The Fan • 2022

TEAM PREVIEWS

Webster City Boys Basketball

Webster City Girls Basketball 3

Webster City Wrestling

South Hamilton Boys Basketball 7

South Hamilton Girls Basketball..................... 9

South Hamilton Wrestling 11

PHOTOS

Webster City Boys Basketball

Webster City Girls Basketball 3, 8

Webster City Wrestling

Webster City Cheerleading 6

South Hamilton Boys Basketball

South Hamilton Girls Basketball 9

South Hamilton Wrestling 11

INDEX

WEBSTER CITY’S Jaime Grossoehme (above) and Liv Kasch (below) make plays last season. (DFJ file photos by Troy Banning)

WEBSTER CITY BOYS BASKETBALL

RATCLIFF ERA READY TO TIP OFF

MEET THE LYNX

ROSTER Seniors

Jaime Grossoehme 6-4, G Jayce Neuroth 5-9, G Ty McKinney 6-0, G Dylan Rossing .......... 5-10, G Wyatt Bingham ....... 6-1, G/F

Juniors

Braden Doering .......... 6-2, G Kaleb White .............. 5-11, G Trevyn Lyons 5-9, G Jack Larson 6-3, F Briar Klaver 6-4, G/F Brandon Lahr 6-2, C/F

Schedule

Former player takes over program he once led to state tourney

By DANA BECKER sports@freemanjournal.net

Brett Ratcliff made a familiar climb up the coaching ladder in his own back yard.

Seventeen years after completing a standout career at Webster City, Ratcliff begins his first season as head coach of the Lynx this winter. He was tabbed to replace Marty McKinney, who won 190 games and three North Central Conference titles during his 14-year tenure.

Ratcliff, who led Webster City to the state basketball tournament in 2004 and ‘05, inherits an experienced roster with three returning starters and a handful of other players who saw the floor a season ago.

A Briar Cliff University graduate, Ratcliff coached the Webster City eighth-grade team in 2018. Two years later, he joined McKinney’s staff as a volunteer assistant before becoming a full-time assistant and junior varsity coach.

“It's very exciting taking over a program that I once played for,” Ratcliff said. “If you have to choose a place to land your first head coaching position, I am extremely blessed to be able to coach a program that I have so much passion for.”

That prior experience will help him, as he has a strong repertoire with several of his players.

Dec. 6 — South Central Calhoun; 13 — at St. Edmond; 16 — Clarion-Goldfield/ Dows; 20 — HamptonDumont/CAL.

Jan. 2 — at Greene County; 6 — at Humboldt; 10 — at Southeast Valley; 13 at Iowa Falls-Alden; 17 — Clear Lake; 20 — at Algona; 21 — at Gilbert; 24 — St. Edmond; 27 — at ClarionGoldfield/Dows; 28 — at Waverly-Shell Rock; 30 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

Feb. 3 — Humboldt; 7 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 10 — at Clear Lake; 14 — Algona; 16 — Boone.

MEMBERS OF THE WEBSTER CITY BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM are front row (left to right): Jayce Neuroth, Ty McKinney, Jaime Grossoehme and Dylan Rossing. Back: Kaleb White, Trevyn Lyons, Braden Doering, Briar Klaver, Jack Larson and Brandon Lahr. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

“I am extremely blessed to be able to coach a program that I have so much passion for.”

BRETT RATCLIFF

Webster City boys basketball coach

WEBSTER CITY GIRLS BASKETBALL

LYNX UNDER NEW DIRECTION

MEET THE LYNX

ROSTER Seniors

Fallon Casey 5-5, G/F

Chloe Andersen .......... 5-8, G/F

Alley Odland 5-6, G/F

Reese Casey ............. 5-11, F/C Livia Kasch 5-10, F/C

Juniors

Addyson Beaulieu 5-5, G/F

Kennedy Halling 5-6, G Ava Peterson 5-8, F Caitlyn Gapp 5-6, G

Sophomores

Marissa Hedeen 5-10, G/F Olivia Gallentine 5-8, G

Freshman

Alivia Burns 5-4, G

Fisher leads hungry Lynx squad filled with returning players

By ERIC PRATT sports@freemanjournal.net

Mark Fisher is enthusiastic about being granted the opportunity to lead the Webster City girls basketball program into the future.

Fisher was hired as the new Lynx basketball coach earlier this fall. The school’s tennis coach inherits a roster with a number of experienced players — including a group of six seniors — as the squad looks to climb the ladder in the North Central Conference.

“I’m really excited to get the chance to work with such a great group of girls,” Fisher said. “I know they are hungry to learn and have some success. My hope is that we can really help bring some positive experiences and

develop a culture that they want to be a part of.

“On the court, we’re hoping that we will be able to play extremely fast, that we’ll be able to defend, rebound, and share the ball. We have a group of kids who are already great role models and ambassadors of the school both on and off the court. We’re hoping they can keep that culture going.”

Livia Kasch, Webster City’s leading scorer a year ago, is back for her senior year, along with classmates Reese Casey, Fallon Casey, Chloe Andersen, Alley Odland and Abby Gallentine.

