A magazine focusing on all things sports in northwest Kansas
INK. December 2013
Hoops time Chase Kennedy is part of dynamic duo for expected contender Hoxie
The Hays Daily News
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Staying warm
CHAD PILSTER, Sports Ink. Osborne High School football players bundle up on the sidelines during the Bulldogs’ Eight-Man Division I playoff opener Nov. 5 against Madison-Hamilton in Osborne.
What’s up?
A look inside this issue
16
Top
6
players
Here’s a list of players you might
HHS
want to keep an eye on as the 2013-14
ready
The Indian boys’ basketball team is loaded up and ready for a good run.
basketball season
8
Fearsome twosome
starts.
The Hoxie boys have a wealth of talent that starts with their top two players.
Sports Ink. contributors: Nick McQueen nmcqueen@dailynews.net Conor Nicholl cnicholl@dailynews.net Everett Royer sportsink@dailynews.net Jolie Green jgreen@dailynews.net Chad Pilster cpilster@dailynews.net Austin Colbert acolbert@dailynews.net Nicole Hester nhester@dailynews.net Volume 3, Issue 10 Sports Ink. is published and distributed by The Hays Daily News. Copyright © 2013 Harris Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Sports Ink. is a registered trademark of The Hays Daily News, 507 Main, Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-1081.
No surprises — it’s Norton A
ll signs point to Norton in Class 3-2-1A. season, enters this year ranked No. 1 at the same weight. Cambpell That’s not too uncommon a phrase going into any prep wres- lost a 5-3 decision to Phillipsburg’s Kyle Whitmer, who graduated. tling season. The Bluejays have won three out of the last four Class Next up in Norton’s onslaught of talent, senior Ethan Ross enters 3-2-1A state championships. the year ranked No. 1 at 113 pounds. Ross was fifth at 113 at state It’s no surprise it looks like they can hoist the trophy again this last season, and earns the No. 1 ranking as Silver Lake’s Alex Caseason. vanaugh (third at 113 last season) is at 120 pounds. The Bluejays were ranked No. 1 in the classification in the preAlso top ranked just above Smith Center’s Clint Rogers, Norton’s season wrestling rankings, but probably should face a bit more of Alec Hager sits atop the 126 pound preseason list. Hager finished a challenge from the west side of the state , second in the weight a year ago behind HoisingFor starters which has owned Class 3-2-1A for years. The ton standout Brandon Ball, who was undefeated last team east of Interstate 135 to win was and is ranked No. 1 at 132 as a senior. Effingham-Athchison County in 2001. Plainville has four ranked wrestlers, highlighted Four of the top five ranked preseason teams by a No. 1 ranking for senior Dylan Weisner at are from western Kansas this season, includ170 pounds. Weisner was second at 160 pounds ing the Bluejays at No. 1, Plainville at No. 2, last year with just eight losses. He was pinned by Oakley third and Oberlin-Decatur CommuHoxie’s undefeated state champion Calvin Ochs, nity fifth. who graduated. All will be competing in the early-season tournament in Hoxie, Oakley also features four ranked wrestlers, all of whom were part which is the only perennial contender missing from that pack. of a dominant Oakley football team. Oberlin, which felt it had a Hoxie finished second a year ago, but graduated the bulk of its top good shot of earning a state trophy last season, has three ranked guys. wrestlers to start the year. Norton, though, which won the title by 30-plus points, has a Just like with every wrestling season, though, it’s not really about wealth of returners. The Bluejays had seven wrestlers ranked in the where you start. It’s not even about what you do in the first few preseason, though its most often unlikely all of them will wrestle tournaments. Wrestlers want to be performing their best in early at the weights where they are ranked early in the season. February. Still, with so many good teams once again in the western Of those seven, three are top ranked in their respective classes. half of the state, wrestling fans should be excited to get the season Caysean Campbell, who was second at state at 106 pounds last going.
nick
McQUEEN
Proud to Support Our Student Athletes Wishing all of our school teams a safe and successful season. We hope you'll experience the thrill of victory, but more importantly, that you'll enjoy every minute of the game. We salute your hard work, school spirit and commitment to the team. Good Luck!
