team leaders. “With a lack of height and not a lot of varsity experience, we will have to play as one to have a great amount of success. Our defense and rebounding must be outstanding and we must capitalize on easy scoring opportunities by making layups and free throws.”

Page 39

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he Tigers have great expectations for the 2014-15 season. “We expect to contend for our league titles, both regular season and tourney, and we expect to contend for a return to the State tournament in Manhattan,” said Lyle Thompson, who is in his second year as head coach. Washington County went 14-9 in the 2013-14 season, losing in the first round at State to eventual state champion St. John. The Tigers’ four returning starters are seniors Zach Otott, 6’1” center, and Andrew Tiemeyer, 5’11” guard; and juniors Kyle McGatlin, 5’11” guard, and Cole Thompson, 6’2” guard. “We have to stay healthy and continue to develop depth, and we have to continue playing as a team,” Thompson said.

Girls The girls’ team will have to compensate for a lack of size this season. “We certainly aren’t going to be very big; that was a big advanGirls tage for us last year,” said secondThe Lady Tigers finished the year coach Jerod Brown, whose 2013-14 season with an overall Golden Eagles finished 10-11 record of 17-4 and second with last year. “I’m looking forward to 10 wins and one loss in the Twin seeing how we adjust our play. “Our experience should be Valley League. helpful.” Scott Romeiser is head coach. Trego has three returning starters in 5-foot-3 senior guards J & N ELLIOTT Allyson Denning and Peyton CONSTRUCTION, INC. Desormiers, and 5-5 junior forBuilding is Easy When You Know Who ward Mariah Brungardt. 785-265-3872 Denning is the top returning 509 S Morton . Morrowville, Kansas scorer at 9.4 points per game.

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Page 40

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Class 1A

More than basketball

Sharon Spring’s Kuhlman finds versatility on the court

achael Kuhlman hurt her foot midway through basketball season last year for Sharon SpringsWallace County, but played through it. She even ran track in the spring even though her right ankle would still give her problems at times. When Kuhlman didn’t pass her school physical over the summer, she visited a specialist in June. The next day, she was under the knife to have a 3-inch tear in her ankle tendon repaired. Kuhlman missed the first part of volleyball season this fall, but finally got on the court in mid-September. Kuhlman said it was frustrating to sit out, but it enabled her to see the big picture. “Kind of made me realize that there’s more to sports than just playing,” she said. “There should be chemistry and team involvement, and winning shouldn’t be the biggest reason we’re out there. We should be there for the memories and to have fun.” A standout player in basketball, Kuhlman should be ready to go this season for Wallace County, which finished 16-6 a year ago and lost in the sub-state title game. Kuhlman was a Class 1A first team allstate selection by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. The 5’8” Kuhlman, who averaged 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, can play everything from point guard to a wing to the post for the Wildcats. “I feel like I’m versatile enough to be competitive at each spot,” Kuhlman said. Kuhlman’s competitiveness is a big part of her game, said Wallace County coach Alicia Collett, in her first year as head coach after being an assistant the last two seasons. “She’s aggressive; she doesn’t like to lose; she doesn’t like to settle for less than her best,” Collett said. “She’s just a wildcat when she plays.” Kuhlman, who has started since her freshman year, when Wallace County won the state title, wants to get back to the state tournament. “We’re ready to go back,” she said.

By Randy Gonzales

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 41

Blue Rapids: Bring on Hoxie By RANDY GONZALES Kansas Hardwood

lue Rapids-Valley Heights girls’ basketball coach Jenny Yungeberg would like nothing more than another chance to play Hoxie. Valley Heights (24-2) had a bad first quarter in last year’s Class 1A Division I state title game, and ended up losing by 20 points. “We really want another shot at Hoxie,” Yungeberg said. “Of course, they’re the one to beat. We definitely want another shot at them.” Hoxie has won 73 straight games and three consecutive state titles. “They still have Carly Heim; she’s pretty special,” Yungeberg said of Hoxie’s senior all-stater from a year ago. “They’ll be there again, ready to make another run. I like our chances against them, if we get there.”Valley Heights returns four starters, including senior Sidney Blackburn, a second team all-state selection by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Blackburn, a 5’9” forward, averaged 17 points per game. She also is a good defensive player, Yungerberg said. “Sidney is a little deceiving,” Yungeberg

said. “She’s only 5’9”, but she’s a great defender. She is by far the best defender we have. “The cool thing about her, she thrives on defense. Sidney wants to have their best players, she wants to guard them.” Jo Roepke, a 5’11” junior, is back at shooting guard after leading the Mustangs in scoring last year at 20 points per game. “We have the nucleus of our scoring back,” Yungeberg said. Roepke also will play some point guard, along with returning starter Cassidy Coggins, a 5’5” senior. Junior Taylor Doner, a 5’7” defensive specialist, is the other returning starter. “They all have very high expectations, and are excited about the season,” Yungeberg said of returning to state. “They have a taste of it now. They made it last year; they want to go back.” *** Hoxie (26-0) lost four players off last year’s state title team, but the Indians also have several younger players looking to step up and take bigger roles to help out Heim and the squad’s other senior, Lexi Schamberger. Heim, who led Hoxie with 14.7 points, 6.5 assists and 6.3

steals per game, was a first team all-state selection. “They’re probably two of the best athletes in Class 1A,” said Hoxie coach Shelly Hoyt. “We have several kids with a lot of playing experience under them. “We definitely got some big shoes to fill. The kids underneath, year after year they saw what hard work looks like. The kids know what it takes to win ballgames, and to stay at a high level.” St. Paul (22-4), which finished fourth at the state tournament, returns 5-10 junior Jordyn Tuck, a third team all-state selection a year ago. Lost Springs-Centre (20-4), a state qualifier last season, has back third team all-state pick Shelby Makovec, a 5’5” senior guard. The Goessel Bluebirds will look to make some noise this season behind Page Hiebert, a 5’10” junior who was honorable mention all-state last season. The Kensington-Thunder Ridge Longhorns will seek postseason success with the help of 5’10” junior Kirsten Burger, who was selected honorable mention all-state last year.

The players make the difference By RANDY GONZALES Kansas Hardwood

he Hoxie boys lost not only the Class 1A Division I state title game last year, but their coach, too. Aaron Dardis is now at Sublette after nine seasons at Hoxie. Taking over is his assistant, Jake Moss, who is in his fourth year with the program. Moss, a 2007 Hoxie graduate, played for Dardis. This season’s Hoxie team will look like previous ones on the floor, except for having to replace three starters off last year’s 24-2 squad. “Defense — we always pride ourselves on our pressure defense,” Moss said. “I don’t look to change that at all. “Offensively, just work the ball around and take good shots.” Hoxie returns two starters in senior

point guard Connor Katt and 6’5” senior center Tanner Smith. Katt averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 steals per game, while Smith averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. The Indians also have back two seniors who were part of the rotation last season in guard Josh Heim and center Tyler Ewers. In addition to making it to the state title game last season, the Indians also made the season finale the year before. Moss attributes the success in large part to what the Indians do in the summer. “A lot of this starts with our summer program,” Moss said. “That’s what’s really done it for us, in my opinion, is we play so many games in the summer.” The players could be in action for as many as 40 games in the offseason. “The kids have really taken it personal; they want to get better,” Moss said. “That

summer program, where we travel all over the state and play a lot of teams we’re not used to seeing … we kind of took our lumps, but at the end of the day made us quite a bit better.” *** Blue Rapids-Valley Heights (23-3), which finished third at state last year, returns a pair of 6’3” senior standouts in Gage Woodyard and Elijah Smith. Caldwell (17-8), which made state last season, returns senior guard Kaden Halling, who averaged a team-high 9.8 points, with 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Also back is senior forward Sam Wencel, who averaged 8.5 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds. Osborne (15-8), which lost in the substate title game last year, returns 6’2” senior Brandt Wolters, an all-state pick last season.

Page 42

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Fairfield Falcons

nly one starter, senior Cannon Burns, returns from the 2013-14 season, when the Falcons posted a 16-5 overall record and a 9-3 showing in the Heart of the Plains League. At home, Fairfield had an impressive 8-1 record. Those are the records coach Luke Bauman hopes to improve upon this season. In addition to Burns, a 6’0” forward who averaged 3.4 points per game this past season, the Falcons have seniors Zach Osenbaugh, 5’7” guard; Cody Voeller, 5’9” guard; and Dalton Dunn, 5’7” guard; and Rafael Sanchez, 5’10” center/ forward. Girls The Lady Falcons lost their two senior leaders to graduation, leaving an opportunity for other players to step into leadership roles this season. This year’s crop of seniors are: Wendy Nisley, 5’6” guard; Annie Harner, 5’3” guard; Paige Soellner, 5’9” guard, forward and center; and Megan Serviss, 5’5” guard. The Fairfield girls ended the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 9-13 and 3-6 in league. This will be Chris Hewitt’s fourth year as head coach. Developing a winning culture is his top priority, he said.