The 5-foot, 10-inch Kasch averaged 7.1 points and 5.5 rebounds. She was regularly joined in the starting lineup last season by Reese Casey, Odland

Schedule

Dec. 2 — at Clear Lake; 6 — South Central Calhoun; 9 — Algona; 13 — at St. Edmond; 16 — Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 20 — Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

Jan. 2 — at Greene County; 6 — at Humboldt; 10 — at Southeast Valley; 13 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 17 — Clear Lake; 20 at Algona; 24 — St. Edmond; 27 — at Clarion-Goldfield/ Dows; 30 — at HamptonDumont/CAL.

Feb. 3 — Humboldt; 7 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 10 — at Perry.

MEMBERS OF THE WEBSTER CITY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM are front row (left to right): Lydia VanDeer, Tateelina Vankham, Olivia Gallentine, Alivia Burns, Ady Poppen, Mia Hansen and Annabelle Hurt. Middle: Livia Kasch, Abby Gallentine, Chloe Andersen, Fallon Casey, Alley Odland, Reese Casey, Trinity Griffith and manager Ella Hanson. Back: Breanna Bahrenfuss, Olivia Richardson, Marissa Hedeen, Addy Beaulieu, Caitlyn Gapp, Kennedy Halling, Jillian Symens, Joleah Stuhr, Ava Peterson and Samantha Morgan. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

“We have a group of kids who are already great role models and ambassadors of the school both on and off the court.”

MARK FISHER Lynx girls basketball coach

WEBSTER CITY STUDENTS KATE FELTZ (LEFT) AND EMALIE PEREZ compete for the Fort Dodge wrestling team during the Fort Dodge scramble in early November. (Photos by Britt Kudla)

WEBSTER CITY WRESTLING

THE LOOK OF A CONTENDER

MEET THE LYNX

ROSTER Seniors

Jordan Vankham, Tristen Maxwell, Austin Mason, CJ Hisler, Brayden Henely, Skyler Scott, Brady Jessen, Dylan BurnetteBingham.

Juniors

Landon Griffin, Carson Doolittle, Kol Windham, Sven Anderson, Ayden Mourton, Landon Vaughn, Isaac Firsching, Jaxon Cherry, Chase Peck.

Sophomores

TEAM are front row (left to right): Kendyl Daniels, Gavin Wynkoop, Linden Phetxoumphone, Addison Scott, Jordan Vankham, Brayden Henley, Tristen Maxwell, Carson Doolittle, Dawson Bertran, Angel Ramirez-Trujillo and Jordyn Thome. Second: Brayden Burtnett, Landon Vaughn, Tristan Mason, CJ Hisler, Dylan Burnette-Bingham, Austin Mason, Skyler Scott, Brady Jessen, Deion Vankham, Juan Raymundo-Bernal, Sven Anderson and Rebecca Kenville. Third: Harper Range, Cael Alexander, Jayden Weinzetl, Luke Estlund, Jaxon Cherry, Landon Griffin, Isaac Firsching, Eli Estlund, Ayden Mourton and Heidi Mendoza. Fourth: Cody Elliott, Carson Bertran, Beau Nohrenberg, Cole Nohrenberg, Maurice Anderson, Jake Rohmiller and Gabe Griffin. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

OF THE

Hisler sees total package in his squad if team puts in the work

By DANA BECKER sports@freemanjournal.net

Plenty of excitement surrounds the Webster City wrestling program this winter, as the Lynx return state medalists, North Central Conference champions and welcome a handful of talented incoming freshmen who will compete for a spot in the lineup.

Veteran head coach Chad Hisler sees both power and potential with his squad, but there is still plenty of work ahead.

“We have good numbers and a really solid group back,” Hisler said. “The kids have been working hard and doing a great job.

“Since I took over, this is my biggest senior class. It’s not an overly big

one (relatively speaking), but for us it is, and they are a group that really provides a great deal of leadership. They’ve been wrestling together for years now.”

Like many schools, Hisler has had to balance seeing his athletes play multiple sports — with many enjoying quite a bit of success in those arenas as well.

“We always preach wanting everyone out for as many sports as possible,” he said. “It’s just the way it has to be. I coach three sports myself, and love seeing them doing so much.”

Hisler has also noticed a trend within his program with those kids.

Maurice Anderson, Deion Vankham, Jayden Weinzetl, Jake Rohmiler, Gabe Griffin, Carson Bertran, Addison Scott, Tristan Mason, Luke Estlund.

Freshmen

Beau Nohrenberg, Cody Elliott, Ryder Rees, Dawson Bertran, Angel Ramirez-Trujillo, Cole Nohrenberg, Eli Estlund, Gavin Wynkoop, Brayden Burtnett, Juan RaymundoBernal, Cael Alexander, Linden Phetxoumphone.

Schedule

Dec. 1 — at St. Edmond, Algona; 3 — at Dallas CenterGrimes Tournament; 8 — at Ballard, Ankeny; 10 — at Grinnell Tournament; 17 — at Don Miller Invitational.