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Who’s That? Notable performances in northwest Kansas Morgan West
The La Crosse High School sophomore helped the Leopards to their first state volleyball appearance since 2004. The Leopards qualified for the Class 1A Division I state tourney Nov. 1 after winning the Lincoln substate a week earlier with wins against Lincoln and Macksville. At 5-foot-9, West came into the state tournament as one of the Leopards’ top hitters at three kills per set with a .372 hitting average. The Leopards return all but two seniors next season.
Jake Tiernan
The Osborne High School sophomore quarterback came up big against Melvern-Marais Des Cygnes Valley in the second round of the Eight-Man Division I playoffs on Nov. 9. Tiernan completed 14 of 16 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed the ball 13 times for 70 yards and three scores as the Bulldogs won a shootout, 68-52 to advance to the sub-state title round against CliftonClyde. Heading into the sub-state game, Tiernan had more touchdowns than incompletions for the season. He completed 85 of 104 passes (82 percent) for 1,353 yards and 33 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
Cory Keehn
The Fort Hays State University junior cross country runner was scheduled to compete last weekend in his second straight NCAA Division II national race in Spokane, Wash. A native of Soldier, Kan., Keehn earned his second straight All-Central Region honor after he finished 14th in the Central Regional Nov. 9 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Keehn finished the 10K course in 32 minutes, 15 seconds and was one of the top three runners not on a qualifying team, thus earning a spot in his second straight national meet.
Kyle Pakkebier
The 5-foot-10, 140-pound senior linebacker for the Logan-Palco High School football team finished with 143 total tackles, averaging 15.9 tackles per game for the 5-4 Trojans. LoganPalco, in its first year of a cooperative agreement, was not eligible for the playoffs, but managed a 3-2 record in its district, essentially finishing third behind Beloit/St. John’sTipton and Thunder Ridge. Pakkebier also added a sack and a fumble recovery, and was a key contributor on the offensive line. Got an idea of someone who you think should be included in Who’s That? Send it to sportsink@dailynews.net with Who’s that? in the subject line, or call (800) 657-6017.
“I think this year will be better than last year. …I think we are deeper than last year.”
Brady Werth, HHS junior Nick Schwien, Sports Ink. Hays High’s Brady Werth will return at center for his junior season with the Indians.
Locked & H
loaded
ays High School senior Jordan Windholz remembers being a freshman and poking fun at eighth grader Brady Werth. But that was a long time ago and it’s not something he would dare do today. “I did not think anything of him. I even told him that,” Windholz said. “But he has turned into such a monster. He’s worked really hard during the offseason to get better at what he does. He is going to finish. I don’t think anyone can stop him.” Despite frequent double teams last Page 6
HHS ready for run
season, the 6-foot-7 Werth, now a junior, proved to be a nearly unstoppable force for the Hays High boys’ basketball team. He led the Indians in scoring a year ago, bringing in 14 points a game en route to WAC Player of the Year honors. After two seasons, Werth has scored 450 career points, 35th all-time at Hays High. Matt Stramel, a 2006 graduate, is the all-time points leader with 1,025 points. Before Werth begins to think about breaking that record, he and the rest of the Indians are eyeing a prize even greater — a state December 2013
title, which has evaded them since 1944. And to think it’s a realistic possibility after the team went 6-15 two seasons ago is testament to how far this junior and senior class has come. Last season was a breakout year in many ways for Hays High, with Werth further developing into the “monster” he is, and with the Indians earning a trip to the Class 5A state tournament for the first time since 2003 after a 14-8 season. Just don’t believe for a second the Indians are satisfied. SPORTS INK.