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Centre Cougars

espite losing four starters to graduation, expectations remain high for the Lady Cougars. Senior Shelby Makovec, 5’5” point guard, returns, along with players with significant playing time, senior Brenna Shields, 5’6” guard/forward; and junior Allison Basore, 5’10” post. The Lady Cougars are coached by Alan Stahlecker, who has been at Centre for 10 years, five of them as head coach. Centre finished the 2013-14 season with a 19-4 record, taking the sub-state championship at Hartford and losing in the first round of Class 1A, Division 1 State tournament to Osborne, 41-50. “After three straight state tournament appearances, the expectations for the Centre girls basketball program are high. Losing four starters to graduation means that we will be lacking in experience early in the season and it may take a little time to hit our stride. I do believe that this team will be very competitive in the Wheat State League, with other teams in our area, and in Class 1A, Division 1,” Stahlecker said. “I believe that Shelby Makovec is one of the premier players in Class 1A and she will need to have another good season for us to reach our potential. She is a great scorer and passer on the offensive end and makes things happen for us. She is also a very good defensive player.

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Hanover Wildcats

oach Kim Lohse hopes to build on his team’s success from this past season, as the Wildcats return four starters from a 19-4 squad whose final loss came in sub-state to a Centralia team Hanover had defeated twice before.

They are: seniors Austin Diederich. 6’1” forward; Hunter Nicholson, 6’1” guard; Andrew Bruna, 6’0” guard; and Ethan Fritschi, 6’4” center. Lohse thinks confidence will be a key to success. “I would like to think we’ll be better than this past year. We need to shoot better and play with a lot more confidence. Three of our four losses last year were by four points or less,” Lohse said. Hanover plays in one of the toughest 1A-2A leagues in the state, and returning four starters and eight lettermen, should give the Wildcats a considerable advantage. Girls The Lady Wildcats lost one senior to graduation this past spring, leaving four juniors to advance to this season’s senior class: Ramona Weber, 5’11” center; Lindsey Bruna, 5’8” guard; Taylor Bruna, 5’9” guard; and Ashley Minge, 5’8” forward. The Hanover girls are coached by Ryan Doebele. They finished the 2013-14 season with a record of 13-11.

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Hoxie Indians

ike every year, head coach Shelly Hoyt has high expectations for her team. The Lady Indians have three starters coming back from a 26-0 team that won the Class 1A State championship this past season, their third in as many years. Carly Heim, Lexi Schamberger, and Terran Hoyt will anchor the team this season, and look to provide solid leadership to help bring up another group of underclassmen, and keep the ball rolling for the most dominant team in Class 1A.

Boys Coach Aaron Dardis has built Hoxie into one of the top Class 1A, Division I programs in the state. The Indians have been in the running the past several years for state titles. They finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 23-2 and were first in the Northwest Kansas League with nine wins and a loss. The test this season comes from the loss to graduation of all-state guard Kade Spresser, who averaged 18.2 points a game, and Chase Kennedy, a point guard who averaged 16.7 points. Returning for his senior year is Connor Katt, a guard who averaged almost 8 points a game. Others in the senior class are: Wade Niermeier, Josh Heim, Tyler Ewers and Tanner Smith. Hoxie also has a new head coach as assistant Jake Moss takes the reins.

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he Lady Longhorns started out the 2013-14 season on a high note with wins over Deerfield, 30-22, and Western Plains, 34-26 — and then came Smith Center, which turned into a 40-14 loss for Jetmore. The season ended for the Lady Longhorns with an overall record of 4-16 and 8 losses and no wins in league. Boys Hodgeman County lost four seniors to graduation this spring, following a season that delivered an overall record of 8-14 and a league post of 2-8, giving the Longhorns an eighthplace finish in the Southern Plains-Iroquois League. Members of this year’s senior class are: Tyler Morgan, 5’10”; Chipper Harms, 6’0”; Will Crabill, 6’1”, Cameron Bradshaw, 6’0” and Brennan Harms, 6’0”. Trent Bright is the head coach of the Longhorns.

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Page 43

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LaCrosse Leopards

or the past two seasons, the Leopards have stalled during the second round of sub-state — in 2012-13 to St. John, the eventual state champions, and in 2013-14 to Macksville. The LaCrosse boys finished those seasons with overall records of 8-14 and 13-9. The work toward improvement continues this year. “We expect to play hard, play smart and play together,” said Rob Holopirek, who is in his seventh year as LaCrosse head coach. He said the keys to success for his Leopards will be team defense, good rebounding and “taking care of the ball and finishing our shots.” This year’s team will include four seniors: Jack Garcia, 5’10” point guard; Andrew Jay, 6’0” guard; Sheldon Schmidt, 6’4” forward; and Chase Klozenbucher, 5’10” guard. Girls The Lady Leopards return five starters, seniors Alyssa Oborny, 5’5” guard, Ashley Depperschmidt, 5’7” guard, and Marissa Wagner, 5’5” guard; junior Morgan West, 5’10” forward; and sophomore Olivia Baus, 5’11” forward. “My goal for this year is to take the next step as far as the program is concerned,” said Laron Nordstedt, who is in his third year as head coach. “Expectations are very high with our entire team returning from last year. With the talent and experience we have returning along with a commitment to work hard and improve daily, I expect our team to win a lot of games and accomplish big things. “From a basketball standpoint, limiting turnovers will be essential for our success. Along with taking care of the basketball, defending and rebounding well.”

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Lakeside Knights

eteran coach Kyle Beisner says the keys to the Knights success this season will be to “value the basketball” and “determination in tough times.” Lakeside finished the 201314 season with a record of 10-11, including a loss in the sub-state semifinals. Returning starters are: senior guards Shayne Renken, Austin Gasper and Trystan Schlaefli. “We return some experience and a group that has had some success,” said Beisner, who is starting his 12th year as head coach. “We look to take a step forward and win some of the close ballgames we haven’t won the last couple years.” Girls

Travis Eberle replaces Judy Gasper this season as the head coach of the Lady Knights. Lakeside fields a team that lacks height — the tallest player on the 2013-14 roster was 5’9 — and is filled with younger players. Members of this year’s senior class are: Carridy Storer, Cheyenne Harding and RaeLynn Williams. The Lady Knights finished this past season with a 4-16 overall record and a Northern Plains League tally of 3-9.

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Page 44

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Macksville MankatoMustangs Rock Hills Grizzlies H

ead coach Jeff Kuckelman brings an impressive 24159 record into his thirteenth year as head coach of the Mustangs, posting a 16-8 record last year and a third place finish in arguably the toughest league in 1A. Despite a third place finish in league, the Mustangs advanced to the state playoffs before falling in the first round. Kaden Herman and Alan Ibarra returns for the Mustangs as the only 2 starters from a year before. Macksville will have to replace 3 starters they lost to graduation that accounted for almost all of their offense last year, and rebounding. “We will need some people to step up into scoring and rebounding roles, but also in leadership roles if we hope to have a good season. We will not have much size, so we’ll need to be very patient on offense, and make the most of every possession.” Macksville will have to contend in a, once again, very tough league with St. John, and Central Plains along with a Ness City team that has a lot of upside. Girls The Lady Mustangs finished their 2013-14 season with an overall record of 5-15 and a league record of 1-6.

he Grizzlies return three starters, including senior Joel Broeckelman, a 5’9” point guard, who was named to the all-league honorable mention team during the 2013-14 season. The others are Tucker Johanek, 6’3” junior who averages 10.2 points per game and 6 rebounds, and Logan Schwerman, 6’1” senior.

“We should be competitive with a decent nucleus returning,” said Matt Hesting, who is in his ninth season at Rock Hills. “We would like to be in top third of our Northern Plains League and earn a 1, 2 or 3 seed at sub-state. “We must develop some reliable bench strength. Our depth is questionable. Some younger kids will have to contribute.” Girls The Lady Grizzlies hope this is a season of improvement. The Rock Hills girls ended the 201314 season with an overall record of 2-19 and a Northern Plains League record of 1-12. Two seniors were lost to graduation, leaving six juniors to move into this year’s senior class. They are: Brooke Williams, Abby Nuirhead, Hunter Pennell, Hannah Daniels, Emily Reed and Lainie Eakins. Together, Daniels, Reed and Eakins averaged about 12 points their junior year.

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coring will be a major goal for the Lady Dogs this season as they work to replace three players to graduation who averaged in the double figures. Brad Roadhouse, who is in his fourth year as head coach, took his team to a first-place finish at Lincoln sub-state during the 201314 season and a third place finish at State. Returners are: starter Briley Pletcher, 5’9” forward; and Kendra Brummer, 5’8” forward; Jessica Engler, 5’7” guard; and Allison Grabast, 5’9” forward. “We have girls that have varsity experience,” Roadhouse said. [If we] continue to improve each week and game anything could be possible within the league.” In addition to scoring, Roadhouse said the Lady Dogs also need to find another ball handler. Boys Brandt Wolters, 6’1” forward, returns for his senior year after averaging 16.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the 2013-14 season. As a team, the Bulldogs finished the season with records of 15-7 overall and second in the Northern Plains League, behind eventual powerhouse Beloit St. John’s/Tipton. Wolters will be joined on the court by guards Parkes Wolters, 6’1” senior, who averaged 10.6 points per game; and Jake Tiernan, 5’10” junior, who contributed 7 points a game. Jamie Wolters, in his third year as head coach, said his team’s goals are to play for league and sub-state titles.

