Sports Ink., December 2012

A magazine focusing on all things sports in northwest Kansas

The

e t o y o C o t o g

INK.

December 2012

Sam McKinney The Hays Daily News

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What’s Morning run up?

A look inside this issue

6 A link to the past

Friendship formed through piece of

baseball memorabilia.

8

Do-it-all Coyote

Weskan’s Sam McKinney guided the Coyote football team to a solid fall. now he turns his sights toward the winter season.

13

Moving up?

The Hays High School girls’ basketball team is looking to continue its upward climb.

Everett Royer, Sports Ink. Wheatland-Grinnell cross country runner Taylor Tustin finishes second at the Class 1A state cross country meet in late October at Wamego Country Club.

Cover illustration by Steven Hausler shausler@dailynews.net Sports Ink. contributors: Nick McQueen nmcqueen@dailynews.net Conor Nicholl cnicholl@dailynews.net Everett Royer sportsink@dailynews.net Steven Hausler shausler@dailynews.net Klint Spiller kspiller@dailynews.net Chelsy Lueth clueth@dailynews.net

Volume 2, Issue 10 Sports Ink. is published and distributed by The Hays Daily News. Copyright © 2012 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.

Lay off the refs, people

I

t never ends.

“What a terrible call!” “Are you blind?” “Call it both-” Just stop it. I’m sick of it.

Every sporting event I’ve ever attended has had these phrases screamed at referees at one time or another (Well, at least sports that have officials).

I’ve even heard “Call it both ways,” yelled by fans on opposing sidelines, further adding to the ridiculousness of it all.

While on occasion these jeers are warranted, usually they are not.

It seems like every construction worker, attorney and daycare provider in attendance all of a sudden morphs into a super hero with hawk-like vision, encyclopedia-like knowledge of the rules and the ability to rewind plays in their minds to know exactly what the officials missed or inappropriately penalized.

It was bad enough during fall sports, but it is only going to get worse in the For Starters winter as fans are packed into gymnasiums and their screams echo off the walls.

Believe it or not, unless you are a referee yourself, the officials actually know more about the rules than you do. They are paid to practice their craft. They study the rules. They review the rules.

While mistakes are made with any job, referees’ mistakes are not made nearly as often as fans in the stands believe.

Follow the Golden Rule. Put yourselves in their shoes and treat them like you would want to be treated.

If you would not want to hear strangers screaming constant criticisms at you at your job, then don’t spew it at them. It’s that simple.

It’s natural to complain about calls, but it’s important to remember every fan is partial.

Fans become attached to teams. Fans are hesitant to look for their own team’s mistakes and are quick to point out even the slightest of infractions by their team’s opponents.

It’s natural to be biased as a fan.

Referees are not. They do not care whether one team wins or loses. They are there to do their jobs.

These men and women take time from their personal lives and full-time jobs to officiate these prep and collegiate games, and for the most part, they do a darn good job of it.

They don’t deserve the abuse.

Remember, sports are meant to be fun. It’s no place for derisive comments, especially in high school athletics.

If you truly believe you would do a better job than the referees on the field, then I suggest you apply for training to become one.

Otherwise, keep it to yourself.

Put yourself here

Klint

Spiller

Page 4

December 2012

SPORTS INK.

Who’s That?

H YSMED ORTHOPEDIC INSTITUTE

Notable performances in northwest Kansas Kelsey Hale

Hale, a junior at Weskan High School, helped guide the Coyotes to a fourth-place finish in the Class 1A Division II state volleyball tournament in late October at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The 6-foot-1 Hale suffered an ankle injury in a firstround match against Southern Coffey County, but came back to help her team earn a victory and spot in the second day. Hale was named to the Kansas Volleyball Association AllState first team in Class 1A Division II, released earlier this month. She was one of five juniors and two seniors to earn first-team honors.

Blake McVicker

McVicker, a senior lineman for the Ness City High School football team, played a key role for the Eagles, especially on defense. McVicker led the Eagles in tackles heading into the Eight-Man Division I state championship earlier this month, collecting 102 tackles (63 solo) and 6.5 sacks through 12 games.