Jan. 5 — Hampton-Dumont/ CAL; 7 — at Allie Morrison Duals; 12 — at Humboldt, Iowa FallsAlden; 14 — at Perry Invitational; 21 — at North Central Conference Tournament in Hampton; 26 — at Boone, Carroll; 28 — at Norsemen Duals.

MEMBERS

WEBSTER CITY WRESTLING

“They’ve been wrestling together for years now.”

CHAD HISLER Webster City wrestling coach, on the seniors

WEBSTER CITY WINTER SPORTS CHEERLEADERS for 2022-23 include, front row (left to right): Kaitlyn Lovelace, Addison Hayes and Gabbie Larson. Middle: Keyara Tigner, Emersen Paukert and Ellie Weinschenk. Back: Emma Brewer, Jillian Mallinger, Samantha Plain, Yasmine Bergman, Koda Koester and Breanna Somvong. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

SOUTH HAMILTON BOYS BASKETBALL

HAWKS READY TO REBOUND

MEET THE HAWKS

ROSTER Seniors

Teagan Trask 6-4, G Landon Grove 5-9, G Aiden Johnson .................6-3, F Tucker Clabaugh 6-0, G Landen Skartvedt 5-11, G Carter Balvanz 6-1, F Jack Moline ......................6-1, F

Juniors

Owen Renaud ..................6-2, F Reece Ricke 6-3, F Landon Greufe 5-10, G Noah Gunderson 6-2, F Jonathan Drake ............... 5-9, G Rylan Ubben 6-3, F

Schedule

Juber sees potential to bounce back as number of players return

By DANA BECKER sports@freemanjournal.net

After one of the best stretches of seasons in program history, the South Hamilton boys took a bit of a step back last year.

The Hawks won just three games following six consecutive winning seasons from 2015-2021, highlighted by a third place finish at state and three trips to the elite eight field.

On the bright side, South Hamilton graduated just three players from a season ago and returns three primary starters and six others who started at least one game.

Senior guard Teagan Trask led the Hawks last year with 8.4 points per

game, shooting 39 percent from the 3-point line. The 6-foot-4 Trask also averaged four rebounds a night.

Classmates Landon Grove and Landen Skartvedt were regulars in the starting lineup. Grove averaged four points a night and Skartvedt seven with four rebounds and two assists.

“We were very green and inexperienced last year, and we were able to get a lot of varsity experience now coming back as juniors and seniors,” South Hamilton head coach Matt Juber said. “I don’t think any one guy stands out to me as a top returning player, but rather a big handful of guys that on any given night can be that guy.

Dec. 1 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 2 — at Perry; 6 — at Greene County; 8 — at St. Edmond; 9 — Saydel; 13 — at Nevada; 16 — Roland-Story; 20 — West Marshall.

Jan. 3 — at Southeast Valley; 6 — at Monroe-PCM; 13 — Perry; 17 — Greene County; 24 — at Saydel; 26 — South Hardin; 27 — Nevada; 31 — at RolandStory.

Feb. 3 — at West Marshall; 7 Monroe-PCM; 9 — at Carroll Kuemper.

SOUTH HAMILTON BOYS TEAM MEMBERS are front row (left to right): Ty Koehnk, Landon Grove, Landen Skartvedt, Tucker Clabaugh and Jonathan Drake. Middle: Landon Greufe, Kole Feaker, Noah Gunderson, Chayton Ewurs and Owen Renaud. Back: Ryland Ubben, Aiden Johnson, Reece Ricke, Teagan Trask and Carter Balvanz. (DFJ photo by Angela Hewitt)

“I don’t think any one guy stands out to me as a top returning player, but rather, a big handful of guys that on any given night can be that guy.”

MATT JUBER South Hamilton boys basketball coach

NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE Boys

Conf. All

Humboldt 12-2 21-4

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows ................. 12-2 ........ 19-4 Clear Lake 9-5 17-6

Webster City .....................................9-5 ...... 12-10 Iowa Falls-Alden 5-9 11-11

Hampton-Dumont/CAL 4-10 11-11

Algona 4-10 8-14 St. Edmond 1-13 8-14

Photo by Patrick Coons

WEBSTER CITY GIRLS BASKETBALL returning letterwinners are (left to right): Addyson Beaulieu, Trinity Griffith, Livia Kasch, Abby Gallentine, Jillian Symens, Alley Odland, Chloe Andersen, Fallon Casey, Reese Casey, Ava Peterson.

Photo by Patrick Coons

WEBSTER CITY BOYS BASKETBALL returning letterwinners are (left to right): Ty McKinney, Briar Klaver, Jayce Neuroth, Jaime Grossoehme and Braden Doering.

SOUTH HAMILTON GIRLS BASKETBALL

HAWKS READY TO TAKE FLIGHT

Henderson bullish on veteran team’s chances as momentum builds

By ERIC PRATT sports@freemanjournal.net

The South Hamilton girls basketball squad continues to climb the ladder as excitement builds around the program for the 2022-23 campaign.

Next stop for the Hawks?

“I think for this group it’s pretty simple,” said seventh-year South Hamilton head coach Mark Henderson. “They want to win a conference championship and they want to make a trip to state.”