“I want to make it all the way to the finals this year,” Werth said. “I think this year will be better than last year. The expectations — I want to win a state title. I know everyone else does. I think we are deeper than last year. Our outside game is going to be better this year, too.” It’s the team’s depth that could really set it apart this season. The Indians did lose five seniors, including key contributors Nick Petz, Adam Deterding and Derek Bixenman. But what they have coming back should make them a legitimate threat in Class 5A. While Werth is the team’s anchor, its guard play will likely make or break the team’s title shot. Thankfully for the Indians, they have a lot of talent and experience to lean on. Seniors Lane Clark and Kyler Niernberger will join Windholz on the perimeter. Clark was the Indians’ second leading scorer last year, averaging seven points a game. Windholz had been the No. 2 scorer for Hays High until he tore his anterior cruciate ligament 15 games into the season. Niernberger, Windholz and junior Nathan Romme will share time at point guard. “I think it’s going to be pretty vicious competition for playing time, because I think there are some younger kids that had good summers and I think they will be competing for spots,” said Rick Keltner, who is in his 29th year coaching at Hays High. “The pitfall is if you get egos involved and start getting people caring about themselves instead of the team. But that’s one of the joys and challenges of coaching.” Joining the mix is Wakeeney-Trego Community High School transfer Clayton Riedel. Riedel, a senior, spent the fall on the Indians’ football team and proved to be one of its best defensive backs. An athletic 6-foot-5, Riedel is expected to join seniors Kenny Rounkles and Kade Parker as the other post players opposite Werth. Other players of note are junior Cash Hobson, son of Fort Hays State University women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson, and sophomore Isaiah Nunnery. Nunnery is one of the more intriguing players for Hays High. At 6-foot-2, Keltner said he could easily be another point guard option but is also one of the team’s best rebounders. “I really think Isaiah is going to be the one to step up this year,” Werth said. “He has improved a lot from last year. Just in playing this past week with him shooting Sports Ink.
Nick Schwien, Sports Ink. Hays High’s Jordan Windholz goes up for a shot during a game last season. A senior now, Windholz missed most of last season due to a knee injury.
around and playing pick-up games, he has improved a ton I feel.” The Indians will begin their season on Dec. 5 at the Gerald Mitchell Hays City Shoot-Out against Riley County. Hays High won the tournament last season, defeating Nebraska-Kearney 59-42 in the championship game. Kearney won’t compete in this year’s tournament, and has been replaced by WAC-foe Garden City. Garden City will open with Thomas More Prep-Marian and could posDecember 2013
sibly meet Hays High in the tournament’s championship game . While defending the Hays City Shoot-Out title is important to the Indians, they know it’s just a start to a season they believe could be very extraordinary. “I just can’t wait for it to get started. I know this team can do something special,” Windholz said. “I know we can get (to state), but I want to do something more once we get there. Maybe bring home a championship.” Austin Colbert, Sports Ink. Page 7
Du Page 8
December 2013
SPORTS INK.
ual threat Hoxie’s
NICK SCHWIEN, Sports Ink. Hoxie’s Chase Kennedy and the Indians were the No. 3 seed at state in Class 1A Division I last season before they were upset by Stockton in the first round. The Indians finished the season with a 20-4 record.
Sports Ink.
December 2013
File photo, Sports Ink. Hoxie’s Kade Spresser, shown here in 2012, will be a fourth-year starter for the Indians.
Indians come at you from all directions
K
ade Spresser, an all-state selection for the Hoxie High School basketball team the last two seasons, started to have back issues in track. It’s uncertain how the injury started, but Spresser believed it came from the triple jump. Spresser cracked a vertebrae and has some bulging discs against his spine, an injury that has a long recovery time. Because of the pain, Spresser basically took the entire summer off from traveling basketball. He wore a small back brace from August to September. Spresser doesn’t play football and has spent PAGE 10 the fall trying to get Page 9
NICK SCWIEN, Sports Ink. Hoxie coach Aaron Dardis was The Hays Daily News Coach of the Year in 2012-13.
healthy and reduce the swelling. He continues to do physical therapy and is expected to get a cortisone shot to keep the muscles from getting inflamed. As of mid-November, Spresser said he plans to practice every day. “I just wish that I could be 100 percent, not have to worry about anything keeping me back my senior year,” Spresser said. “But I guess I will probably have to baby it throughout the year. It’s gotten a lot better, but it’s not fully healed yet.” Spresser’s health is the key for a talented, experienced Hoxie team that returns every player from a 20-4 team that reached the first round of the Class 1A, Division I state tournament last season. “We knew last year that whatever we did last year, we could do better this year,” senior guard Chase Kennedy said. Spresser earned first team all-area honors and Aaron Dardis was The Hays Daily News’ Coach of the Year. As well, the Hoxie girls are two-time defending state champions and delivered an undefeated season last season. The Indians, with multiple all-state players returning, including seniors Gabi Spresser and Kristina Farber and junior Carly Heim, haven’t lost to a Kansas State High School Activities Association team since Olpe in the state finals three years ago. “We did better than a lot of people expected, PAGE 12 not having any seniors at all,” Spresser said.