Ness City’s defense allowed just 62 points heading into the state title game. Four times during the season, McVicker recorded double-digit tackles.

Winter Polivka

A sophomore for the Oberlin-Decatur Community High School cross country team, Polivka earned a third-place medal in late October at the Class 2A state championships in Wamego. Polivka finished in 15 minutes, 40 seconds to take home the bronze medal, leading the Red Devils to a fourthplace team finish with 155 points. Polivka was a little more than eight seconds back of state champion Jenna Farris of Lincoln (15:31.90).

Cory Keehn

Keehn, a sophomore on the Fort Hays State University cross country team, qualified for the NCAA Division II national run by finishing third in the Central Regional earlier this month.

Keehn covered the 10K course in Joplin, Mo., at the regional in 30 minutes, 22 seconds and was scheduled to compete in nationals Nov. 17. Keehn is from Soldier, Kan., is a Jackson Heights High School graduate.

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.

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Chelsy Lueth, Sports Ink Victor Klein holds a baseball with his signature given to him by Cody Pfaff, a collector who came across the ball at an auction last April.

Link to the past, present

C

Klein, right, and Pfaff have formed a friendship after Pfaff presented him with the ball.

Page 6

ody Pfaff is a longtime collector of sports memorabilia, especially with items that have northwest Kansas ties. Last April, Pfaff was at an auction in Hays. He was more interested in a card and a baseball signed

by Monte Basgall, a Pfeifer native who was involved with the major leagues for decades, mainly with the Pittsburg Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, another baseball came with the Basgall items. The ball was wrapped in plastic and

December 2012

kept in great shape and had signatures from a semi-pro team based out of Pfeifer from the 1940s.

The squad played many teams from surrounding towns, such asSchoenchen, Catharine and Victoria.

Cody and his wife, Heather, wanted to find out if any of the ballplayers who signed their names on the ball were still alive.

The ball had several German names, including Stramel and Jacobs. “There has got to be something with this,�

Heather Pfaff said.

SPORTS INK.

They put an inquiry on Nex-Tech Classifieds. A few people responded to a couple names on the ball. However, all the information dealt with deceased players. They found one name — Victor Klein — and discovered he was alive.

They kept working and had a breakthrough via Heather’s mom, Shari Dreiling, who works at St. John’s (now Via Cristi) Rest Home in Hays. Klein is currently at the home. Heather’s mom talked with Klein and discovered it was the same person who had signed the ball. Klein barely remembers the team or what role he played. However, another name on the ball is Alvin ‘Pinky’ Klein, the star pitcher and one of Klein’s deceased older brothers.

Victor, 86, was shocked and excited to see his brother’s name on the ball and remembers him well. When he dies, Victor has made plans to give the ball to Pinky’s son, Rick, who lives in Wichita, to keep in the family name.

“Just put a sparkle in his eye,” Cody Pfaff said.

The Pfaffs presented the ball to Klein and have formed a friendship with him and his family, including his daughter, Bonnie Trilck and son-inlaw, Ron, who live in Hays. Several times, the Pfaffs have come to the home and talked with Klein, who is constantly smiling and energetic when they stop by. The ball resides in Klein’s room next to his TV and family photos. It remains the only object that Klein has from his childhood. On a recent visit, Pfaff gave Klein a carrying case to put the ball in. Pinky Klein was talented enough to go to the Minor Leagues, but never played further.

Klein remembers his brother as a “easy come, easy go,” a “good guy,” and redheaded.

“He was lazy,” Victor said with a smile. “He could have made the big boys.”

Trilck has thanked the Pfaffs for finding the ball and bringing joy to her dad. Trilck said if she found a ball and didn’t know anything about it, she probably would have thrown it away.

“I researched those names, minor leagues, couldn’t find anything like that,” Cody Pfaff said. “…You can put a price on a professional ballplayer.

There is a value, there is a book value.

But there is no book value (on the ball).”

Conor Nicholl, Sports Ink

Victor Klein, 86, resides at Via Cristi rest home in Hays.

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Capab

Page 8

December 2012

Sports Ink.

ble Coyote Weskan’s Sam McKinney can do it all

Sports Ink.