Quinter Bulldogs

he Bulldogs hope to build on their 2013-14 record of 12-11 with a sub-state semi-finals loss to eventual state runner-up Rural Vista-Hope. John Crist, in his 22nd year as head coach, returns three starters, seniors Tyler Waggoner, 5’10” guard; and Brett Crist, 6’2” forward; and sophomore Jonah Ruckman, 5’9” guard. They are joined by three letter winners, sophomores Lane Keith, 5’6” guard; Cody Bogert, 6’4” center; and junior Nicholas Wente, 6’1” forward. Senior Devontae Goldsby, 6’4” forward, transferred to Quinter in the spring. “We return a lot of experience with three starters and three letter winners,” Crist said. “Hopefully, the experience will help us and we can build on our accomplishments from last year.” He said keys to the Bulldogs’ success will be to stay healthy, play together and “develop some depth as the season moves on.” Girls First-year head coach Matt Havlas has four returning starters: juniors Katherine Simon, 5’9” forward, and Carma Wolf, 5’7” guard; senior Hailey Kerns, 5’8” forward; and sophomore Sarah Bird, 5’6” guard. Havlas said his players are quick and athletic; however, they will need experience to meet their full potential. Havlas is especially excited about the “strong freshman class” he has in line for this season.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Madison Bulldogs

Page 45

xperience abounds for Madison, which returns seven players with starting experience from last year’s 10-11 team. “We should battle for a share of the league title. We have a lot of experience coming back and a good core group of girls that want to win,” coach Cody Ziegler said. “For us to compete with the top teams in our area, we are going to have to make up for our lack of height by playing up tempo and executing on both ends of the floor.” Madison’s tallest returning starters- all standing just 5-7 - are senior Alexa Roush, junior Tori Melton and sophomore Emily Rayburn. Senior guards Paige Casey and Kortnie Harrison also return along with junior guards Allyson Bond Deanna Smith Accounting and Montana Thompson. 118 S. Third St • Madison, KS 620-437-2607

Boys Corporate * Partnerships The Bulldog boys return just one Individual Tax Returns starter — 6’1” senior Owen Reed from last year’s squad, though 6-3 senior center Gavin Beyer, a starter during his sophomore season - returns after missing a year due to injury. Coach Lance Tally will look to use his team’s size while working to improve on a 2-20 record. “If we are able to keep guys healthy and use our size to our advantage, we will do well,” he said. “We have a good group of seniors that we will count on for leadership as well as production and several guys who have seen floor time on the varsity level in a reserve capacity that will be stepping into starting roles.” 1-A STATE RUNNER UP FOOTBALL 1973

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Madison’s Kortnie Harrison drives toward the basket during a game this past season.

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Page 46

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he Indians look to improve on a 10-11 record from last season, with four starters returning. Satanta lost in the semifinals in sub-state to Deerfield to end their 201314 season. With the core of their team coming back, coach Tim Dusin expects to advance further into sub-state this season. “Our hope is to improve our play,” Dusin said. “We must create turnovers and shoot a better percentage from the field. We also have to improve our depth if we’re going to make a late run at the end of the season.” Girls The Lady Indians lost three seniors to graduation this past spring, leaving three seniors on the roster — 5’4” guard, Vanessa Caro; 5’5” guard/forward, Valerie Caro; and 5’4” forward/point Andrea Wagner. The remainder of the team consists of now juniors and sophomores. Satanta finished the 2013-14 season under head coach Janie Lutz with an overall record of 11-12 and a Hi-Plains League record of 3-5 for sixth place. “One of our strengths is having three experienced varsity players returning that are good leaders for our team,” said Lutz.

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Veteran coach Roger Perkins expects his younger players to step up and contribute this season. “We will be very inexperienced at the varsity level this coming year,” he said. “Hopefully we learn and get better through practice and games.” Perkins has an overall record of 16-46 during his three years at Southern Cloud. He also coached for 15 years before that, including six years at Ellsworth. The Warriors finished the 201314 season with a record of 8-15, including a win at sub-state, the school’s first in 14 years. Southern Cloud lost to St. John’s Tipton, the eventual champions. The Warriors have one returning starter and several others with playing time: seniors Trey Bellows, 6’3” guard/forward; and Justin Pelkey and Logan Fowler, both 5’7” guards; and juniors Connor Graham, 6’3” center/forward; Kyle Fowler, 6’1” forward; and Austin Pelkey, 5’8” guard. Girls

Steadfast head coach Tyler Williams continues to work towards a winning culture at Southern Cloud as he enters his third year with the Lady Warriors. The Lady Warriors return 4 starters, including allleague honorable mention point guard, Rayna Schmidt. “We’re bringing back the majority of our players that made our team successful a year ago,” Williams said. “We won 9 games a year ago starting 2 freshmen, so we expect them to grow more into their roles. Improving on our inexperience from a year ago, and playing like a veteran team are keys to our success in 20142015.” This year’s team has the potential to be the best for Williams in his 3 seasons coaching the Lady Warriors.

he Tigers are loaded with seniors, including four starters from this past season’s 18-5 team, which made it to the finals of sub-state. Tom Stephens, a 26-year coaching veteran who has a 36-13 record during his two years as head coach at Stockton, said his team needs to be prepared every night, stay healthy and execute as a team. He considers two of his players — seniors Jaden Williams, 6’5” center, and Justin Wiltfong, 6’4” center/ forward — among the best in northwest Kansas. Others returning seniors are Christian Hamel, 5’11” guard; Kale Kuhlmann, 5’9” guard; Andrew Bellerive, 6’0” forward; Casey Deutscher, 5’10” guard; and Cayden Boys The Indians return two starters — Conyac, 6’0” guard/forward.

he Lady Indians return five starters from a 2013-14 team that ended the season with a record of 4-16. Susan Dinkel, head coach for four years, expects to see an improved team this year. “I believe we will be better than we have been the last several years,” she said. “We will have a bigger team, which means more competition for positions, which means improvement. I expect us to grow quite a bit, and push one another to become better. “The keys to success for us are simply staying positive with one another, keeping negativity out. We made huge strides last season, so I firmly believe we will be more successful this year because of that.” Returning starters are: seniors Kyla Bandel, 5’6” point guard and Valerie Wurm, 5’5 guard; and juniors Journey Lee, 5’6” guard; Kylie Sherlock, 5’9” post; and Emily Elfers, 5’7” forward. Cade Bracelin, 6’0” senior, and Carl Fabre, 5’10” junior — from this past 9-12 season. That puts St. Francis in the midst of a youth movement, said Jeff Beims, who is in his seventh year as head coach. “I think that will be a good thing, though, as we have several good young players who seem eager to learn and get better,” he said. “There are some who will be ‘baptized by fire,’ but I fully expect them to come through for us.” Other returning letter winners are sophomores Taylor Rogers, Jeremiah Neitzel and Quinton Cravens.

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he final rankings for the 2013-14 season from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association ranked the Thunder Ridge girls as the third-place team in Class 1A, Division I, behind Hoxie and Valley Heights. Under head coach Darren Grauerholz, the Lady Longhorns finished the season with an overall record of 19-2 and a league record of 9-0. Talented junior forward Kirsten Burger, who gained attention as a freshman when she was named an all-league player, returns to pace Thunder Ridge in the new season. Boys Thunder Ridge lost six seniors to graduation; however, several juniors — now seniors — return, including Dylan Bretton, who averaged 9.1 points per game and 2.8 rebounds during the 2013-14 season and Trent Rietzke, who averaged 4.5 points per game and 2.3 rebounds. The Kansas Basketball Coaches Association ranked the Thunder Ridge girls third in their class and the boys weren’t far behind. They were ranked fourth in Class 1A, Division I. The Longhorns finished the season with a 13-8 overall record and 9-4 in league under Coach John Boden, who starts his third year.

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he Victoria boys’ basketball team has a new coach this year. Dylan Dronberger, in his first year as an t was a good year for the assistant last year, moves up to Lady Mustangs. They finished the 2013-14 sea- become head coach. The Knights (12-11) return two son with a 24-2 record, substarters in seniors Bryan Dome state champions and State runand Noah Dreiling. Dome, the ner-up to Hoxie. team’s point guard, averaged 12.3 Four starters return from points, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals that team: seniors Sidney last season. Dreiling, a forward, Blackburn, 5’9” forward, and averaged a double-double with Cassidy Coggins, 5’6” guard; 12.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per and juniors Jo Roepke, 5’11” game. guard, and Taylor Doner, 5’6” “My philosophy is to get out guard. and go, get out and run,” “Our expectations for the Dronberger said. “We’re going to season are to make another be aggressive, both offensively and title run at league, sub-state, defensively.” Dronbeger said he soaked in a and state,” said Jenny lot last season under coach Stu Yungeberg, who is in her secMoeckel, who will concentrate on ond year as head coach. administrative duties this year at “Our keys to success are Victoria. playing great team defense, “I am excited,” Dronberger said. rebounding, and taking care of “Last year was great, learning the ball.” under coach Moeckel.” Boys

It also was a good year for the Mustangs, who finished the 2013-14 season with a 22-3 record and a third-place finish at State. Two starters return: seniors Elija Smith, 6’3” guard, and Gage Woodyard, 6’4” forward. Coach Adam Schreiner, in his first season as head coach, plans to focus on team unity, hard work — and strong showings at sub-state and beyond. “This year’s team has a chance to build on the foundation that was set last year. There is talent in place if the hard work matches that talent; the team has a chance for success. We have some young players who will be stepping into some major minutes and have a chance to showcase their talents,” he said.

