WEST HANCOCK EAGLES
STATE SEASON A look back at the West Hancock Eagles’ third trip to the Iowa State Class 1A Basketball Tournament
LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK
C2 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Britt News-Tribune
Eagles punch ticket for third trip to state tournament in three years BRITT — The West Hancock basketball team punched its third-straight ticket to the Iowa State Class 1A Basketball Tournament in three years. The Eagles lost to Grand View’s Thunder in the opening round. But West Hancock senior Dylan Eckels said this year’s season was still a special one. “It’s tough taking the loss like we did, but I thought this year alone a lot of people didn’t expect us to make state, and that alone is a great accomplishment,” Eckels said. “It’s been a fun four years. You couldn’t ask for anything better than a third-place finish at state and two qualifiers.” To make it back to Wells Fargo Arena this year, West Hancock had to go through Manson-Northwest Webster, North Union, Newell-Fonda and West Fork.
West Hancock 78 Manson-Northwest Webster 56 BRITT — Dylan Eckels’ and Seth Weiland’s all-around nights helped lead West Hancock to a 78-56 win West Hancock seniors, from left, Glen Smith, Chandler LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK over Manson-Northwest Webster in Schuver, Seth Weiland, Ben Eisenman (front, middle), Garrett Garrett Fosdick guards a Manson-Northwest Webster player during the Feb. 16 the Eagles’ district tournament opener Fosdick and Dylan Eckels celebrate while holding up the state district opener in Britt. Thursday. qualifying banner. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE SMITH
Great job on a Great season! Central Financial Group 208 N. Main St, Kanawha 641-762-3551 120 Main Ave. N, Britt, IA 641-843-4483 Josh Eisenman
Congrats on an Outstanding Season!
Hair’s to you on a great season!
The
COBBLER SHOPPE Skechers Shoes Shoe & Zipper Repair
21 Main Ave. North, Britt, IA 50423
(641) 843-3512
63 Main Ave. S., Britt 641-843-3570
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | C3
Britt News-Tribune
Eckels finished with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals while Weiland added 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks. It was Weiland’s 11th double-double of the season. Ben Eisenman, MaCoy Yeakel and Garrett Fosdick each had eight points for the Eagles and Chase Eisenman added seven. Also for West Hancock, Glen Smith scored four and Gavin Becker had three to round out the scoring. For the Eagle’s defense, the second half was a strong point. Clay Freimuth, the Cougars’ leading scorer coming in, poured in 18 points in the opening half. West Hancock’s defense stepped up in the second half to hold him to just two points over the final 16 minutes.
West Hancock 54 North Union 36 BRITT — Following a tight first half, West Hancock held North Union to 12 second-half points on the way to a 54-36 win in a Class 1A district semifinal. “Defensively, that’s the name of the game right now and I think our kids are locked,” West Hancock coach Brian Peterson said. Seth Weiland and Dylan
Eckles each finished with double-doubles on the night for the Eagles. Weiland had 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks while Eckels had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Additionally for the Eagles, Ben Eisenman had seven points and eight assists.
West Hancock 69 Newell-Fonda 65 HUMBOLDT — Experience goes a long way in high school sports, and what the West Hancock boys basketball team has done and where its been over the past two-plus seasons has given them a whole lot of it. The Eagles needed every ounce of that experience, plus a little hard work on defense, as it rallied from behind to topple Newell-Fonda 69-65 and punch its ticket to a third straight substate final. “That helped a lot,” said Eckels, who has played a large role with the Eagles each of the past three seasons. “The past couple years other people led us and it’s good that it’s our time to shine.” Three times during the district final in Humboldt West Hancock trailed by 10 points. It all came down to getting
LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK
Fans congratulate the West Hancock players after their substate win Feb. 25 in Clarion. stops to stop the bleeding. While the Eagles were making those stops on defense, it was their transition game that got them rolling. With 3:28 to play, Eckels
You are the Best!
Congrats on a great season!
Congratulations to the West Hancock basketball team on a terrific season and a great run at state!