With McKinney at quarterback, the Weskan football team won more games in 2012 than it had the previous four years combined.

W

eskan High School senior quarterback Sam McKinney is known for his faith and leadership. He earns respect from teammates and opponents. His coach, Marc Cowles, is effusive with praise for the signal caller.

McKinney is one of his team’s bigger players and is larger than many eight-man quarterbacks. He is effective at running a zone-read spread option offense. McKinney can run like a fullback if needed and also complete a high-percentage of passes.

This fall, he led the Coyotes to an 8-2 record, the program’s best season in many years.

“Everything that he does athletically does not compare at all to what he does outside of it,” Cowles said. “His faith is tremendous and his leadership is tremendous.”

Sound familiar?

McKinney is a high school version of Kansas State University quarterback Collin Klein and New York Jets’ quarterback Tim Tebow, signal callers known for their faith and running a spread offense well. Klein is a Heisman candidate for a K-State team on the verge of playing for its first national championship, while Tebow won a PAGE 10 Heisman trophy at the University of Florida.

story by Conor

nicholl

photos by steven

hausler

Decmeber 2012

Page 9

McKinney threw for 1,402 yards this season and 30 touchdowns compared to two interceptions as Weskan finished 8-2, falling in the first round of the Eight-Man Division II state playoffs.

McKinney is fine with the comparisons and respects both athletes. A longtime Wildcat fan, McKinney is expecting to attend Kansas State next year. He already has attended the church that Klein goes to Manhattan — on a day when Klein also was at the service.

“Collin Klein is probably my favorite

college football player right now,” McKinney said. “With his faith and how he plays and everything. It’s pretty cool to see a guy with faith leading K-State, my favorite team.”

McKinney said he probably looks up to Tebow even more. McKinney has followed Tebow since he was at Florida

and watched Tebow deliver several fourth-quarter comebacks with the Broncos last season.

“A lot of NFL guys, you can look at their lives and think, ‘OK, football was the center of their life, but with how good Tebow is in high school and college and some in the NFL, I can still

look at him and say, ‘God is the center of his life,’” McKinney said. “It’s so cool to see. In the NFL, he wasn’t as good, but he was able to do amazing things.”

••• This season, Weskan enjoyed a fourwin improvement with a large senior class. Many players, like McKinney, had started since their freshman years.

It marked a big turnaround for the Coyotes, who went winless ’08 and ’09 before a two-win season in 2010 and a 4-5 mark last year.

“They battled, and they kind of came together,” Cowles said.

“In schools our size, being on the smaller end of those, when you get two classes together that will work as hard as these guys did as a group, then good things happen.”

This year, McKinney completed 69 of 138 passes for 1,402 yards with a 30/2 TD/INT ratio. He also rushed for 334 yards and nine scores. Junior Hayden Walker emerged as one of the state’s top wideouts with 37 catches for 937 yards and 20 scores.

“The composure that he has, the ability to dissect a defense with his arm or making reads on the option – he is a highly intelligent kid and he has got a good arm,” Wallace County-Sharon Springs coach Kevin Ayers said. “He has got some good receivers around him.”

Defensively, he collected 47 tackles and a team-high four sacks as an end.

The 6-foot-4, 170-pound McKinney is bigger than all but three Weskan players, and Cowles said the team used

File photo, Sports Ink. McKinney competes in the 3,200-meter relay during the Quinter Invitational last Spring.

the quarterback much in the same way Kansas State uses Klein, a former wide receiver turned quarterback.

Klein, among other strengths, runs the offense well and rarely turns the ball over. McKinney, a former end who turned took over as quarterback before his junior year, finished his career with a 44/6 TD/INT ratio.

“It shows you his intelligence, and staying within the scheme, not trying to do too much, not forcing things,” Ayers said. “He is just an intelligent kid and he is a great kid off the field. Being only 11 miles apart (between Sharon Springs and Weskan), I know the Wes-

kan kids well. They are great kids. It’s a very respectful rivalry and I am thankful for that. It makes it a lot more fun.

I see Sam at track meets and talk with him, and the kid is just a class act all the way around.”