Girls Coach Annie Dinkel said her Victoria girls’ basketball team lost about 90 percent of its points from last year’s state tournament team in Class 1A Division I. All-state guard Kristin Huser signed with Fort Hays State University and forward Audra Nowak inked with Colby Community College. “Last year, it was just easy to get it to one of those girls, and know that they were going to score for us,” Dinkel said. This year, Dinkel only has 11 players out, including three returning starters from last year’s 14-10 squad in senior guard Brooke Pfannenstiel, junior guard Kiley Schmidtberger and sophomore center Sara Schippers. “This year, I think it’s going to be challenging,” Dinkel said. “I think the girls know that.”

Page 48

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he Jackrabbits were 5-16 overall during the 2013-14 season and 2-6 in the Northwest Kansas League under coach Troy Haberman.

Girls The Lady Jackrabbits posted an overall record of 3-17 during the 2013-14 season and 1-5 in league.

MARK McCOY/Kansas Hardwood

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Wallace County Wildcats

achael Kuhlman has been a factor in the success of the Lady Wildcats since she stepped on the floor her freshman year. The 5’9” forward, a member of the 2013-14 Class 1A - Division II All-State team as a freshman, sophomore and junior, returns this season for her senior year. It has been a great run for Wallace County and this is expected to be another standout for fans. The Lady Wildcats finished the 2011-12 season with a win-loss record of 18-10 and the championship title in their class and division. A team coach Landon Steele described at the time as “young and inexperienced,” finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 16-6 and a Northwest Kansas League record of 4-2. Losses were to Hoxie, always a powerhouse, and Dighton, teams that beat out third-place Sharon Springs for the top two places in league.

Joining Kuhlman are seniors Rylea Rains, 5’9” forward, and Sarah Dinkel, 5’7” guard. Boys

Coach Larry O’Connor has one goal in mind for the Wildcats this year: state championship. After posting an outstanding 23-2 record, the Wildcats lost in the state championship by 2 points to St. John’s/Beloit. “My expectations for the season? Very high. I’m looking for a state championship,” said O’Connor. “Development of our good young players over the season will be a major key to our success. They had a great summer.” Luke Schemm, Nate Klinge, and Ivan Montes will lead the Wildcats this year as the 3 remaining starters from their 2nd place state finish

last year.

TEAMMATE DEFENSE

MARK McCOY/Kansas Hardwood

Rachel Ritter, left, picks up Hailee Spresser’s rebound as Golden Plains wins the first round of the 1A Division II State tournament in Hays.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 49

Class 1A

Otis-Bison’s Kyle Patrick Winning one for the coach

Story by Diane Gasper-O’Brien and Photo by Everett Royer

ou’ve probably heard all kinds of stories about standout female athletes who grew up with older brothers and attribute their success to playing with older, stronger athletes. There’s a talented male athlete at a small school in central Kansas who has the same story — only with roles reversed. Kyle Patrick from Class 1A Otis-Bison grew up playing basketball with three older sisters, who all earned all-state honors in high school, then went on to become college All-Americans. Now a 6’6” senior, youngest brother Kyle is ready to try to accomplish some of the same things his older sisters did, and something they didn’t — win a state championship in basketball. “My number one goal is to win a state championship with my dad,” Kyle said of Erin Patrick, whose overall coaching record is 196-84, including seven successful years as the girls’ volleyball and basketball coach at Hutchinson-Central Christian, where they won one state title in volleyball but finished second two straight years in basketball. Kyle saw just how tough it is even making it to state basketball in Class 1A, where until four years ago teams had to advance through two postseason tournaments instead of just one like all the other larger classes. All the while, Kyle watched and learned and absorbed basketball the Patrick way. “He was there to develop skills and help us out in practice,” Coach Patrick said. “I was able to watch them and copy them,” Kyle said of sisters Megan, Laura and Jamie. “After they would burn me on something, I would try to use that move in my game.” By the time Kyle reached high school, he had become quite adept at emulating his sisters’ moves. Always shorter as a youngster than his older sisters — who all range between 5’10” and 6’0” — Kyle grew 8 inches in two years, from a 5’5”

sixth-grader to a 6’1” eighth-grader. And he kept on growing. He made the varsity as a freshman at Central Christian and averaged 15.3 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game. As a sophomore, he averaged almost 10 points and 7.3 rebounds despite coming off an ACL injury that summer that required surgery. That was enough to help the Cougars advance to state in Class 1A, Division II, where they lost a

5.4 assists his junior year, and OtisBison finished 14-9 overall. Four of those losses were to Central Prairie League opponents St. John-Hudson and Claflin-Central Plains, two of the top teams in the state in Class 2A. St. John went on to win its second straight state title, going undefeated in claiming the 2014 crown in 2A, and all four of Central Plains’ losses were to St. John, including in the sub-state title game.

Otis-Bison goes for the goal during a game with Ness City.

close first-round game to eventual state champ Axtell. Kyle said he attended “every single one” of his sisters’ games for as long as he can remember, and while watching his dad on the sidelines, dreamed of what it would be like to have him as a coach of his high school team someday. All the stars aligned for that to happen last year, when Erin Patrick took a job as a math teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Otis-Bison for the 2013-14 school year. Playing for another Cougar team, Kyle averaged 21.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and

One of the toughest losses for OtisBison, and the Patricks in their first year at their new school, was in the sub-state championship game to Central Christian, where Kyle scored a gamehigh 28 points but his new team lost to his former teammates. This year, Otis-Bison has moved up to Division I in 1A, and the Cougars have their sights set on Emporia, the site of the Division I state tournament. “We were young and inconsistent last year,” Coach Patrick said of his 2013-14 See PATRICK, Page 59

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Class 1A

Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton Size doesn’t stop Tipton from reaching its goals

here isn’t a single speck of red on their uniforms. And they are identified by a different bird than the cardinal with which they grew up. But the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Tipton Catholic High School — one of the smallest schools in the state — have bought into the idea of traveling 30 miles for practice and suiting up in a different colored uniforms different from those of their own school. After all, combining with another Catholic school in Mitchell County made some really talented boys’ and girls’ squads last year. And the Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton boys’ team, wearing the blue and white of the St. John’s Blujays, are entering the 201415 season sporting the title that is the envy of any team — defending state champions. The Blujays, in their fourth year playing as a cooperative with the two schools, went on a tear and lost just one game en route to qualifying for the Class 1A, Division II state tournament in Hays. Coincidentally, the Blujay girls’ team made it to state, too, but lost in the first round. It had been 32 years since St. John’s boys had made it to state, and the Blujays had never won a semifinal game to get into the title game. Tipton’s boys had never advanced to state period. So a lot of fans of the two towns were just glad to get to the championship game against the run-and-gun Wildcats from Sharon Springs-Wallace County. That wasn’t the goal of the Blujay players and coaches, though. The Blujays withstood a ferocious comeback rally by the Wildcats, and St. John’s-Tipton survived a 60-58 victory to hoist the first-place trophy surrounded by giddy fans at midcourt of Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum. “This group of kids fully bought in to the whole system,” said Lance Bergmann, in his sixth year as the Blujays’ head

By Diane O’Brien Gasper

task at hand,” and that they did as their coach. only loss was an overtime defeat on the Bergmann, a deputy for the Mitchell County Sheriff ’s Department, is a gradu- road at Plainville, which went on to finate of St. John’s, but the closest he got to ish second at the Class 2A state tourney. Because Tipton is too low on numbers a state basketball tournament was listento field athletic teams — last year’s ing to his dad, Donnie, tell of the 1975 enrollment was 20 and this year’s is 22 and ‘76 teams which he played on, and — school decided to enter a cooperative both placed third at the season finale. Meshing two rival schools together can agreement with St. John’s for football and basketball beginning with the 2010be a challenge, and there were some, Bergmann admitted. But he gives his assistant coach — Gery Hake, also the principal at Tipton High — a lot of credit for helping be a liaison between the two schools. Everett Royer/KSportsImages.com “He’s Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton plays Sharon Springs for a State title. been around 11 school year. the (Tipton) school for a long time,” “It allows (St. John’s) to be more comBergmann said of Hake, a 1978 graduate petitive,” Hake said of the co-op, “and it of Tipton. “He knows the kids, and the allows us to have a team. If you don’t townspeople.” have a team, you don’t have a school.” The Blujays actually were on track to That’s why Hake, despite being a lifequalify for state the year before but lost long Cardinal himself, supported the on a last-second shot in the sub-state idea of wearing the colors of one team finals to White City, which went on to rather than switching off and finish third at state. “We’re the Blujays,” said Hake, who Bergmann and Hake took their team drives a bus with basketball players — to Hays to watch the state tournament, and that made them want to get there all boys and girls — to Beloit every afternoon for practice. “Bottom line, our kids the more. get to play.” “Everybody talks about getting to “Sometimes I don’t get home until Hays,” Bergmann said, “so we brought it 7:30 or 8,” he said, “but it’s worth it for up at the beginning of the season. Then the kids to get play.” I told them, ‘We don’t talk about Hays again until we go.’ ” See TIPTON, Page 59 The Blujays’ theme was “focus on the

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Page 51

Courtesy Photo

The Hoxie girls are on a 73-game winning streak, including three State championships. Pictured is the 2013-14 title team.