The goals may seem lofty to some, but the Hawks have every reason to feel confident. A trio of standout players — senior Hallee Feaker, junior Makena Galetich and junior Ashlyn Erickson — return from a squad that

went 16-7 overall a year ago before bowing out in the regional semifinal.

Feaker and Galetich will be team captains for South Hamilton, which won only three games the year before and after Henderson took over the program. Now they’re 26-18 in the last two seasons combined.

“I think we have a very fast and athletic team, and at most times, we’ll have five girls on the floor who can really shoot the ball,” Henderson said. “We also have an exceptionally hard-working and competitive group that takes a lot of pride on the defensive end of the court, so I expect us to create a lot of turnovers and score in transition.

“We have a smart team who understands the game. I think we’ll be good

ROSTER Seniors

Paige Doolittle .......... 5-4, G Hallee Feaker........ 5-7, G/F Amanda Ostrem 5-3, G Hanna Robinson 5-10, F

Juniors

Makena Galetich 5-7, G/F Ashlyn Erickson 5-8, F Tanna Thompson ..... 5-4, G Kailyn Northrop ........ 5-4, G Grace Neuberger 5-10, F Anna Holm 5-3, G Kendra Hoversten ..... 5-6, F

Schedule

Dec. 1 — Iowa FallsAlden; 2 — at Perry; 6 — at Greene County; 8 — at St. Edmond; 9 — Saydel; 13 at Nevada; 16 — RolandStory; 20 — West Marshall.

Jan. 3 — at Southeast Valley; 6 — at Monroe PCM; 13 — Perry; 17 — Greene County; 24 — at Saydel; 26 — South Hardin; 27 — Nevada; 31 — at RolandStory.

Feb. 3 — at West Marshall; 7 — Monroe PCM.

MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH HAMILTON GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM are front row (left to right): Anna Holm, Makena Galetich, Tanna Thompson, Ashlyn Erickson and Kendra Hoversten. Back: Kailyn Northrop, Hallee Feaker, Hanna Robinson, Amanda Ostrem, Paige Doolittle, Grace Neuberger and manager Abby Richardson. (DFJ photo by Angela Hewitt)

“I think for this group it’s pretty simple. They want to win a conference championship and they want to make a trip to state.”

MARK HENDERSON South Hamilton girls basketball coach

WEBSTER CITY BOYS BASKETBALL

Seniors Ty McKinney and Jaime Grossoehme are back after being named all-conference a season ago. McKinney is a twoyear starter at point guard, while Grossoehme was tabbed to the first team all-NCC after averaging 14.3 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 48 percent from the field overall.

Jayce Neuroth is the other returning senior starter for Ratcliff and the Lynx.

“Ty, Jaime and Jayce will be our captains,” Ratcliff said. “They are the core group and we will rely on them heavily this season to lead the team.

“We have several juniors that have put in the work during the offseason, have matured physically and are ready to step in and fill some key roles that we have from graduating seniors last year.”

McKinney averaged 12.5 points on 44 percent shooting from the floor. A standout on the football field this past fall, McKinney also added four rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals a night as a junior.

Neuroth chipped in 5.5 points with three assists, 2.5 rebounds and a team-leading 2.2 steals per

night.

Grossoehme led the team with 70 made triples, while McKinney added 23. Junior Briar Klaver had 94 rebounds, which ranked second a year ago and is first among returning players, while

adding 33 assists and 14 blocks.

Both Neuroth and McKinney finished with more assists than turnovers last year. Webster City also had 137 steals as a squad and 50 blocked shots.

“I believe some of our

strengths this season will be having the ability to get out and run in transition,” Ratcliff said. “I feel like we have four or five guys on the court at all times that can bring the ball up on a break.

“Defensively, we should be

versatile enough to guard multiple positions on the court.”

Since the 2006-07 season, the Lynx have recorded 15 seasons with at least 10 wins, while going 21-2 during the 2011-12 campaign. They also reached 20 wins in 201516 and have five other seasons with 15 or more victories.

Webster City closed the regular season last year by winning five of eight, including four of five in the NCC. They tied for third in the league with Clear Lake, three games back of co-champions Humboldt and Clarion-Goldfield/ Dows.

“We need to continue to work on our shooting percentage,” Ratcliff said. “We have to value the basketball in every possession. Lastly, we have to continue to develop players so they can give us minutes at a high level.

“Our goals are to get better every day in practice, be a top team in the NCC and make a run in the postseason.”

Mark Davis, a former WCHS head coach and long-time assistant, will remain on the bench next to Ratcliff as an assistant. Davis was the head coach when Ratcliff played for the Lynx.

LYNX BOYS , Continued from Page 2

WEBSTER CITY’S TY MCKINNEY drives to the basket last season for the Lynx. McKinney returns as a leading scorer in 2022-23. (DFJ file photo)

SOUTH HAMILTON WRESTLING

PETERS IN CHARGE OF HAWKS

MEET THE HAWKS

ROSTER Seniors

Dalton Myrick, Earnest Taylor.

Juniors

Holden Klein, Keyton Remsburg, Bobby Tapper, Johnathan O’Neil, William Angove, Graham Peters, Kevin Gonzalez, Adley Peters.

Sophomores Braden Young.