Camaro Enough said.
NICK SCHWIEN, Sports Ink. Guard Connor Katt, right, is another returner from an experienced Hoxie team.
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“Doing that good last year, we know that we can do better this year.” Kade Spresser, Hoxie senior “We were all juniors and sophomores. We had leaders, but as far as being confident in tough situations, it was hard. We went really far. After Christmas, we got to be pretty good, and that was pretty exciting.” The Indians return every point, including veterans Kennedy and junior guard Connor Katt. All three have played 3-on-3 together since first grade and are close friends on and off the court. The trio were key players on Hoxie’s thirdplace state team two years ago. “Doing that good last year, we know that we can do better this year,” Spresser said. “As far as going far into state and everything, we are all pretty excited, because we are all pretty close together.” However, Hoxie is expected to start late this season because of the football team. Kennedy, the quarterback, and Katt, the running back, led the Indians to a 10-1 start and the Eight Man, Division I sub-state championship game. It marked the first time Hoxie started late
since Dardis’ first season in 2005. “I am happy for the guys,” Dardis said. “I think winning is winning and learning how to compete at high levels will translate into basketball, so I hope they do well, and, of course as a basketball coach, I want them to go as far as they can, but not get hurt in the process.” Hoxie, long known for wrestling and girls’ basketball, has built football and basketball in the last five years. “It goes back to hard work and dedication,” Dardis said. “I think you can sum it up with the approach that both programs take is get a little better each day.” Coach Lance Baar won just two games in his first season before back-to-back six-win seasons, a 7-3 mark in 2012 and the breakthrough this fall. Dardis, 128-69 at Hoxie, had one state appearance before 2011. Then, he tied the best finish in Indian basketball history in ’12 before the repeat state trip a year ago.
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“I know in the back of our mind, we all have high expectations,” Dardis said. “I think what I am going to stress to the team is we have had success, but we achieved that because we were really hungry for it. So if we rest on our laurels and don’t come with the approach that we are hungry for success, and then do whatever it takes to get it, there is no guarantee that we will be able to repeat it.” Dardis believes the Indians have enjoyed some great leaders the last several years. They have taught the younger kids the right approach. Kennedy is the team’s leader in football and basketball. “He is a great kid, a great teammate, a great student, he leads by example and he is a vocal leader,” Dardis said. “Everyone on the team knows that he will always give it everything that he has and you can count on him even when the chips are down.” “I have always wanted to win, and am
willing to do whatever it takes,” Kennedy added. However, Hoxie’s ultimate success likely hinges on Spresser’s health. The brother of former standout and Kansas State University player Kendra Spresser, Kade averaged 18.2 points per contest behind an array of creative moves. “I have just watched a lot of basketball in my life,” Spresser said. “My sisters have played. I have watched them since I could remember watching them. Watching Kendra play at K-State, it just kind of opens my eyes. I am into basketball. I am into sports. My family is. I have learned to watch the game from all angles, so I can learn how to play the game better.” Kennedy was second at 15.8 and Katt third at 7.4. Juniors Tyler Ewers, Tanner Smith, Josh Heim and seniors Mitch Johnson and Tyler Kaus averaged between 4.3 and 2.7 points per contest. Spresser, the starting point guard since he was a
freshman, also led the team with 8.9 rebounds and four assists. Because of his varying talents, Spresser will often bring the ball down, but then Hoxie has multiple sets for him, too. Kennedy had three assists per game, while Kennedy, Spresser and Katt all had 55 or 56 steals. Spresser played in the spring on a traveling team based out of St. John and McPherson, and was expected to play in multiple tournaments, but was limited in the summer because of the back problem. “It was disappointing for him, because he didn’t get to do what he was looking forward to,” Dardis said. “But hopefully giving his back time to heal will pay off for him in the season and allow him to play. … It’s hard for him to sit still and not do much, but I think he has done his best, and been dedicated to rehabbing.”