Class 1A

Two in a row for Hoxie Successful program is all about balance T

here have been plenty of mention of the names Hoyt and Heim from this northwestern Kansas school the past few years. But Coach Shelly Hoyt and her team would prefer people think of another name beginning with ‘H’ — Hoxie — when talking about the success of their school’s girls’ basketball program. While a lot of teams, especially in small schools, rely on individual standouts, Hoyt said Hoxie High School’s success stems from the balance of her teams.

By Diane Gasper O’Brien

After all, it takes more than one or two good players to win 82 percent of their games, something the Indians have accomplished in Hoyt’s 13 years at the helm. She credits hard work and “buying into the program,” but Hoyt — 263-38 at Hoxie — also has a lot to do with the Indians’ nine trips to state and playing in four consecutive state championship games. Oh, and the Hoxie girls haven’t lost a game since early in the 2011-12 season and will enter this season with a

73-game winning streak. After losing the 2011 Class 1A, Division I finale to Olpe, Hoyt coached Hoxie to back-to-back-to-back state championships the next three years, finishing the last two seasons undefeated. Credit for those numbers go to everyone on the team and their work throughout the entire year, including summer workouts, Hoyt said. “We’ve had some outstanding young ladies who obviously played at a higher See HOXIE, Page 58

Page 52

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

S. Barber looks to overcome loss

By RANDY GONZALES Kansas Hardwood

fter an undefeated season ended abruptly at last year’s sub-state Class 1A, Division II title game, the Kiowa-South Barber boys’ basketball team appeared to be in good shape for the 2014-15 season, what with three returning starters — including a pair of all-state selections. However, one of those honorable mention picks by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, Peyton Reeves, moved with his family and is at Pike Valley now. Reeves, a 6’0” post, averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Chieftains (21-1) last season. With Reeves gone, 6’6” senior center Bryce Roberts will need to take on more of the scoring load this season. “He will have a much different role this season, with Peyton gone,” said Chieftain coach Jeff Lantz. “They were the post tandem ... He had a really good summer, good

off season. He has to learn to be selfish; he’s very unselfish.” The other starter back is senior point guard Dylan Allison, the Chieftains’ other KBCA pick. Last year, Allison averaged 10.5 points, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Lantz is counting on Allison to run the offense and score when necessary, and not have a shoot-first mentality with Reeves gone. “I want him to make plays when necessary,” Lantz said. “I still want him to have the mentality of get the team going, get everybody involved.” There will be players on the team taking on bigger roles this year, Lantz said.

“Last year, those kids that came off the bench did some very important things to enable us to have that success,” Lantz said. “Now, they’re going to be expected to do it all the time, rather than just in moments.” Coming up short in last year’s sub-state title game isn’t something to dwell on durSee CLASS 1A, Page 60

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enior guard Shelby Luerman returns to pace the Lady Blue Jays following the loss of their top four scorers to graduation. At the top of that list was Canaan Endicott, an AllState honorable mention selection who averaged 13.8 points a game and shot 34 percent from 3-point range. Luerman improved her game, going from 4.1 points per contest her sophomore year to 7.2 points in the 2013-14 season. She also contributed an average of 3.7 rebounds a game. The Ashland girls finished this past season with an 11-11 record, including a post-season loss to Fowler. Karrie Kay is head coach. Boys The Blue Jays lost their front court players of Grant Meininger, 6’4” center/forward; and Alex Ornelas, 6’0” forward, and their 23 points per game average to graduation. That leaves head coach Kit Walker with four seniors when Ashland opens its 2014-15 season Dec. 5 against Spearville. They are: guards Saul Quintana, Corey McCann and John Spare and guard/ forward A.J. Welch.

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Chase Kats

hen you’re 3-18, there’s only one way to look, and that’s up for Mitch Light and his Chase boys’ team. The Kats have five returning startt’s just been getting bet- ers, and — despite their ter for the Blujays, but 2013-14 record — Light it’s hard to see how thinks his team is capable of they’re going to top the 2013- a winning record after the 14 season. Kats gained a bit of momenSt. John’s finished the seatum after they settled into son with a 24-1 overall record their roles, playing with more — its only loss being to confidence as the season went Plainville, 59-56 — and a on. 11-0 effort in league play. “I expect us to be much The Blujays also carried improved,” Light said. I think home a State title, beating the experience gained this Wallace County in the cham- year will pay off. Many of our pionship game 60-58. losses came late, and we had Lance Bergmann is head trouble finding a way to win. coach. I think they started to gain more confidence as the seaNote to Readers — See Page son wore on. I feel we are 50 for more on the Blujays. capable of having a winning season. Girls “The keys to our success The Lady Blujays are a young next year will hinge on our team this season. ability to make outside shots. Lost to graduation this past We struggled at times scorspring were team captains/leading, so if we can solve that ers Kellan Niewald, who averproblem our hustle and aged 11 points per game and quickness will pay off.” 7.8 rebounds, and Hannah Eilert, who averaged 2.9 points Girls and 4.4 rebounds. The Lady Kats lost two Returning players are all seniors this past spring to gradjuniors and sophomores. uation following a season that Under head coach Keith ended with Chase posting a Kresin, St. John’s ended its 7-15 overall record and 3 wins 2013-14 season with an overall and 8 losses in league under record of 16-8 and 9-2 in head coach Brent Clark. league.

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Golden Plains Bulldogs

he Lady Bulldogs finished the 2013-14 season with an impressive 22-4 record and as state runner-up in Class 1A, Division II. Veteran coach Parker Christensen, in his 21st season here, expects his team to be competitive again this year. Returning starters are: juniors Kami Miller, 5’6” guard; and Kynndra Rush, 5’7” forward; and the top four players from the bench, junior Maddy Walz, 5’11” center; senior Rachsel Ritter, 5’7” guard; and sophomores Gabi Schiltz, 5’8” guard; and Morgan Ritter, 5’7” forward. “We had a good summer learning how to win without two allstate players from last year’s team,” Christensen said. “We will have only one girl with any size, but we will have very good team speed, better than last season.” Boys The boys’ basketball team will need to learn a new system this season under Bulldog coach Travis Smith. Golden Plains lost several key players off last year’s 11-11 squad. “We have the ability to be a competitive team if we will learn how to play as a team and realize everyone on the floor is important,” Smith said. The Bulldogs have a pair of big players inside in 6-foot-4 junior twins Koi and Kade Wessel. They combined for 10 points and 9 rebounds per game last season. Golden Plains also will count on the ballhandling of senior guard Braden Korte. Also being counted on are senior guard Domonic Luna and junior guard Cole Ziegelmeier.

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Dighton Hornets

he Lady Hornets finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 19-6 and a Northwest Kansas League effort of 7-1, which placed Dighton behind Hoxie in the standings. Four seniors were lost to graduation. This season’s crop of returning players include Kiara Budd, 5’4” junior guard; sophomores Jordan Speer, 5’10” and Sara Cramer, 5’4”. Amy Felker is head coach of the Lady Hornets. “I expect us to play tough defense, work together as a team and improve everyday. “Our keys to success will be to play big and play hard every night.” Boys Dighton lost five of its most experienced players to graduation so it will be interesting to see how the Hornets regroup. The squad finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 13-9 and a league record of 5-2 under coach Dean Kramer. This came during a time when the Hornets were plagued by off-season injuries. Keeping team members healthy was a major goal this past season.

Frankfort Wildcats

he Wildcats are young and inexperienced with a new head coach, Nick Anderson. However, Anderson expects the inexperienced part to change as the 2014-15 season progresses. “Our seniors will need to be good leaders for our younger players,” he said. “We also play in one of the toughest 1A/2A leagues in the state so every night will be a challenge. Our kids will need to stay the course and fight through some early growing pains. If they can do this, I like our chances of playing well later in the year.” Senior Jacob Studer, 6’3” center/forward, is Frankfort’s lone returning starter. He averaged 5.5 points a game and 4.4 rebounds. Other seniors with experience are: Alex Roeder, 6’0” guard; and Jake Rose, 5’10” guard. The Wildcats finished this past season with records of 4-17 overall and 2-7 in league. Girls The Lady Wildcats are coached by Bruce Gunter. They finished the 2013-14 season with a 5-16 record.

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Logan Trojans

ustin Patee enters his second year as head coach of the Lady Trojans looking to improve on a 10-12 record. “Maintaining work ethic, and leadership will be keys to our success this season,” said Patee. Seniors Kadee Braun, Kodi Van Laeys, and Courtney Schnieder return as starters, as well as junior Makayla Hilbum. The core group of upperclassmen should provide leadership, and help underclassmen evolve into solid role players, adding depth to the Trojan bench. Boys The Trojans graduated five seniors this past spring, leaving three juniors, now seniors themselves, to step into leadership roles. They are: Derrick James, Reuben Harmon and Aaron Tien. Under head coach Paul Prewo, Logan posted a record of 9-13 for the 2013-14 season and 5-4 in league play.