SWENSON’S HARDWARE 7 Main Ave. N, Britt, IA
641-843-3894
Britt 843- 4411 • Woden 926-5333 www.fsb-britt.com
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | C4
Britt News-Tribune
ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Gavin Becker keeps tabs on a Newell-Fonda player on Feb. 23. drove down the court and knifed to the basket to finally put the Eagles out in front. West Hancock withstood a couple shots by Newell-Fonda to tie the game and hung on late, thanks to the free throw shooting of Ben Eisenman, to seal the win. “We wore them down,” Peterson said. “That’s not a slight against them but we seem to do that a lot to teams that jump on us early. They (the Mustangs) have no fear and they’re fun to watch.” Seth Weiland, who’s 3-point shooting and a couple of dunks in the second
helped keep the Eagles in it, finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks. Eckels added 18 points of his own ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE and grabbed eight rebounds The student section cheers on the Eagles during the district final game Feb. 23 in Humboldt. and Eisenman finished with 16 points and nine assists. rebuilding to do. didn’t really do that the last In the fourth quarter, the Weiland and Ben Eisenman On Saturday, Feb. 25, West couple of years.” West Hancock 53 West Hancock seniors, who combined to score 20 points West Hancock trailed 26- played important roles over to help the Eagles pull away. Hancock dominated the final West Fork 44 half of play and pulled away 22 at the intermission, but the past two state appearThe trio was a combined CLARION — The West late for a 53-44 win which the defense was the differ- ances, took over at the of- 3 for 6 from the floor – inHancock boys basketball qualified the Eagles for a ence in the second half. fensive end. cluding a pair of 3-pointers team has made appearances third straight appearance The Eagles’ second-half “It was amazing,” Eagles by Eckels – and 12 for 12 from in the last two state tourna- in the Class 1A tournament zone forced West Fork into a forward Dylan Eckels said. the free-throw line. ments. field. one-dimensional offense as “It was our time to shine.” Eckels and Eisenman comWith a one-point lead en- bined for 19 points apiece On paper, it looked like a “We have won games with it severely limited the Warthird straight trip was a long our defense,” Eagles coach hawks’ ability to attack the tering the final period, West to lead the Eagles. Weiland shot as the Eagles had some Brian Peterson said. “We basket. Hancock seniors Eckels, Seth added eight.
Congrats WH BasketBall!!
We are proud of your accomplishments! 600 1st St. NW, Britt 641-843-3333
Congratsona
GreatSeason! EWING FUNERAL HOME & MONUMENT COMPANY www.ewingfh.com
Super Season 2017 Boys Basketball TITANIUM LUNCHBOX 62 Main Ave. N, Britt
641-843-4600
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | C5
Britt News-Tribune
WEST HANCOCK
BOYS BASKETBALL 2016-17 team record: 19-7-0
You’re a
terrific team
& you’ve made
West Hancock proud! Britt ChamBer TEAM ROSTER Player Year Height 2 Joe Smith FR 6-03 3 MaCoy Yeakel JR 5-10 4 Chase Eisenman JR 5-06 5 Gavin Becker SO 5-11 10 Brayden Leerar FR 6-00 13 Seth Weiland SR 6-07 21 Lucas Weiland SO 5-10 22 Dylan Eckels SR 6-00 23 Ben Eisenman SR 5-08 30 Glen Smith SR 6-00 33 Chandler Schuver SR 6-04 44 Garrett Fosdick SR 6-05
Find the latest news online at brittnews tribune.com
2197 James Ave, Britt IA 641-843-4132
CommerCe
Congrats on another great season!
Congrats W West Hancock on your Outstanding From Coach Jay Season! MILLER & SONS GOLF CARS
of
& your State Farm team in Britt
C6 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Britt News-Tribune
BEHIND THE SCENES
Sanger is a fan of the game ALLISON ULLMANN
allison.ullmann@globegazette.com
She’s at every basketball game, but she’s rarely out on the court. “Who comes to mind when you hear the words ‘West Hancock of Britt’ and ‘Sanger?’ You may think of Bob, West Hancock’s hall-offame coach; you may think of Kevin, Rick, Jeff or Mark, standout athletes at West Hancock High School and Central College,” said a nomination letter for the “Fan of the Game” award. “You probably wouldn’t think of Linda, though, because she intentionally stays out of the limelight, preferring instead to work behind-the-scenes.” That changed on Monday, March 6, as Linda Sanger stood in the middle of the Wells Fargo LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK Arena to receive the “Fan of Linda Sanger, left, smiles as she receives the “Fan of the Game” ball the Game” ball. The award was prior to West Hancock’s opening round game at the IHSAA Class 1A Boys handed out before the start of Basketball Tournament. West Hancock’s opening state
Way to go Eagles!