File photo, Sports Ink. Six-foot-5 junior Tanner Smith is the Indians’ tallest player this season.
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EVERETT ROYER, Sports Ink. Golden Plains’ Jordan Christensen hopes to have the Bulldog girls’ back at the state tournament, where they went 2-1 last year and came away with a third-place finish. They were 22-3 for the season.
Page 14
December 2013
SPORTS INK.
keep an eye on players to watch in 2013-14
Girls Alexcia Deutscher, soph., Ellis Arguably this area’s best player, Deutscher averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and four steals per contest as a freshman for an Ellis team that finished 20-3 with a loss in sub-state to eventual 2A state champion Smith Center. She helped the Ellis girls to a school record for victories, and was second in all-MCL voting.
Carly Heim, jr., Hoxie A returning HDN All-Area selection, Heim was one of many keys for Hoxie’s second straight title in Class 1A Division I. Heim averaged 10.7 points per game in the regular season, but in the title game against perennial power Olpe, she put up 21 points and ended the season with an 11.2 scoring average to go along with 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.7 steals a night. Longtime Hoxie coach Shelly Hoyt labeled Heim the best point guard in 1A as a sophomore. She was one of three Hoxie girls to be named to the all-NWKL first team. She’ll enter her third year as a starter. Jordan Christensen, sr., Golden Plains The Golden Plains girls lost a couple starters off last year’s team that took third place in Class 1A Division I with a 22-3 record. Christensen, though, returns after leading the Bulldogs in several statistical categories. She scored 12.9 points per game, and pulled down eight boards a night. She also averaged 2.2 steals per contest. Last season, Golden Plains started 2-2 before rolling off 19 straight wins, a streak that ended with a semifinal loss in
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sometimes gets lost in the mix. Rath set a school record last season for assists per game with 6.4, and is playing in her final season at Oakley for her father, coach Randall Rath, who announced his resignation from coaching in Oakley, which takes effect at the end of the school year. Mattison Dusin, sr., Phillipsburg The Phillipsburg girls had a rare losing season by going 9-11 and losing in the first round of the Class 3A sub-state, but Dusin was a load to handle in order to knock the Panthers down. Dusin scored 14.7 points and grabbed 10.5 rebounds a night, as well as managed 2.2 steals. Kristin Huser, sr., Victoria Huser averaged right around 16 points per game in helping the Knights to an 11-11 record. Huser will enter her fourth year on varsity. She was an HDN All-Area third-team selection last season.
File photo, Sports Ink. Russell’s Janna Schulte goes up for a shot during last season’s 3A state tournament in Hutchinson.
the state tournament. Kristina Farber, sr., Hoxie Farber was the Indians’ second-leading scorer all season with 11 points per night, but recorded a team best 4.8 steals, and looks to do the same. Hoxie has played in every title game since Class 1A split into Division I and Division II. Gabi Spresser, sr., Hoxie The leading scorer for the Indians’ in their dominant 2012-13 season, Spresser scored 11.5 points per game heading into the state tournament. Among Hoxie’s returning players, junior Lexi Schamberger and sophomore Terran Hoyt also could go off on any given night for a balanced club. Marlee Rath, jr., Oakley Laura Dennis was the recipient of many honors at the end of last season, and as a senior will no doubt receive much attention for Oakley. What Rath does, though,
Shayna Rogge, jr., Triplains-Brewster Part of a talented, young roster, Rogge led the Titans to a 14-8 mark a year ago as a sophomore. She chipped in 16.8 points per night and pulled down 8.2 rebounds per game, second best on the team. Rogge, also an accomplished hurdler and triplejumper, stands 5-foot-8. Fallyn Handley, sr., Palco Handley had just a slight edge in leading the Palco girls in scoring a season ago in the Roosters’ 12-9 campaign. Handley scored 11.4 points per game as one of three Palco girls to average double digits. She also led the team with 10.4 rebounds per contest for the double-double, and recorded a team-best 2.3 steals per contest. Janna Schulte, sr., Russell Schulte, the daughter of Russell coach Frank Schulte, was the Broncos’ secondleading scorer a year ago. Also an accomplished golfer and a senior, Schulte will be relied on to take the reins. She was a second punch last season behind Madison Beagley’s 16.3 points per contest. Schulte averaged 9.8 points per game, but led the Broncos with 6.7 boards per game. Russell made its first trip to state PAGE 15 last season since 1974.