Freshmen

Kolby Hodnefield, Isaac Martensen, Parker Stuck, Gaige Willis, Titus Herrick.

SCHEDULE

Former state medalist now in lead role for school’s mat program

By CHRIS JOHNSON sports@freemanjournal.net

Six years ago, Luke Peters was earning a state medal for the South Hamilton wrestling team.

Now, he is the man in charge of the program.

Peters was a three-time state qualifier for the Hawks starting his sophomore year. He finished his career with an eighth-place showing at 160 pounds in 2017.

Peters was 32-7 in his final season, and 114-21 in his career for the Hawks.

The new head coach has been matside for the past three seasons for South Hamilton. He’s been a full-time assistant for the last two years, and he was a volunteer assistant the year before.

“Our expectations are to see improvement from everyone,’’ Peters said. “The upperclassmen are setting good examples in practice and bringing good habits into the room.”

Junior Keaton Remsburg was a state qualifier as a freshman at 113 pounds in 2021. Remsburg was a district qualifier last season, but was unable to punch a state ticket.

Remsburg compiled 23 wins in his state-qualifying campaign.

Lane Swenson, who placed seventh in 2020, ended a three-year drought of South Hamilton qualifiers. Before that, Peters and Keaton Hetland had been the last South Hamilton wrestlers at the state tournament.

In 2018 the Hawks failed to make it out of sectionals. The following

Dec. 3 — at Manson Northwest Webster (Doug Wood Invite); 8 — at Saydel; 10 — at Central Springs; 15 — at West Marshall; 17 — at RolandStory; 20 — at East Sac County. Jan. 3 — at Clarion-GoldfieldDows; 7 — at BCLUW; 10 — at Forest City; 12 — Greene County/PCM; 14 — at Perry; 17 at Nevada; 20 — at Perry; 28 — at Pocahontas Area; 31 — at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.

MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH HAMILTON WRESTLING TEAM are front row (left to right): Isaac Martensen, Gaige Willis, Kolby Holdenfield, Brody Harris and Parker Stuck. Middle: Jonathan O’Neil, Sam Fink, Bobby Tapper, Dalton Myrick, Titus Herrick and Kevin Gonzalez. Back: manager Sara Scheller, Braden Young, Keaton Remsburg, Adley Peters, Graham Peters, Ernie Taylor, Holden Klein and manager Erin Greenfield. (DFJ photo by Angela Hewitt)

“Our

LUKE PETERS

South Hamilton head coach

WEBSTER CITY GIRLS BASKETBALL

and Gallentine, who is currently out with an injury.

Casey and Kasch were the leading rebounders last winter. Odland and Kasch paced the team in steals.

“Those girls have been through a lot in their first three years, and we need them to not only use their experiences in the past to help drive the younger players, but also to be leaders as everyone is trying to learn a new system and style of play,” Fisher said. “Their willingness to adapt is a huge thing for the younger players to watch, as well.

“I really feel strongly that our depth and experience will be a major asset for us this year. We have a lot of young players who are pushing for time, as we’ve

had about the most deep and competitive battle for early playing time I have had in my years as a coach. There are going to be a lot of tough decisions to make.”

Fisher expects junors Addyson Beaulieu and Ava Peterson to be regular contributors, along with senior Trinity Griffith, juniors Kennedy Halling, Caitlyn Gapp and Joleah Stuhr, sophomores Olivia Gallentine, Adysen Poppen and Marissa Hedeen, and freshman Alivia Burns.

“With not having a winning season for well over 10 years, our first goal is to get back to winning more games and try to have a winning record,” Fisher said. “But we also have aspirations to get back to competing and being in the discussion for the NCC title and making deep tournament

runs, and we think if we keep developing and improving, we can start to make that noise this year.

“Probably the biggest thing for us (to bridge that gap) is just learning and adapting to a new style of play. That’s probably the most important improvement we’ll need to make as we continue through the process of just getting better at what we want to do every single day.”

The Lynx were 6-16 overall in 2021-22. After an 0-8 start, they went 6-8 down the stretch of the season, with wins over St.

LYNX GIRLS , Continued from Page 3

Edmond (twice), Greene County, Southeast Valley, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Perry.

ALLEY ODLAND OF WEBSTER CITY shoots against Carroll in the team’s home opener. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

LYNX TEAMMATES Alley Odland (14) and Chloe Anderson (4) defend against Carroll in the team’s home opener. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

Photo by Patrick Coons

WEBSTER CITY WRESTLING returning letterwinners are, front row (left to right): Adison Scott, Jordan Vankham, Brayden Henley, Tristen Maxwell and Carson Doolittle. Middle: Tristan Mason, CJ Hisler, Dylan Burnette-Bingham, Austin Mason, Brady Jessen and Deion Vankham. Back: Luke Estlund, Skyler Scott, Jaxon Cherry, Landon Griffin and Isaac Firsching.

WEBSTER CITY'S BRADY JESSEN celebrates after earning a victory over Osage last season. (DFJ file photo)

“I think we tend to peak after Christmas,” he said. “Maybe it has taken us a while to get our footing, but I think by not (specializing in wrestling), it keeps them fresh until the end of the season.