tournament game. Chants of “Linda, Linda, Linda,” could be heard from the student section as Sanger just smiled and shook her head. “It was so exciting and so humbling,” she said of the award. “It brought tears to my eyes.” Still, Sanger said she isn’t used to being in the limelight. She formats and prints the rosters for the home football and basketball games. She also helps run the concession stand throughout the year. “I just cook the hamburger and pop the popcorn. It’s all low-key things,” she said. Sanger is also in charge of coordinating and ordering all of the team shirts for each sport. That includes the extra shirts needed as teams make it to the playoffs or state tournaments. Sanger happened to be in Arizona this year when the Eagles
From our team to yours....
Congratulations! Britt 641-843-3813 Leland 641-567-3321 Thompson 641-584-2271• Rake 641-566-3351
Congratulations WH Boys basketball! Kelly Real Estate Steve, Paul or DeAnna Kelly
45 Main Ave. So., Britt, Iowa 50423 • 641-843-4102
Free wi-fi
Open 7 Days a week • Monday - Sunday 441 Main Ave. North, Britt, IA. • 641-843-3002
Great Season!
beat the West Fork Warhawks for a spot in the Class 1A Boys Basketball Tournament. She knew that the community would still need shirts made to wear down to Des Moines. “Friday night at 11 p.m. I texted JoAnn (Burgardt) at Gifts Sew Sweet with what the basketball kids had come up with a design,” Sanger said. Over 400 shirts were again made this year for the state tournament. The work may be time-consuming, but Sanger wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love working behind-thescenes,” she said. Especially as it allows her to just be a part of all of the high school teams. “Linda has colleagues and former colleagues, and hundreds and hundreds of students and former students, all of whom appreciate what she has done and what she continues to do,” the nomination letter read.
Congratulations WH Basketball! Britt-Woden Insurance 183 Main Avenue North Britt, Iowa 50423 641-843-4411
Great on! Seas
BRITT EAGLE AUTO BODY, INC. 1030 Diagonal Street • Britt, Iowa• 641-843-3831• Roger Flatten, Owner
1040 Diagonal Street • 1-800-753-2687
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | C7
Britt News-Tribune
Three West Hancock boys make all-conference teams With a third-place finish in the Top of Iowa Conference West Division and its third straight trip to the Class 1A state tournament, West Hancock had three players earn all-conference honors as the teams were announced by the conference recently. Seniors Dylan Eckels and Seth Weiland were each selected to the first team while Ben Eisenman was an honorable mention selection. Eisenman was at 10.7 points per game prior to the state tournament with 125 assists and 45 steals. Weiland and Eckels were also named to the Iowa Newspaper Association allstate basketball teams. Weiland was a second-team pick while Eckels made the third team. Weiland, a 6-foot-7 forward, ave ra ge d 12.3 points per game for the Eagles. Eckels He added 61 3-pointers, 279 rebounds (10.7 per game). The stat that stands out the most for Weiland, though, is his blocked shots as he finished with 129, which is the best in the state regardless of class. Eckels finished the season
LISA GROUETTE, FOR THE NEWS TRIBUNE
KEVIN E. SCHMIDT PHOTOS, FOR THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Seth Weiland looks to block a shot against a Newman Catholic player during a game earlier this season.
Weiland
B. Eisenman
as the Eagles’ leading scorer with 17.5 per game and made 50 3-pointers. The senior added 189 rebounds, 109 assists and 62 steals. TIC WEST DIVISION ALL-CONFERENCE First team James Betz, GHV, so.