Jessica Princ, sr., Osborne One of two similar threats for the Bulldogs, Princ is the second-leading scorer coming back for Osborne and the top rebounder. The Bulldogs finished 16-6 with Princ scoring 12.6 points and grabbing 7.6 rebounds per game. She shot 73 percent from the free throw line and was a 50 percent field goal shooter. Colbie Decker, sr., Smith Center Decker is the top returning player from a team that won longtime coach Nick Linn his first state championship. The Lady Red finished 24-2, and Decker was the only player outside of HDN Player of the Year Sydney Benoit to average double digits. She scored 11.6 points per game, and was second behind Benoit in rebounding at 6.6 per night. Boys Brady Werth, jr., Hays High At 6-foot-7, Werth is an intimidating figure on the court. As a sophomore, he led the Indians in scoring at 14.6 points per game en route to player of the year honors in the WAC. Werth also brought in 10 rebounds a game and shot nearly 60 percent from the field, helping lead Hays High to a 14-8 record. The Indians fell to eventual Class 5A runner-up Lansing in the first round of the state playoffs. Lane Clark, sr., Hays High Clark is one of many talented and experienced guards for the Indians. Last season he was second to only Werth in scoring, averaging more than 7 points per game. Clark led Hays
High in steals (42) and 3-point field goals made (29). He should once again be a major factor for a team with ideas of a state championship on its mind. Shane Jones, sr., Hill City Jones is a returning all-MCL secondteamer, and HDN All-Area third-teamer. Jones was Hill City’s second-leading scorer on a team that finished 14-8. Hadley Gillum, sr., Plainville Several games in a 15-6 season, Gillum had the Plainville team on his shoulders and it showed up in his final numbers. A returning HDN All-Area first-teamer, Gillum put up 18.3 points, 14 rebounds, 2.8 assist and 2.7 blocked shots per night. At 6-foot-4, Gillum was a 50 percent field goal shooter. Plainville was 7-2 when Gillum reached at least 20 points. Kade Spresser, sr., Hoxie A returning HDN All-Area first-team selection, Spresser averaged 18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds as a 6-foot-1 junior. Spresser has dealt with an offseason injury but hopes to be on the floor for a Hoxie team hoping to make it back to the Class 1A Division I
Clayton Riedel, sr., Hays High Riedel missed three games last season for Class 2A Trego Community, but managed to average 19.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals in the 18 games he did play for the Golden Eagles. Now, like football, Riedel makes the jump up to 5A and looks to impact the Indians’ basketball team as well. Darius Herl, jr., Oakley One of three Oakley players to average double figures for the Plainsmen last season, and one of two of those guys returning, Herl scored 13.6 points per game, and dished out 3.3 assists. He also grabbed 3.9 rebounds. Most of his assists went to since-graduated Stephen Llewellyn (13.1 points) and Austin Baalman (12.2 points, 11.2 rebounds), who also returns. Jaden Williams, jr., Stockton Part of a twin-tower package for a young Stockton team, Williams averaged 11.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per night, but suffered a knee injury in the semifinals of the Class 1A Division I state tournament in Emporia. Jordan Gottschalk, sr., TMP While Cameron Fouts led the Monarchs in points last season (9.9 ppg), Gottschalk was arguably the most important piece for a Thomas More Prep-Marian team that finished 8-12. Gottschalk scored 8.7 points per contest while also leading the team in rebounds at 6.7 a game. Gottschalk, along with Fouts, were both named MCAA second team selections, and will play an even greater role this season with Shane Zimmerman, a MCAA first team selection a year ago, having graduated. Chase Kennedy, sr., Hoxie The other half of Hoxie’s dynamic duo, starting guard Kennedy averaged 15.8 points, three assists and 4.87 rebounds per game.