“We went to a threeway camp this summer and all of the kids are active lifting and staying in shape throughout the year.”

Senior CJ Hisler earned a bronze medal in Des Moines at state last year, and is joined by fellow two-time third place finisher junior Carson Doolittle and fourthplace medalist Jaxon Cherry, a junior.

Austin Mason — who won an NCC title — Dylan Burnette-Bingham, Skyler Scott and Brady Jessen all have strong resumes. Hisler and Doolittle are also twotime NCC champs, while Cherry claimed a league title in his first winter of

full-time wrestling.

“Many of our seniors also played football, earning alldistrict honors,” Hisler said. “We are really going to lean on them to help bring the newer kids around.”

Jordan Vankham, Luke Estlund, Tristan Mason, Brayden Henely and Landon Griffin all return with varsity experience as well.

CJ Hisler owns a career record of 86-25, while Doolittle has 75 wins. Mason has 55 victories, Vankham is at 50, and Henely, Jessen and Cherry own 45.

“We have to get as many kids into our lineup as we can,” Hisler said. “Many of them are around the same weight or at the same weight. We need to spread them out, but I think this will also give us a great junior varsity lineup that will provide experience for the future.”

Ninth-graders Linden

Phetxoumphone, Gavin Wynkoop, Dawson Bertran, Cole Nohrenberg and Beau Nohrenberg bring a new energy into the room, with Carson Bertran, Addison Scott, Tristen Maxwell, Isaac Firsching and Gabe Griffin adding more depth while pushing for a spot in the lineup.

“In the past, we had some pretty good freshmen that we had to wrestle to fill varsity spots,” Hisler said. “That might not be the case this year because many of those ninth-graders are around spots in the lineup where we already have some pretty good kids.

“But that is a good thing to have. That means they will continually be pushing each other in practice and will give us depth.”

Hisler was first named an interim head coach in 2015 before becoming the official head coach the following year. He graduated from Webster City in 1992 and was a standout wrestler for the Lynx before attending Buena Vista University.

Prior to returning to Webster City, Hisler was an assistant coach at St. Edmond, helping the Gaels win the 2005 NCC duals title and qualify for the Class 1A state duals tournament.

Bill Bertran, a veteran assistant, will once again be working with Hisler alongside former WCHS standouts Joel Kennedy, Carson Hartnett and several volunteers.

LYNX MAT , Continued from Page 5

WEBSTER CITY'S LUKE ESTLUND wrestles against Clarion-Goldfield-Dows last year. (DFJ file photo)

WEBSTER CITY HEAD COACH Chad Hisler yells out encouragement from matside. (DFJ file photo)

SOUTH HAMILTON BOYS BASKETBALL

HAWK BOYS , Continued from Page 7

Landon Greufe and Noah Gunderson add more experience along with Aiden Johnson, Owen Renaud, Reece Ricke and Jack Moline. Renaud had 23 points and 24 rebounds, with Greufe recording 34 points and 22 boards.

Juber, a native of Sibley, graduated from Iowa State University in 2014 and is a teacher in the South Hamilton school district. He is now in his fourth season as head coach and eighth in the program.

“We have the potential to be a very deep team with a lot of versatility,” Juber said. “We have 15 juniors and seniors, and the majority of them will have an opportunity to compete for rotational minutes.

“With our depth and introduction of the shot clock, we want to be relentless and play the game at a pace that will be advantageous for our depth.”

Along with nightly battles in the Heart of Iowa Conference, South Hamilton will also meet the likes of South Central Calhoun, Iowa Falls-Alden, St. Edmond, Southeast Valley and South Hardin in non-conference games.

Roland-Story went a perfect 14-0 in league play last year to claim the conference title by two games over Nevada, while MonroePCM was third and Greene County fourth. South Hamilton finished seventh, three games ahead of Perry and just one behind West Marshall.

Wins in 2021-22 for the Hawks came over Perry twice and West Marshall.

conference championship and playing deep into the postseason.”

South Hamilton will honor its seniors on Feb. 7 vs. Monroe-PCM and conclude the regular season two nights later at Carroll Kuemper.

“We don’t have a player that we will lean on night in, night out, but the potential versatility we have on our roster will be our biggest asset.”

Tucker Clabaugh, another senior, saw the court on a nightly basis, recording 79 points, 65 rebounds, 12 assists and 11 steals, as did juniors Jonathan Drake and Ryland Ubben, along with senior Carter Balvanz. Ubben scored 103 points with 41 rebounds, Drake added 65 points, 44 rebounds, 35 assists and 21 steals, and Balvanz chipped in 28 points, 27 rebounds,

nine assists and five steals.

As a team, South Hamilton averaged 43 points per game, shooting 34.5 percent from the field and 59 percent from the free throw line. The Hawks made 105 threepointers and had 184 assists on 349 field goals with 122 steals.

“We have a great senior class that experienced last year’s struggles as firstyear varsity players,” Juber said. “Now, they understand what it takes to not only compete at the varsity level, but also to win at the varsity level.”