Natoma Tigers

xperience and speed are the strengths of this year’s Tigers. “My expectations for this season are high for this team,” said Nolan Smith, who is in her first year as Natoma’s head coach. “We will be a competitive ball club night in and night out. Hope to be playing our best ball at the end of the season.” The Tigers ended the 2013-14 season with a 12-11 record, including a second place finish at sub-state, when Natoma lost 59-44 to eventual state champion Beloit St. John’s/Tipton. Returning starter is Triton Frye, 5’8” senior. Players to watch include seniors Teyvian Frye and Jacob Chambray; juniors Dean Masters, Joey Raat and Bryce Ginther; and sophomore Seth Hachmeister. “Our keys to success this season will definitely rely on how well we play defense,” Smith said. “If we play great defense, we have a chance to be very successful. Our greatest offense will be our defense.” Girls Junior guard Regan Casey, who averaged 14.9 points a game her sophomore year is expected to pace Troy Ostmeyer’s Lady Tigers.

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ogan Kats, a former Norton standout who is in his third year of coaching — all at Northern Valley — has high hopes for his Lady Huskies. He returns four starters: senior Kortney Cunningham, 6’0’ center; and juniors Brooke Baird, 5’6” guard; Sarah Baird, 5’9” center; and Shayna Vincent, 5’9” forward. Brooke Baird was the team’s leading scorer her freshmen year with 10.2 points per game. “I expect us to compete for the WKLL regular reason and tournament championship. Also, I expect us to be a strong contender at sub-state,” Kats said. “Limiting turnovers and rebounding will be huge this year. We have got to cut down on turnovers to be at our full potential. With such a tall team, we have got to do a better job at rebounding every game.” The Lady Huskies finished the 2013-14 season 10-12.

Boys

Despite taking a sub .500 record into sub-state the

Huskies rolled to a state playoff berth in 2013-2014 after defeating Triplains-Brewster in their sub-state championship. Head coach Chuck Fessenden will have 3 returning starters, all seniors, to anchor his team, and build from an impressive finish in 2013-2014. “We should compete for the league championship,” said Fessenden. “We should also make a strong showing at sub-state. We will not be real tall, therefore rebounding will be a big key for us.”

oach Erin Patrick went 14-9 in his first year with the Cougars, and his team finished one loss shy of the state playoffs. The Cougars have high expectations coming into the 2014-15 season with three starters returning, and solid size at the guard/forward position with Kyle Patrick at 6’6” and Hayden Maier at 6’3”. “Our expectations are very high,” coach Erin Patrick said. “We believe we will have a team that can compete very well in Class 1A Division 1 and be a top 5 team. We have one of the best returning 1A players in the state. We play in the tough CPL with St. John, Central Plains and Macksville.”

Note to Readers: Read story on Kyle Patrick on Page 49.

Rural Vista Heat

alco went 2-15 this past season under first year head coach Ethan

his partnership of Hope and White City finished second in the Wheat State League behind Solomon for the 2013-14 season. Since then, the Heat lost 10 players to graduation, leaving coach Joel Kahnt to rebuild his team following a successful 18-4 season, including 6-1 in league. Returning are seniors Quenton Adkins, 5’11” guard, and Lloyd Worrell, 5’10” guard who averaged 2.5 points per game for Rural Vista this past season.

Girls The Palco girls finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 9-10 and a Western Kansas Liberty League record of 3-7. Justin Pierce is head coach.

Girls Coach Joe Ross lost three players to graduation, but returns a solid crew, including seniors Alexis Campuzano, 5’8”, who averaged 14.8 points per game and 11.1 rebounds; Morgan Ash, 5’8”, who averaged 8.6 points and 2.8 rebounds; Alexis Kahnt, 5’11”, who averaged 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds; and Abby Ink, 5’8”, who averaged 4 points and 5 rebounds. Rural Vista finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 12-9 and fourth in league with a record of 5-4.

Kosjer. Kosjer’s goal for his team this year is to get to a .500 record. “My expectations for this team is a .500 record,” he said. “We need to improve and grow as a team.” Kosjer has three returning starters, including Dustin Hamel, an all-league honorable mention junior guard. When asked what the keys to success would be for his team, Kosjer talked about overall consistency on defense, at the free throw line, and controlling possessions.

Girls The Lady Cougars finished the 2013-14 season under head coach Richard Schmidt with an overall record of 8-13.

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SylvanLucas Mustangs

new era begins this season for SylvanLucas as Jude Stecklein will not be roaming the sidelines for the Mustangs for the first time since the ‘84-’85 season. In 29 years at the helm, Stecklein accumulated over 400 victories and one state title. Stuart Keltner — son of longtime Hays High coach Rick Keltner — enters his first season with the Mustangs. Sylvan-Lucas also loses a lot of experience on the court from last season’s 19-5 squad. Seniors Ty Heenan and Collin Herold are the lone returning starters from a year ago. Heenan, a 5’10”, 145lbs. guard will lead the backcourt and Herold, a 6’2”, 200-lbs. forward also will contribute. Girls The Lady Mustangs will look to take another leap forward in Jason Seehafer’s third year as the head coach. Sylvan-Lucas posted a 7-14 record in Seehafer’s first year and improved to 16-7 last season finishing as Sub-State runner up. The Lady Mustangs return three starters from a year ago but lose a considerable amount of height after the graduation of 6’2” Michaela Merchant and 5’9” Tasha Bland.

Tescott Trojans

escott has faced a numbers issue the past few seasons and the 2014-15 season will be no different. However fifth year head coach Terry King thinks the Lady Trojans have adjusted. “We are becoming accustomed to playing five or six girls,” said King. “The girls are starting to figure out how to play all four quarters. We went into several games last year without a bench. It takes special players that not only can stay on the court physically for four quarters but also mentally adjust as well.” Junior guards Kaitlynn King, 5’9”, and Kyra Bieker, 5’6”, return to the starting lineup. Senior post players Taylor Koch 5’9”, Loren Herbel 5’5”, and sophomore guard Hailee Pitman, 5’7”, will fill the void of four graduated players including All-League guard Shiland Fuller.

King said keys to success will be to improve on defense, stay out of foul trouble and shortening the game as much as possible.

Boys In head coach Tom Ehlers’ second season the Tescott Trojans will look to improve on their 3-17 record in 2013-14. The Trojans lose three players from last year including AllLeague players Joey Huerta and Academics • Arts • Athletics Kyle Comstock. Tescott will look Sylvan-Lucas Unified High School to seniors Joel McCosh and Garrett Bowling, juniors Byron provides a complete educational Peterson, Cole Perry and Devon experience and a safe, friendly environment for your child! Lee, and sophomore Casey (785) 526-7175 • Sylvan Grove, Kansas Brown to step up.

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Triplains/ Brewster Titans

he Lady Titans are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, posting a 17-5 record with their final loss coming in their sub-state championship to Golden Plains. Triplains-Brewster has a solid core coming back from last year’s team, but will need to find a replacement at point guard if they hope to build off of last season. “We should be competitive,” coach Kent Gfeller said. “Having someone step into the point guard role, and having some of the young players step on the bench are key.” Returning are: seniors Shoyna Rogge, 5’9 forward, who averages 14.8 points a game and 9.3 rebounds; Dora Roylier, 6’0” forward; and Alicia Barrie, 5’5” guard; and junior Kelly Lamb, 6’0” center. Boys The Titans return three sophomore starters from a young team that finished as a runnerup in sub-state. “Though we were successful, I hope we can mature and develop to the point that we can improve our record and make it further at the end of the year,” coach Michael Collett said. “Last year we had to find our identity, and though we became a well balanced offensive team, defense is our main strength.” Returning starters are: sophomores Ryan Gfeller, 5’9” guard; Coleton Rogge, 5’11” guard; and Taylor Stramel, 6’2” forward. This is Collett’s second year as head coach at TriplainsBrewster.

Weskan Coyotes

his is the first season as head coach for Nolan Cox and he should be able to develop a Coyotes team focused on his goals. Weskan finished the 201314 season with an overall record of 15-6. However, out of 13 boys on last season’s roster, five were seniors lost to graduation. That leaves Cox with two senior players: Thomas Rehfeld, 6’0” center who averaged 2.6 points a game and 3.7 rebounds; and Grant Frasier, 5’5” guard. Remaining team members are sophomores and freshmen. Girls The Lady Coyotes lost their top scorer, Kelsey Hale, who averaged 12.5 points per game, to graduation, but they return two of their key players — seniors Shaelynn Compton, who averaged 5.2 points per game and two rebounds, and Robyn See, who averaged 10.9 points per game and 2.1 rebounds. Weskan has a new head coach this season, Marc Cowles, who moved over from the boys’ team. His goal will be for the Lady Coyotes to improve on an overall record of 10-13 and 3-7 in the Western Kansas Liberty League during the 2013-14 season.