Plainville’s Hadley Gillum
Page 16
state tournament. Hoxie was 20-3 as the No. 3 seed before it lost to Stockton in the first round.
December 2013
Kyle Patrick, jr., Otis-Bison Following a standout sophomore season for Class 1A Division II state qualifier Hutchinson Central Christian, Patrick moved to Otis-Bison as his father, Erin Patrick, accepted the boys’ basketball position. Coach Patrick coached the Central Christian girls for seven seasons. Patrick is 6-foot-4 and averaged 14 points per game, and should be a welcomed entity for a team that was 7-15 last year.
SPORTS INK.
Ink. BLOTS
A spattering from NW Kansas
I
always like neat stories behind names. I am named after Conor Larkin from Leon Uris’ book Trinity. Many people spell my name wrong because Conor is the Irish spelling and Connor is the American spelling. Earlier, I asked Natoma junior quarterback Triton Frye about his unique name. Frye said the name came from King Triton of Little Mermaid, his parent’s favorite movie. - Conor
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more physical runner than Osborne senior fullback Maverick LeRock —a fitting name. LeRock can run around defenders, but would rather run right through them. Standing right on the sidelines for Osborne’s firstround playoff game against Madison, I witnessed firsthand his powerful style. LeRock got free on the sideline, and a poor corner from Madison was on the receiving end of a hard run. The Madison defender flew nearly six yards back through the air as LeRock barely was forced out of bounds on the run. - Nick
W
allace County and Victoria have been the area’s most consistent eight-man teams during the last eight seasons. The Wildcats have made the playoffs every year under eighth-year coach Kevin Ayers, while Victoria carries a 12-year postseason run, currently best among eight-man teams. Wallace County coach Kevin Ayers and Victoria coach Doug Oberle are good friends and have served together on all-star team squads. Yet the teams have matched up just once in Ayers’ tenure. On Nov. 10, 2006, Victoria defeated Wallace County 64-20 in the playoffs.
This season, the Wildcats and Knights won’t match up again, but the Knights were a win shy of a 2006 rematch. - Conor
E
veryone should make at least one attempt this winter to get out and see the
ACIDIZING
CEMENT
TOOL RENTAL
Fort Hays State University women’s and men’s basketball teams. Fans will be in for a treat to see the run both teams make this winter. The women return just about every key cog from last season and if nothing else, go to watch the play of Tiger sophomore Craig Nicholson, the reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year. - Nick
L
ike sweet dunks? Do yourself a favor and look up Jeremiah Ingram from Colby Community College on YouTube. Or better yet, go see him in person. - Nick
MICHAELA GIRARD Logan senior
Girard was a key contributor for the Logan High School volleyball team that made it to the Class 1A Division II state volleyball championships in Hays. Girard helped Logan collect a 2-1 record in pool play and advance to the second day of competition where the Trojans eventually finished in fourth place.
On the Horizon
Dec. 5 -7 — The annual Hays City Shoot-Out high school basketball tournament, a three-day event that highlights both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams from Hays High School and TMPMarian. Dec. 5 — The Fort Hays State University basketball teams open MIAA play at the University of Central Missouri in Warresnburg, Mo., a powerhouse clash on the men’s side. Dec. 7 - Many prep wrestling teams in their first action of the season. Hoxie hosts its invitational that features four
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Class 3-2-1A — Norton (1), Plainville (2), Oakley (4) and Oberlin (5).