“Our biggest question mark or area I think we need to make improvements from last year is consistency,” Juber said. “As we gained experience last season, we had lots of guys have big games for us, but we struggled to reproduce those efforts consistently. Individually, we had too many highs and lows, peaks and valleys. We need to find consistency to be successful.

“Our primary goal is to compete every night, win one game at a time and execute that mindset consistently so we can put ourselves in position to achieve some bigger aspirations like competing for a

SOUTH HAMILTON’S LANDEN SKARTVEDT drives to the basket against Roland-Story last season. (DFJ file photo)

CARTER BALVANZ shoots last season for the Hawks. (DFJ file photo)

“We have the potential to be a very deep team with a lot of versatitlity. We have 15 juniors and seniors, and the majority of them will have an opportunity to compete for rotational minutes.”

MATT JUBER

South Hamilton head coach

RETURNING NCC LEADERS

BOYS Points

Will Orness, Humboldt, 341; Jaime Grossoehme, Webster City, 314; Scott Harr, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 299; Ty McKinney, Webster City, 274; Thomas Meyer, Clear Lake, 255; Andrew Bicknese, Iowa Falls-Alden, 249; Joshua Thurm, Humboldt, 234; Travaughn Luyobya, Clear Lake, 231; Jackson Palmer, St. Edmond, 207.

Rebounds

Scott Harr, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 233; Thomas Meyer, Clear Lake, 148; Will Orness, Humboldt, 125; Andrew Bicknese, Iowa FallsAlden, 106; Alex Manske, Algona, 105; Jaden Damiano, Iowa Falls-Alden, 102; Briar Klaver, Webster City, 94; Ty McKinney, Webster City, 91; Joshua Thurm, Humboldt, 90.

Assists

Travaughn Luyobya, Clear Lake, 164; Marco Guerrero, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 120; Jackson Palmer, St. Edmond, 67; Ty McKinney, Webster City, 66; Scott Harr, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 64; Jayce Neuroth, Webster City, 62; Andrew Bicknese, Iowa Falls-Alden, 47; Joshua Thurm, Humboldt, 45; Jaime Grossoehme, Webster City, 41.

Steals

Marco Guerrero, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 70; Jayce Neuroth, Webster City, 48; Andrew Bicknese, Iowa Falls-Alden, 45; Travaughn Luyobya, Clear Lake, 37; Scott Harr, HamptonDumont/CAL, 36; Ty McKinney, Webster City, 33; Thomas Meyer, Clear Lake, 31; Joshua Thurm, Humboldt, 26; Jackson Palmer, St. Edmond, 23.

Blocked Shots

Thomas Meyer, Clear Lake, 20; Andrew Bicknese, Iowa Falls-Alden, 17; Briar Klaver, Webster City, 14; Jaden Damiano, Iowa FallsAlden, 13; Jaime Grossoehme, Webster City, 11; Ty McKinney, Webster City, 10.

GIRLS Points

Morgan Mann, Humboldt, 354; Lexie Lane, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 319; Ella Sharar, Iowa Falls-Alden, 275; A’Lailah Perry, Algona, 168; Lillian Etherington, Algona, 165; Xada Johnson, Clear Lake, 164; Lauren McLaughlin, Algona, 163; Sawyer Morrical, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 157; Livia Kasch, Webster City, 156; Jordan Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 154.

Rebounds

Ella Sharar, Iowa Falls-Alden, 183; A’Lailah Perry, Algona, 157; Xada Johnson, Clear Lake, 136; Reese Casey, Webster City, 122; Livia Kasch, Webster City, 121; Morgan Mann, Humboldt, 120; Addison Dennis, Iowa FallsAlden, 115; Reagan Lee, Humboldt, 111; Katie Flaherty, St. Edmond, 101; Lexie Lane, ClarionGoldfield/Dows, 96; Abigail Ites, Iowa FallsAlden, 96.

Assists

Jordan Mayland, Clear Lake, 83; Lillian Etherington, Algona, 78; Tora Solbach, Algona, 61; Brooklynn Eden, Clear Lake, 48; Jordan Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 48; Sawyer Morrical, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 44; Brooklyn Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 40; Lexie Lane, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 39; Lauren McLaughlin, Algona, 38; Abigail Ites, Iowa Falls-Alden, 38.

Steals

Brooklyn Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 75; Lexie Lane, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 74; Jordan Valley, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 72; Sawyer Morrical, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 59; Alley Odland, Webster City, 53; Brooklynn Eden, Clear Lake, 50; Morgan Mann, Humboldt, 50; Livia Kasch, Webster City, 44.

Blocked Shots

A’Lailah Perry, Algona, 32; Elliot Ennis, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, 29; Addison Dennis, Iowa Falls-Alden, 17; Xada Johnson, Clear Lake, 16; Lauren McLaughlin, Algona, 14.

THE CREDITS

The DFJ’s annual Fan publication, a winter sports preview, was a combined effort made possible by the efforts of the sports staff and the coaches, athletes and administrators at both Webster City and South Hamilton.

Eric Pratt and Chris Johnson designed and edited the tab. Pratt, Johnson and Dana Becker gathered information, wrote stories and collected schedules, rosters and other data. Photographs were taken by Patrick Coons and Angela Hewitt Nick Manwarren designed the cover.