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Wheatland Grinnell Thunderhawks

rendan Ptacek starts his first year as head coach of the Thunderhawk boys with a solid foundation of players. The ‘Hawks return all five starters from the past season’s 8-14 team: seniors Dominic Zimmerman, 5’10” guard; Nathan Goetz, 5’11” guard; and Thomas Heier, 6’2” forward; and juniors Clayton Schwarz, 5’10” point guard; and Kaleb Holaday, 6’2” center. “With the number of starters we have returning, the potential to have a good year is there,” Ptacek said. “We still have many things to work on before we get there.” In order to be successful, the ‘Hawks will have to play good defense and rebound the ball and also learn how to win, Ptacek said. Girls Four seniors were lost to graduation from the 2013-14 roster. Under coach Tyler Flavin, the Lady Thunderhawks compiled an overall record of 14-8. In Western Kansas Liberty League play, the Wheatland-Grinnell girls finished this past season with a 9-2 record behind first place Golden Plains.

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Wilson Dragons

he Lady Dragons of Wilson ended the 201314 season with a 17-6 record, a sub-state championship and a first round game in the State tournament, being eliminated by Rexford-Golden Plains. Although Wilson lost key players Shania Steinike, Dreamer Roberson and Janell Ptacek to graduation, the biggest loss for the Lady Dragons this season will be the temporary hiatus of head coach Rod Seehafer, who was diagnosed with cancer during the summer. “I told the girls that it wouldn’t be fair to them for me to coach them this year,” Seehafer said. “I’ll have a lot of doctor’s appointments and things while recovering. “Leland Francis agreed to take the head coaching position this season for me. I haven’t abandoned the team and I plan to return next season, once we are sure this cancer is cleared-up.” Seehafer’s surgery this summer was a success and so far, no cancer has been found in his subsequent checkups. In his 25 years as head coach of the Lady Dragon basketball team, Seehafer has led them to the state tournament four times, with a third-place win and a fourth place finish. Francis is a well-known coach and umpire in softball circles and plans to lean on Seehafer for advice during the season. Returning as assistant coach will be Mary Kratky, who has over three decades as a coach beneath her belt. On the hardwood, the Lady Dragons will return starter Adrianna Florke, a 6’ senior post who can attack the basket beneath the net and grab the rebounds. McKenzie Thrasher, a 5’6” senior point guard and defensive specialist also returns as does Izzy Kriley another quick and competent ballhandler. The 3-ball shooter for the team, 5’5” junior Jena Shelton will also return as will 5’3” junior Ambria Roberson, who is a great pressplayer. Left-handed shooter Ashlyn Weinhold, a scrappy 5’5” junior also saw a lot of playing time last season and has been working on her game. The Lady Dragons will also have some talented new blood on the court with freshmen Katelynn Zelenka and Riley Dietz.

Bieberle

Page 57

Continued from Page 30 against Lincoln, on a gridiron covered in snow by a freak storm, Bieberle intercepted a pass, leaped over the fallen Leopard and returned the ball for 71 yards. Bieberle also excels in tennis, having played in the tough 3A-2A-1A State tournament in all three years of his high school career — placing third in doubles with Ben Kirmer in 2011; fourth in singles action in 2012 and fourth in doubles with team mate Michael Ryan in 2013. He teaches the annual Central Plains tennis camp, with the assistance of Ryan and former Lady Oilers tennis star Karli Beck. He credits Rolfs for his growth on the basketball court. “At the end of the day, he’s a wonderful friend,” Bieberle said. “But in basketball, he’s all business. He is very competitive — that is all there is to it.” Like most elite athletes, Bieberle is also a top student, carrying a 3.8 grade point average. He plans to major in construction science after high school. He hasn’t decided on a college, keeping his options open to try and play a sport. Although Bieberle and the Oilers are firm believers in Rolf ’s mantra of taking “one-game-at-a-time” in the back of their collective minds, they have another mantra for the 2014 basketball season — beat the Tigers.

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

The Lady Indians of Hoxie experience a few tense moments on their way to a second State title this past season.

Hoxie

Courtesy Photo

youngest of three siblings who have all been part of Hoxie’s successful run. Heim, regarded as one of the best level and gone on to be successful in overall female athletes in the area who college,” Hoyt said. won three state That list includes two of medals in track last her three oldest daughters, "What’s important is the final outcome. They spring, is back for Shelby and Jacie, who both her senior year after played in college, as did their have one goal in mind, for our program to have averaging 14.7 oldest sister Carissa, a Utica success. I think that says a lot about the character points, 6.3 High graduate. rebounds and 6.5 “But it’s about our proof our kids." assists as a junior gram,” Hoyt said. “No one Shelly Hoyt last year. But Hoyt keeps score, so to speak.” Hoxie girls’ coach said Heim would be While balance brings home the first to tell you championships, it can be a none of those numdetriment when it comes to bers matter. It’s the W’s that count. individual honors for athletes who oth- ognition because they don’t have the “They never ask, ‘How many points individual numbers. But they don’t erwise might be able to put up big did I have?’” Hoyt said. “What’s imporcare, because they have a great team.” numbers. tant is the final outcome. They have Part of another Hoxie squad that Hoyt admits that bothers her from one goal in mind, for our program to will be gunning for a fourth straight time to time, knowing her players are have success. I think that says a lot state crown are the youngest Hoyt sisas talented as some others who earn ter, junior Terran, and Caryl Heim, the about the character of our kids.” more recognition when it comes to allContinued from Page 51

area and all-state teams. “A lot of individuals in the area have gotten a lot of publicity as individuals,” Hoyt said. “Our kids don’t get that rec-

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Patrick

Continued from Page 49

team that started the season with just one other player besides Kyle who had much varsity experience.” “But this year, we’re pretty excited bringing back four lettermen, and six who will play a lot,” he added. Kyle credits all those practices with his sisters’ teams early in life and playing up a grade level once he started participating with competitive boys’ squads as a big part of his success. Since the girls usually were taller, young Kyle got in a lot of ball-handling skills as a guard. That came in handy last year when oftentimes he was called upon

Wade Continued from Page 29 Wildcats in August. Tigers coach Clint Kinnamon teaches his teams to share the ball and Wade is no exception to that rule. Wade has a good eye for the open teammate and makes plenty of last-second passes to an open player beneath the rim, somehow getting the ball past the defenders, as he is almost always double-teamed within the paint. “I’ve been working really hard and have gained some weight,” Wade said about the upcoming 2014-15 season. Wade’s primary basketball influence growing up was basketball legend Larry Bird, of the Boston Celtics. Wade grew up watching on-line videos of Bird’s games, then would go onto the driveway to practice and try to emulate him. His opponents would say he has succeeded. Watching Wade in action, one can recognize the ghost of Bird’s form in Wades’ playing. Wade’s philosophy of basketball is simple. “I like to play hard as a team and win,” he said.

to play point guard for the inexperienced Cougars. Plus, Kyle added, “fundamentals have always been my dad’s number one thing. Dad would always set up two goals at practices, the normal one for the girls and a shorter one for me.” Now, the entire Patrick family — including oldest brother 6-5 Kevin and mom Sheryl, the teams’ stats keeper — look up to the youngest member of the family. And the older siblings are now the ones showing up to watch Kyle’s games. While he hopes that continues into the future, Kyle and his dad both say they aren’t looking too far ahead. Their time

Page 59

together is now. “He can shoot, he can pass, and he’s a good defender,” Coach Patrick said of Kyle, who even is called upon at times to play point guard. “And he’d like to play ball somewhere (in college). But right now, we’re just focusing on this year. This is my last year to coach my son.” And the Patricks hope that year is something special. “Those are great memories, going to state, winning state with my girls,” Coach Patrick said of Central Christian’s Class 1A, Division II state volleyball title in 2010. “We’d like to get to Emporia this year, then see what happens.”

Tipton Continued from Page 50 One of last year’s Blujay starters was Caleb Brummer, one of the first Tipton players to play for the combined team his entire high school career and was a leader on and off the court, Bergmann said. “Caleb really turned the corner (for the cooperative),” Bergmann said. “That group that fully

bought in the ‘one team’ concept, that had a lot to do with Caleb.” Brummer graduated last spring, as did six other seniors off the state tournament roster, but the Blujays still return seven varsity players, four who saw a lot of time on the court during the team’s championship run. There also are several others waiting in the wings who

played varsity during the season but didn’t make the 12-man state tournament roster. “We aren’t quite as deep talent-wise and experiencewise,” said Bergmann, who added that won’t stop the Blujays from trying to defend their title.

FLOOR SHUFFLE

Lincoln’s Maggie Foulke comes up with the basketball in the game against the Lady Bearcats of Ellsworth at the AmosMorris Classic tournament in Lincoln.

Page 60

Girls Look for good things this season from the Lady Longhorns. Holcomb returns four experienced players, including three starters: Taylor Deniston, 5’4” guard; Jordan Jarnagin, 5’11” post/guard; Emily Ratliff, 5’2” guard; and Molly Harrington, 5’8” post/guard. They are coached by Nathan Novack, who is in his first year as head coach at Holcomb. He was head boys’ coach at Ulysses for two years prior to his new job. “As a team, our girls are going to be very competitive,” Novack said. “We will have great balance, with a strong inside and outside game. I believe our girls can adapt to any style of play. Most importantly, we will have a good nucleus of leadership.”