In basketball, McKinney looks to lead a similar jump on an 11-11 team.

Weskan averaged 43 points a game as a team, but McKinney collected 19 points, 11.6 points and 3.7 blocks, all Coyote-highs.

McKinney also is considered one of the state’s top basketball players.

PAGE 12

However, McKinney’s lasting imprint came after the team’s final game, a 58-12 first-round road playoff loss to Thunder Ridge.

The teams gathered together and McKinney led a prayer.

“They had really, really good sportsmanship,” senior fullback Trevor Lowe said. “Like the best we had seen all year. It was really good.”

Weskan had prayed together at the end of the games before, but it marked a new experience for Thunder Ridge.

“That the first time we have ever had a player ask us to do that,” Thunder Ridge coach Jerry Voorhees said. “I was very impressed with the young man.

A great young man. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. Did a good job there.

He did a good job tonight. Heck of a football player.”

After the loss to Thunder Ridge, Cowles sat with his longtime assistant, Ty See, a friend for many years. The two coaches had played ball together since third and fourth grade through high school.

Cowles wasn’t upset about the loss; he was just more disappointed the season was over and the team couldn’t enjoy another day together.

McKinney is wrapped up by a host of Thunder Ridge tacklers during the first-round “We get after each other and you can game of the Eight-Man Division II playoffs in Kensington. yell at each other, but yet, play is over, it’s over,” Cowles said. “Game is over, it’s over. Then, we are back in school, • • • out that I need to go all out in my (spirienjoying, being friends. I tell them all the McKinney is a common name in Weskan, tual) walk everyday,” he said. time, the best friends that they will ever one of the state’s 10 smallest schools – but McKinney follows many verses, includhave in life are in that huddle, are on this a school known for ing Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans team. Because I producing state-qualI have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to know. Because ity teams annually in prosper you and not to harm you, plans to ne thing would mine are. Ty volleyball and girls’ give you hope and a future.” also pray for is that See, we played basketball. McKinney’s “I have experienced plenty of struggles, football tograndfather was the but it’s easy to see how God has drawn od would draw us gether for all of first McKinney who me nearer to him through my struggles,” our careers.” nearer to him because came to Weskan. Sam’s McKinney said. “My faith has been coming During a dad grew up in Wesfrom him ultimately. … When I got out into he is the most team huddle in kan before he attended the world, I can tell already through a lot of Kensington, juKansas State. Sam’s my doubts, a lot of my struggles that I am important thing nior linebacker two older sisters, Hilgone through, I am stronger and my roots Tyler Compton lary and Hollie, starred are stronger.”

Sam McKinney said he liked for the Coyotes. HilFor a while, the Coyote team has prayed Weskan senior how close-knit lary played volleyball after games. This season, it was player initithe team had at Tabor College. ated. No matter if the team won or lost, become.

Sam grew up in a home where they would McKinney knew prayer was important.

“Those are the guys you call on,” regularly go to church. His parents and Usually, McKinney led the prayer. He would Cowles said. “Through death, through youth group played a key role in McKintypically pray for Weskan’s team, the oppodivorce, through whatever, hard times. ney’s faith. As well, he said God has placed nent’s team and to help heal injuries.

So hopefully, those guys understand that people in his life who have helped him “One thing I would also pray for is that the people they are going to count on all overcome obstacles and struggles faced daily God would draw us nearer to him, because the rest of their lives were within that 15 by high school students. he is the most important thing.” McKinney (player team) tonight.”

“I think over the years, I have come to find said.

“O

G

I

,

.”

Page 12

December 2012

SPORTS INK.

Will they After a significant

improvement in 2011-12, the Indian girls look to continue the climb

Keep going?

F

File, Sports Ink. TOP: Hays High’s Taylor Herman defends a pass in a game last season. Herman is one of the Indians’ top returners in 2012-13. ABOVE: The Indians Katelyn Schumacher puts up a shot last season.

Sports Ink.

or nearly a decade, girls basketball at Hays High School was mired in mediocrity.

The Indians experienced six losing seasons in a row and an eight-year Western Athletic Conference title drought dating back to 2002-03.