Nick Joynt, GHV, jr. Sam Snyder, Forest City, jr. Dylan Eckels, West Hancock, sr. Seth Weiland, West Hancock, sr. Charlie Dugger, Lake Mills, sr. T.J. Schnurr, Garrigan, so. Second team Johnny O’Connor, GHV, sr. Ryan Meyers, GHV, jr. Chris Jermeland, Forest City, jr. Ryan Theel, Forest City, jr. Cade Winkel, Garrigan, fr. Luke Groe, Lake Mills, sr. Trent Pedersen, North Union, sr. Ryan Smith, Eagle Grove, jr. Honorable mention Holden Hutcheson, GHV, sr. Avery Busta, Forest City, so. Ben Eisenman, West Hancock, sr. Ryan Kenyon, Garrigan, sr. Trevor Hanna, Lake Mills, jr. Nathan Espejo, Eagle Grove, jr. Leo Nelms, Belmond-Klemme, sr. Austin Haisman, North Iowa, sr. TIC West Player of the Year – James Betz, GHV TIC West Coach of the Year – Joe Albertson, GHV
Congratulations on a Sweet Season!
Above: West Hancock’s Dylan Eckels puts a shot against Grand View Christian during the IHSAA Class 1A state basketball tournament game on Monday, March 6, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Left: West Hancock’s Ben Eisenman drives inside the lane against Grand View Christian during the IHSAA Class 1A State Basketball tournament game on March 6, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
In Step Flooring would like to congratulate the West Hancock basketball team on an amazing season!
Gifts Sew Sweet
Carpet - Ceramic - Wood - Laminate - Vinyl
204 N. Main St., Kanawha, IA
Print Shop
(641) 843-3080 • 1 Main Ave. S. • Britt, Iowa
641-762-3688 Stepping on Comfort
Mon.-Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-12 Anytime by Appointment Kevin & Shery Steenblock
C8 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Britt News-Tribune
STATE TOURNAMENT SCENES
KEVIN E. SCHMIDT, FOR THE NEWS TRIBUNE
West Hancock’s MaCoy Yeakel drives inside against Grand View Christian SUBMITTED PHOTO during the IHSAA Class 1A State Coach Brian Peterson talks to the starting lineup before the start of the Eagles’ Basketball tournament game at the Wells opening-round game at the state tournament in Des Moines. Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Seth Weiland jumps up to knock the ball to a teammate at the start of the opening round game in Des Moines.
Farmers Trust & Savings Bank would like to
Congratulate
the West Hancock Eagles for a Wonderful Season! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!
Buffalo Center 562-2696 • Lakota 886-2242 Britt 843-4455 • Lake Mills 592-2660 • Bricelyn 507-653-4100
202 Main Ave N., Britt IA • 641-843-4455 • www.ftsbbank.com
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | C9
Britt News-Tribune
Cheering on the Eagles ALLISON ULLMANN
allison.ullmann@globegazette. com
For some, this was their third year traveling down to Des Moines for the IHSAA Class 1A State Basketball tournament. For others, it was their first time. “I was nervous. I was used to cheering in a small gym,” West Hancock freshman Tiffany Sherwood said. Senior cheerleader Alyssa Tegtmeyer knew what to expect as it was the third year in row she traveled to the Wells Fargo Arena. “It’s a bigger gym, so you have to be louder,” she said. Tegtmeyer said the added pressure of the post-season gets the crowd involved even more than usual. That was especially evident, she said, during the Eagles’ substate win in Clarion this year. “The fans were really pumped,” she said. “It’s a big deal when the crowd is excited. It makes cheering a lot more fun.” Fellow senior Natalie Wood said their job becomes more difficult when the Eagles are down, like they were in the opening round of the state tournament. “We try to do more cheers to get the crowd engaged,”
she said. Some cheers are geared toward the student section, Wood said, while others are meant to get the community on their feet. “We try to keep them going. And give them more hope,” she said. Her cheering days may be over at West Hancock, but she was happy to make it back down to Des Moines. “It’s a good place to end it,” Wood said. “It’s pretty cool to go down there for our senior year.” For the rest of the cheerleaders, their cheering days are just beginning. “It’s cool being down there my freshman year,” Sherwood said. “I know what to look forward to and what the Eagles can actually accomplish.”
Super Season!
We’re proud of you! The Flower Cart (641) 843-3269 581 9th Avenue SW , Britt
ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Mackenzie Wood cheers during the Eagles’ game ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE against the Grand View Seniors Natalie Wood, left, and Alyssa Tegtmeyer Christian Thunder in Des lead the crowd in a cheer at the Wells Fargo Arena. Moines.
LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK
Tiffany Sherwood cheers during the state basketball tournament.
West Hancock cheerleaders boost Mackenzie Wood up as the Eagle players are introduced at the start of the state tournament game against the Thunder.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Way to Go
West Hancock! North Iowa Lumber & Design BRITT LUMBER
183 183 2st 1STAve. AvE.NE, NE, Britt BRITT◆ •641-843-3825 641-843-3825
Awesome Season! Great job Eagles! TRULSON AUTO PARTS & SERVICE 678 3rd Avenue SE, Britt, Iowa
641-843-3865
72 Main Ave. S., Britt, IA • 641‐843‐3840
Congrats Eagles! Kanawha EquipmEnt 203 S. Main Street, Kanawha, IA
641-762-8261
Greeaatson! S Fenchel, Doster & Buck Attorneys at Law 95 Main Ave. S. • Britt, IA 641-843-3873
C10 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Britt News-Tribune
STATE TOURNAMENT SCENES
ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE
West Hancock fans cheer on the Eagles during the state tournament in Des Moines.
Good run
Britt
at State! food center
8 2nd St., N.W., Britt • 641-843-4429
Congratulations on a Season, well done!
DIEMER REALTY
78 Main Avenue North, Britt • 641-843-4000
LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK
Chase Eisenman looks to go up for a shot against Grand View Christian.
Congratulations to the 2017 WH Boys Basketball team Britt Auto Service & Towing 641-843-9073 & 641-843-8027 170 2nd St. NE, Britt
n Great SeaEasogles! WH Siegrist & Jones PC ATTORNEYS AT LAW 94 Main Ave. N., Britt
641-843-4451 • 800-943-4451
Great job this season!
McNeese Tire 725 Hwy. 18 Britt, Iowa 1 1/2 Miles West of Britt
641-843-3536
Mon.-Fri. 8 AM-5:00 PM • Sat. by appt.
Congratulations on an Outstanding Season! 465 3rd Ave SW, Britt Iowa 50423 PH 641-843-3868 “America’s Best Radial Arm and Horizontal Beam Saws”
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | C11
Britt News-Tribune
STATE TOURNAMENT SCENES
LISA CARLSON, WEST HANCOCK YEARBOOK
Statisticians for the West Hancock boys basketball team.
Seth Weiland, middle, reacts to the Eagles’ loss in the opening round of the Class 1A Basketball Tournament.
ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Coach Brian Peterson gives a hug to senior Ben Eisenman during the Eagles’ loss to Grand View during the opening round of the state tournament.
ALLISON ULLMANN, THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Congratulations WH Eagles on a great season!
Law Offices Of earL w. HiLL Earl W. Hill & Kelsey A. Beenken, Attorneys 35 Main Ave S. Britt, Iowa
641-843-4491
Super Season Eagles!
Thanks for the Great Season
Great Job WH Basketball!
Family Eye Care Center Donald W. Furman, O.D. Trichelle M. Jackson, O.D.
J&D HOB NOB 79 Main Ave. N., Britt, IA.
641-843-3542
90 Main Ave. N Britt, lA (641) 843-3841
45 State Street Garner, lA 139 East K Street, Forest City (641) 923-3737 (641) 585-3590
http://www.familyeyecc.com/
Sents Seed & Service 2345 Iowa Ave. Britt, IA • 515-689-0503
C12 | Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Britt News-Tribune
STATE TOURNAMENT SCENES
ALLISON ULLMANN PHOTOS, THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Members of the student section cheer on the Eagles during the state tournament.
PRITCHARD AUTO
Congrats on a fantastic season!
Bonnie’s Treasures
93 Main Ave. N, Britt
641-843-4519
congratulates the West Hancock Eagles on being such a DRIVING force this season!
Congratulations West Hancock Boys Basketball on a Fantastic Season! From all your fans at
First Citizens Bank 220 North Main St • Kanawha • 641-762-3222 www.firstcitizensnb.com
PrItcHArd Auto
980 Hwy 18 • Britt, IA
800-356-3015
Glen Smith, left, and Seth Weiland hold up the state participation trophy.
Us On Facebook
Member FDIC