Fighting the numbers T
he Wheatland-Grinnell High School ing good kids and strong kids, but I truly football team opened the 2013 season believe that each one of these kids will be with 12 players. Coach Tyler Flavin led the better by going through this later on in Thunderhawks to 6-3 and 5-4 records the life.” previous two seasons and, while the proThe Thunderhawk girls’ programs are gram had a small roster, produced plenty thriving, including a fourth-place finish in of talent and experience. In preseason, volleyball last season, a regional track title Flavin thought Wheatland-Grinnell could last spring and a third-place finish in cross compete for the second playoff spot in country this fall. Wheatland-Grinnell has Eight Man Division II, 36 girls and 19 boys in high THE CLOSER District 6 behind Walschool. lace County. Flavin called the injuries However, senior “unfortunate” and someCraig Prewo, the thing he never saw comteam’s best offensive ing, but that “character is lineman, went down revealed when times are with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in tough.” First, Flavin wants to teach his the first 10 practices and never played a athletes life-long skills. Secondly, he wants down. Junior Nathan Goetz, an end and the Thunderhawks to have a good work defensive back, suffered a head injury and ethic and learn how to sacrifice and help can’t play football again. In two weeks, the out teammates. Thunderhawks went from 12 players to 10. “Sometimes they are going to produce Wheatland-Grinnell opened the season wins and sometimes you are going to be with five losses, all by at least 28 points. in situations like we are in right now and Freshman running back Corey Prewo they are not,” Flavin said. “That’s a prodstarted to play well, then suffered a uct of life.” season-ending injury in Week 6 against If a school is too small in Class 2-1A, it Logan-Palco. can drop down to Eight Man Division I. If “Lost some really important kids that it’s too small for Eight Man Division I, it we really weren’t able to afford to lose,” can drop down to Eight Man Division II. If Flavin said. it’s one of the smallest Eight Man Division Midway through the Logan-Palco conII schools, the margin is slim. test, the Thunderhawks played with just They can join with another school, or seven players. Then, another one got hurt. not have a program, a choice Bern made With the game out of reach, Flavin dethis year. Many coaches understand there’s cided to end the 60-22 loss in the fourth going to be waves of talent. When the quarter instead of playing six on eight. good talent comes, the squad still has to The team eventually forfeited two of its stay healthy. last three games, played just seven contests “When they see the talent level drop, and went 0-9. (coaches) get out, and that’s the wrong Wheatland-Grinnell’s problem has reason to get out,” Flavin said. “If you are become more common with northwest coaching, the real reason is to teach young Kansas schools — and raises several quesmen and women.” tions for the future of multiple programs. The 16 smallest schools went 44-45 As well, Flavin understands that coaching this season and included Natoma (5-4), at one of Kansas’ 16 smallest schools can Northern Valley (5-4), Triplains-Brewster bring challenges, but also teaching mo(6-3), Weskan (7-2) and Beloit-St. John’s/ ments. Tipton (11-0). Flavin, in his seventh year as head footFour of those five teams experienced at ball coach and 10th as girls’ basketball least one season of one win or fewer in the coach, has taken a positive approach on last four years. the tough circumstances. The other, Northern Valley, hasn’t made “Especially at a small school and espethe playoffs in eight seasons and just cially at a Division II, a lot of times you graduated a talented senior class. Weskan get caught up in the wins and the losses had just 14 players, but managed to stay and the wins and the losses defining who healthy and reach the second round of the you are, in many ways they do,” Flavin playoffs. St. John’s-Tipton has remained said. “But it’s about creating and buildhealthy. Dighton, with just 12 players,
conor
NICHOLL
went 6-5 and reached the second round of the playoffs. Northern Valley and Natoma went through struggles when key players got hurt. Wilson, another one of those smallest schools, went 1-8 this fall and had to forfeit its Week 9 contest against Victoria. For some, such as Logan-Palco and Argonia-Attica, two schools formed together for the first time this fall. Schools lose home games and, to a certain extent, identity. But it produced success. Logan-Palco went a surprising 5-4, so did Argonia-Attica. Those four teams were a combined 4-32 as separate squads in 2012. Wheatland-Grinnell could form a co-operative agreement with Quinter, but Flavin has already talked with his athletic director. The Thunderhawks never approached Quinter and have a set schedule for the next two years. Numbers are expected to improve. “Successes will come and you have to be able to endure the struggles and get through the struggles,” Flavin said. “When the triumphs occur, it makes them all more rewarding when they do occur because you have done them the right way.”
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