Then last year, led by the WAC Player of the Year, forward Paige Lunsford, the Indians put together one of the best seasons the school has seen in nine years, going 17-5 and undefeated in league play to win the WAC title. But now, following the graduation of Lunsford and

December 2012

point guard/shutdown defender Hanna Pfannenstiel, Hays High is stuck in a pivotal position.

Will the Indians pick up where they off, fall back into the losing ways of the past or land somewhere in between?

For a couple of the top returners from last season, the latter two aren’t options.

“I think we have higher expectations now, so we are going to try to fulfill them,” said senior forward Katelyn Schumacher, the team’s top returning scorer from last season and only returning PAGE 14 all-WAC player.

Page 13

“If not better,” said senior forward Taylor Herman when asked if Hays High would repeat last season’s 17-5 finish. “You always have to come out with a positive attitude.”

Largely, the Indians aren’t much of a different team. Hays High has seven returning seniors and six of its top eight scorers back.

However, the losses of Lunsford and Pfannenstiel could leave the Indians with a gaping void to fill.

Lunsford accounted for a third of Hays High’s offense, leading the team with 15.1 points per game last season.

She also expanded her game by being more of a ball handler, contributing 4.7 assists per game along with 2.6 steals and 5.6 rebounds.

“Paige should have been a 22- or 23point per game person, but she realized it was a team effort,” Maska said. “Maybe one more pass makes for an easier shot and her assist ratio went up.”

Maska said he doesn’t expect any one person to make up for Lunsford’s output.

“I don’t know if one individual is going to make or break us, but if they are willing to play hard and improve on what they are good at and play together, it should make for some exciting basketball again,” Maska said.

Pfannenstiel wasn’t as prolific as Lunsford, but her ball handling and defensive abilities will be missed, Maska said.

Ball handling could be a weakness for the Indians. Hays High struggled in that facet last season, as only two players had more assists than turnovers — and neither were guards.

As a result, Maska said the Indians will deploy a forward-heavy lineup and likely utilize a three-post offense with Herman, Schumacher and senior Emily Braun.

The Indians will need to have guards emerge.

Hays High’s top returners are seniors Janae Gagnon and Megan Bird.

Gagnon scored 4.9 points per game and posted a 0.5-to-1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio — the best of any returning guard who played varsity last season.

Bird scored only 2.2 points per game, but was an effective shooter, making 38.5 percent of her shots from the 3-point line and 72.2 percent from the free throw line — both team highs for players who participated in 19 or more Page 14

File photo, Sports Ink. Indian coach Kirk Maska, enters his fourth season at the helm of the program in 201213.

games.

“We have people to fill shoes,” Herman said. “I don’t think it will be that big of a deal.”

Maska said the key to the Indian girls’ resurgence was consistency.

For years in Hays High girls’ sports, the coaching carrousel has kept turning and turning.

From 2006-2009, the Indians saw three different girls’ basketball coaches. This has been a common occurrence in volleyball as well. Volleyball has seen six head coaches in eight seasons.

Maska, now in his fourth year at the helm of the Indians, has established a program.

“Coaching changes, changing offenses,” Maska said. “They saw it in volleyball. They were seeing it in basketball.

It’s tough to change ways you do things every year.”

Maska said the school, community, coaches and players need to become invested in basketball, and so far, he said that has happened.

“Believe in the girls and they’ll start believing in themselves,” Maska said.

After a successful season, Schumacher said she’s noticed a culture change since she transferred to Hays High after her freshman year.

December 2012

“I think we have higher expectations now, so we are going to try to fulfill them,” Schumacher said. “It makes practice harder and makes us want to be better.”

The girls set three goals for this season: win the Hays City Shoot-Out, defend their WAC title and advance past sub-state.

Last season, the Indians only accomplished one of those things. Hays High lost twice in the Shoot-Out and started the season 3-3 before reeling off wins in 14 of its next 15, and in its final game of the season, Hays High fell 5143 to Newton in sub-state, ending its season as well as a nine-game winning streak.

This year, Maska said it is important to try and improve upon the bookends of their season.