SOUTH HAMILTON GIRLS BASKETBALL

at making adjustments on the fly as needed. Some of that comes from how much experience we now have. A lot of these girls have played since they were freshmen. This is an unselfish group who cares more about winning than individual statistics. They believe they should win every time they step on the court, and that is what makes my job so fun right now.”

Feaker averaged 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds a year ago, while also recording over three steals per contest. Galetich was the leading scorer as a sophomore, checking in at 15 points per night. She also grabbed 5.3 rebounds, dished out 3.3 assists and tallied four steals.

“Hallee has been a starter for us since day one of her freshman year,” Henderson said. “She will be one of our primary ball handlers, and we will look for her to continue to be a scorer for us. She is very capable of creating her own offense, and is someone that opponents will have to gameplan to stop.

“Makena is our other top ball handler and scorer. She is a two-time first team allconference player. She does a great job of setting the pace for our team and puts a ton of pressure on opponents at both ends of the court.”

Erickson, a 5-foot, 9-inch forward, contributed eight points and nearly five rebounds a year ago.

“Ashlyn is someone who we ask a lot of,” Henderson said. “She usually guards the other team’s best player and is our top rebounder. She will also be our primary option in the post, but she can also step out and shoot from the perimeter.

“All three of these girls do a great job of leading by example with their work ethic day in and day out in practice.”

Junior Grace Neuberger, last season’s top reserve, and classmate Tanna Thompson — who missed last year with an injury — will slide into starter roles this winter.

Junior Kailyn Northrop and senior Paige Doolittle will be the first players off the bench, according to Henderson.

“Grace Neugerber will step into the starting lineup and give us some length on the defensive end and another good shooter,” Henderson said. “Tanna Thompson is another good ball handler

and shooter who is a very good defender on and off the ball. She would have pushed for a starting role last year had she been healthy.

“Kailyn will be our first girl off the bench. She is one of the best shooters on our team. She really improved her ball handling the past two years on JV, and right now, looks very comfortable on the court. Paige is another senior who will see plenty of action for us. She plays really good defense and is good at crashing the offensive glass.”

South Hamilton is still working on “handling pressure and rebounding more,” Henderson added.

“I think our lineup this year will help us be more steady against a press,” Henderson said. “We lose a little size and strength from last year (to graduation), but probably replaced that with improved ball handlers.

“Rebounding will be a big key for us, because we are not very big. We are going to have to be disciplined enough to box out on each shot, and we’re going to have to use our quickness to go for rebounds.”

West Marshall (22-3 overall, 13-1 in the Heart of Iowa Conference last year) is the defending league champion. Roland Story (19-6, 12-2), Nevada (14-10, 10-4) and the Hawks were next in line.

HAWK GIRLS , Continued from Page 9

SOUTH HAMILTON’S HALLEE FEAKER tries to get around a player in Jewell last season. Feaker is one of three starters back for the Hawks in 2022-23. (DFJ file photo)

“This is an unselfish group who cares more about winning than statistics.”

MARK HENDERSON

South Hamilton girls basketball coach

Andrea Richman Manson

year, Trevor Thompson reached districts, but was stuck in a loaded four-man bracket.

Last season, graduate Brent Greenfield placed seventh, advancing to the quarterfinal round. He lost to eventual state champion Tate Entriken of Hudson.

“Keaton qualified as a freshman and was very close last season,’’ Peters said. “He sets a great example and is ready to get back to Des Moines.”

Peters expects to lean on a senior and a pair of juniors for leadership in 2022-23.

Twins Adley Peters and Graham Peters had strong seasons a year ago, and

senior Earnest Taylor is ready to finish strong for South Hamilton.

Dalton Myrick is the only other senior on the roster.

Juniors are Holden Klein, Bobby Tapper, Jonathan O’Neil, William Angove and Kevin Gonzalez.

Braden Young is the lone sophomore of the group.

Hitting the high school room for the first time are freshmen Kolby Hodnefield, Isaac Martensen, Parker Stuck, Gaige Willis and Titus Herrick.

“Adley and Graham have improved a lot, and so has Earnest,’’ Peters said. “They are ready to show their improvement and get out on the mat.”

(DFJ file photo)

Peters takes over for Dan Brodie, and has experienced success through the transition so far.

“It’s been pretty smooth,’’ Peters said. “Mr. Brodie has been popping into the room here and there and helping me.

“Once we figured out the routine, we have been building on that and moving forward.”

South Hamilton will

GRAHAM PETERS celebrates after a win last season for South Hamilton. (DFJ file photo)

open the season on Dec. 3 at Manson in the Doug Wood Invitational. Host Manson Northwest Webster, Eagle Grove,

South Central Calhoun, St. Edmond, West BendMallard, East Sac County, Ogden, Clarinda Academy, Alta-Aurelia, Hampton-

Dumont and Woodbury Central will also be in the field.

South Hamilton’s home opener is Jan. 12.

HAWK MAT , Continued from Page 11

SOUTH HAMILTON’S KEATON REMSBURG looks for a takedown during the 2021 state wrestling tournament.