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Conner Vancleave, 6’6” sophomore forward. They averaged about 35 points a game between them during the 2013-14 season. Chad Novack, who has coached the Longhorns for 11 years, says his team’s greatest strengths are length, athleticism, experience and love of the game. As with any team, however, there are areas of weakness. “We lost some great senior leadership last season, but I feel our kids are really eager to prove themselves this season,” Novack said. Lost was Heath Tucker, who received several first team honors and averaged 15.9 points a game and 5.4 rebounds. The Longhorns also will be without Scott Schmidt, 6’3” junior, for five games due to injury.

Fre e

Continued from Page 13

Gameplan?

ion

Longhorns

New

ing the regular season, but it will be remembered in postseason. “That’s something that should stick with us as a motivator when that part of the year comes around,” Lantz said. *** Sharon Springs-Wallace County (23-3) came up just short in last year’s state title game, losing by two points to Beloit/ St. John’s-Tipton. The Wildcats return 6’1” senior Nate Klinge and 6’3” junior Luke Schemm. Klinge, who averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds, poured in 29 points in the state title game. Schemm averaged 9 points and 11 rebounds. Hutchinson-Central Christian (16-8), which lost in the first round at state, has back last year’s leading scorer in senior guard Ben Krehbiel, who averaged 15 points per game. The Cougars also have 6-7 senior Noah Starkey. Attica (17-7) upset rival South Barber in overtime in the sub-state title game to make state. The Bulldogs return leading scorer in junior Devon Newberry at 20 points per game. Also back is senior Daymon Howell, who averaged 12 points per game.

Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Time for a

Nat

Continued from Page 52

Class 1A

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

University of Kansas

Page 61

Forget transfers, new players have the talent

Stories by Matt Denning

but Ellis U’s reputareturns as the tion as one Junior Perry Ellis flew under the radar a bit last most polished of college season because of the overwhelming dominance and player for KU. basketball’s true blue Cliff blood programs has physical presence Joel Embiid brought to the team, Alexander will kept them in position complement to win the Big 12 but Ellis returns as the most polished player for KU. the front court once again, despite with Ellis, as a losing two players top-3 recruit, within the first player and could end again because of another solid recruitpicks of the NBA up being the most physical player in ing class. The Jayhawks bring in three Draft, and having two guards transfer. the paint in the Big 12 this season. 5-star recruits and one 4-star at point Last season the Jayhawks lost Joel Jamari Taylor, Landen Lucas, and Embiid, the best center in the country, guard, who should help remedy their Hunter Mickelson should fill out the urgent need at the position after going into the NCAA Tournament. rest of the front court for the Nadiir Tharpe, and Conner Frankamp That injury ended up hurting KU’s Jayhawks. Watch out for Mickelson, transferred after this past season. shot at a deep run in the playoffs, and who had to sit out last season because Junior Perry Ellis flew under the radar the Jayhawks bowed out before the of NCAA transfer rules. He’s a true a bit last season because of the overSweet 16. whelming dominance, and physical Kansas comes into the season as presence Embiid brought to the team, odds-on favorite to win the league See KANSAS, Page 62

Don’t expect Shockers to step back

ichita State had one of the best seasons in college basketball history, going 35-0 before entering the NCAA Tournament. Following a Final 4 appearance from the season before, and a perfect record, many people — myself included — thought the Shockers were snubbed when they received the last No. 1 Seed in the tournament and the toughest region in the bracket. Wichita State ended up losing to runner-up, Kentucky, in one of the best games of the tournament. Despite losing one All-American, Cleanthony Early, to the draft, coach Gregg Marshall and the Shockers don’t

look like they’re going to take a step back. Wichita State enters this season ranked 11th in the country and the favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference again. Coach Marshall does a fantastic job with transfer recruits, and his front court will depend on it this year. Darius Carter enters his senior year after transferring from a junior college, and settling into his role with the Shockers last year. Tevin Glass and Bush Wamukota will both have to step up immediately in their first year at Wichita State. Glass is a high energy player who can produce a lot of second chance points, and Wamukota is a 7’0” center who will pri-

marily be used to fill up the paint on defense. Freshman Shaq Morris, and Rauno Nurger will also be available off the bench for Wichita State, as well as junior Evan Wessel. Wichita State’s back court is without a doubt what defines the team. Ron Baker, Fred VanVleet, and Tekele Cotton run one of the most polished, fluid back court’s in the country. The leadership, and systematic control Wichita State’s backcourt possesses will help their frontcourt out immensely. VanVleet is the unquestionable leader of the team. He’s a good defender at See SHOCKERS, Page 62

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

Kansas State

Wildcats could be conference contenders this season

By Matt Denning

fter a predicted slow start this past season, the Wildcats looked as if they were in serious trouble just before conference play started. However, despite the loss of senior leader Rodney McGruder and the best point guard in the league in Angle Rodriguez to transfer, not having what looked to be a solid defensive or offensive presence in the paint, and having to start Will Spradling at point, the Wildcats’ turned their season around on a dime. The catalyst was a non-conference game against Gonzaga that featured freshman Marcus Foster hammering a dunk down on David Stockton on a fast break. The energy from that game, and that individual play catapulted K-State into a legitimate team a couple weeks before going into Big 12 play with a win over the 15th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs. Kansas State’s front court will be led by senior Thomas Gipson, who has

Kansas

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center that Bill Self likes a lot, and is a great shot blocker. KU’s backcourt is in a state of flux again this year due to transfers, and players leaving for the draft. The Jayhawks lost starting point guard Tharpe following a season where many thought he underachieved. Regardless of Tharpe’s transfer, the Jayhawks have a group of point guards that would have probably churned out his replacement if he was on the team of not. Frank Mason averaged about 16 minutes a game last year as a freshman. Incoming freshman Devonte’ Graham also has a shot at starting as a true freshman. Despite losing two top shooting guards/small forwards over the last two years as freshman, the Jayhawks come into the 2014-15

improved every year since he’s been at Kansas State, cutting a significant amount of weight, and becoming quicker without giving up any of his noticeable strength. Brandon Bolden could end up being the biggest presence for Kansas State in the paint. Bolden is listed just a half inch under 7’0”. He sat out last year after transferring from Georgetown. D.J. Johnson is the last true post player the Wildcats have, but will more than likely miss the 2014-15 season due to a recent foot injury. Kansas State’s back court will feature Marcus Foster, a sophomore who was named to the preseason All-Big 12 team. Foster is the youngest player from Kansas State to be named first team AllBig 12 in the preseason. Foster can shoot from anywhere, and has unassuming leaping skills for his size. Even with the hype and expectations for Marcus Foster coming into this season, the main attraction could end up being Justin Edwards,

a transfer from Maine who Shane Southwell claimed has a 45-inch vertical. Shortly after the season Marcus Foster was asked what his predictions were for this season, and he said there was a good chance he won’t be the leading scorer, referring to Edwards. At point guard, Nigel Johnson and Jevon Thomas return for their sophomore seasons. Thomas got more playing time last season due to Johnson’s inconsistent play, but with a year under his belt, Johnson has a lot of upside this season. Most preseason rankings have Kansas State hovering around a 35 spot, but the upside the Wildcats have with their sophomore class, and two transfers that look to make a significant impact immediately, Kansas State has the potential to jump into the top-25 early in the year and be in the thick of the Big 12 to the point of being in contention for a conference championship.

Shockers season stacked at both positions. Wayne Selden and Brannen Greene return for their sophomore year, along with incoming freshmen Kelly Oubre, and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. Selden was projected as an NBA lottery pick out of high school, but due to the overwhelming amount of talent between Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid, it was difficult for him to showcase his talent last year. Oubre is coming into his freshman year as a consensus top-10 recruit that chose KU over Louisville and Florida. Mykkailiuk is only 17, and will more than likely take a little time to transition, but if he can do that smoothly and efficiently he could end up being one of the best players in the conference. He’s already being touted as the best foreign born player since Ricky

Rubio.

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point, and has a high basketball IQ matched with above average quickness at his position. The Shocker’s achilles last year was lack of depth at point, forcing VanVleet to basically play every minute he wasn’t gassed or in foul trouble. This year he will have redshirt freshman, Ria’n Holland and Corey Henderson to come off the bench for him. Baker, and Cotton give Wichita State a serious advantage beyond the arc. Cotton, known mostly for his defense, flew under the radar as an offensive threat last year, but you cannot leave him alone on the perimeter. The Shockers will more than likely not finish with another undefeated season, but they are easily the favorite to win the MVC, and make a deep push into the NCAA Tournament.

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Winter Kickoff

December 6-7, 2014 in Wichita/Newton, KS

3rd & 4th Grade Shootout

February 28-29, 2015 in Wichita/Newton, KS

Winter Finale

March 28-29, 2015 in Wichita/Newton, KS

1A-2A Championships

June 5-7, 2015 in Maize/Wichita, KS

Summer Kickoff

June 12-14, 2015 in Wichita Metro

High School Showcase June 23-24, 2015 in Wichita, KS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Academy Sports + Outdoorsâ&#x20AC;? MAYB National Championships

July 30-Aug. 2, 2015 Boys in Wichita Metro and Girls in OKC, OK Metro

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Kansas Hardwood, Volume 3

At Briggs Auto Lane in Manhattan.