“I’m hoping the girls did enough in the off-season that we are in midseason form to start the season instead of waiting till mid-season to get in that form,” he said.

Maska said his team just needs to find players to fill the leadership roles left by their departed seniors.

“Every team needs them, and every team has to have them,” he said.

“We’ve got seven seniors. I don’t care if it’s a junior that steps up and takes the lead role. We need someone to do that.”

Klint Spiller, Sports Ink. SPORTS INK.

Who you might want to keep an eye on in the 2012-13 basketball season

Boys Thatcher Brown, Ellis Brown, a 6-5 senior, averaged 8.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game for Ellis last season, helping the Railers to a 13-9 record. Ellis has a new and former coach on its side this season as Chris Rorabaugh takes over after spending the last two seasons in Plainville. Rorabaugh coached at Ellis for 18 seasons before retiring in 2007.

Colin Foos, Ness City Foos is the top returning player for a Ness City team that finished 20-4 and lost in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament last season.

Josh Keltz, Cheylin Keltz, a 6-8 senior, had his fair share of double-doubles as a junior for an 11-11 Cougar team, notching double-digit rebounds in nine games, averaging 8.2 boards per night, while dumping in 9.3 points per outing. Keltz is the top returning scorer for Cheylin.

Sean Newlan, Phillipsburg While Phillipsburg picked up just eight wins last season, Newlan was a go-to guy each time out. The 6-2 guard had five games where he scored at least 20 points, and scored in double digits in all but three games. He also led the team as a junior in rebounds (7.8) and was second in assists (1.9).

James Peterson, Rawlins County Peterson, now a 6-5 junior, was Rawlins County’s top scorer a year ago at 14.6 points per night, and was the 12-9 Buffaloes’ third-leading rebounder (4.2). He also recorded a team-best 1.4 steals and second-best 2.4 assists per game.

Clayton Riedel, Trego The long-armed 6-3 junior was able to do good things as a sophomore for a 9-13 Eagle team. Riedel scored 13.9 points per game, and had 43 blocked shots to go along with 190 rebounds and 22 steals. Riedel is one of two returners, along with John Griffith (13.0), to average in double figures.

Brady Werth, Hays High Just a freshman last season, Werth stepped into a big role for the Indians, who finished 6-15. But Werth, at 6-7, dumped in 7 points per night and led the Indians in rebounding with 6 per game. He was a 57 percent field goal shooter as well.

The Indians return their top scorer in Bixenman, a 6-1 point guard. He averaged 10.6 points per game last season, while hitting 35 percent of his 3-pointers. His season garnered him all-WAC first-team honors.

Jacob Brooks, Norton Brooks, a 6-3 guard, was the Bluejays second-leading scorer right around 13 points per game, while being second on the team in assists last season. He is the top returning scorer for a Bluejay team that finished 12-10. He also collected 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 5.9 rebounds a night.

Solomon Wilson, Hill City With its top two scorers graduated from a 17-6 squad that had just nine players, Hill City will look to piece together another solid season, and Wilson, a 5-9 guard/forward could be a key component. Wilson was Hill City’s third-leading scorer a year ago as a junior with 11.7 points per night for veteran coach Keith Riley.

Stephen Llewellyn, Oakley A 6-6 senior, Llewellyn was one of two Plainsmen last season to average a little more than 10 points per game, while grabbing 6.9 boards and averaging 1.1 blocked shots.

Koby Beougher, Stockton Beougher, 6-0, will be a senior leader on yet another young, talented Stockton squad. Beougher was one of three (the other two being then-freshmen Jaden Williams and Justin Wiltfong) to dump in at least 10 points per night for a 6-15 Stockton squad a year ago.

Girls Danica Casey, Natoma (Above) Casey, a 5-9 senior guard, is the top returning player in the area, statistically, averaging a double-double a season ago (19.7 points, 11.8 rebounds) for the 7-14 Tigers.

Heather Ruder, TMP For a 19-4 Monarch team, Ruder averaged 12.1 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1.5 rebounds, while shooting 51 percent from the floor last season.

Carly Heim, Hoxie Heim, now a sophomore, was all-state as a freshman for the Class 1A Division I state champion Indians. She returns on a young group that started two freshmen on a state-title team.

Derek Bixenman, Hays High

Sports Ink.

December 2012

Sydney Benoit, Smith Center Benoit, a 5-9 senior for the Lady Red, saw increased production last season due to injuries on the team. She’s the top returning player, statistically, averaging 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.7 steals for a 22-1 Smith Center team.

Tawni Griffey, Norton Griffey, a perennial contender in the state tennis championships in 3-2-1A, also led the Norton basketball team a season ago, scoring 12.5 points and nabbing 2.5 steals to help the Bluejays finish 9-12 in her junior campaign.

Audra Nowak, Victoria Nowack is one of two Knights, along with Kristin Huser, to return this season after averaging double figures as sophomores for a 16-7 Victoria team. Nowak averaged 11.9 points and 6.2 boards per game to lead the way.

Caitlin Miller, Osborne Miller is the top returning scorer on a Bulldog squad that struggled in 2012, but Miller scored 11.9 points per game and averaged 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.6 assists per game. Combined with a more experienced lineup, Miller could help lead Osborne to a winning season.

Mattison Dusin, Phillipsburg As a sophomore, Dusin was the second-leading scorer behind star senior Raegan Vanderplas. Dusin averaged a double-double with 11.6 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. The Panthers return two of their top five scorers from last season’s 16-6 squad: Dusin and senior Regan Bartels (10.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game).

Kelsi Smith, Lakeside Smith, now a junior, shot 55 percent from the field last season and led her team in scoring with 11.5 a game. She also was her team’s top rebounder, averaging 7.0 a game.

Alongside junior Savana Brush, the Knights will attempt to improve even more upon their 12-10 record last season.

Shayna Rogge, Triplains-Brewster As only a freshman, Rogge established herself as a dominant player in Class 1A Division II. Though her team struggled, Rogge scored 12.3 points per game and posted 12.5 rebounds per game. Rogge and junior Brittany Plummer (11.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game) are the Titans’ top returning players.

Page 15

Just a Minute with Nick McQueen

Kristina

Farber

Hoxie High School junior (Volleyball, Basketball, Track)

Sarah Farber Sister/Teammate

Shelly Hoyt Coach

Danel Stithem Teammate

What actress would you see playing her in a movie?

Jennifer Lopez (She’s got the drama thing down)

Sandra Bullock

Reese Witherspoon

On what T.V. show do you think she would be a good guest star?

“I really, honestly can’t think of one.”

Something on Animal Planet

“The Big Bang Theory”

What do you think is a perfect job for her?

Athletic trainer (she always has some injurY)

Q: What got you interested in doing sports at Hoxie?

A: Well, my sister (Rebecca) had been playing basketball for a long time. I’ve always looked up to her and my other sister (Sarah) started following in her footsteps, so I just kind of followed along the trail.

Q: You girls have been to the state volleyball tournament and placed numerous times. What is it going to take to get over the hump and win a title?

A: We start practicing, and we have that goal in our minds already. We already talked about it. We’ll just have to keep focusing on that and keep working toward that.

Q: Is there any one of the three sports (volleyball, basketball, track) that you enjoy more than the others?

A: Basketball for sure. We’ve all spent so much time working together for basketball — all together since we were little. We work so hard, so it kind of comes natural for all of us.

Q: Coming in to this season as the defending champs, do you feel as if you’re the team to beat?

A: I think so. Other people might think we are too. We kind of have a target on our backs, which we are totally ready for.

Q: Do you go into the season with the expectation that you’ll be playing for a state championship?

A: We expected that the moment we got done playing for our last state championship.

Q: Other than Hoxie, what are some of the toughest places you girls go to try and win?

A: We go to Quinter a lot, but I guess that’s kind of like a second home court, so not real tough, but we go a lot farther places this year because of the new teams

Page 16

in our league. We might not be used to some of those atmospheres, so we’ll have to adjust to that.

Q: Who are some of the teams you look forward to playing every year?

A: Oakley. It’s always good to beat them. We want to take all the tournaments to — Castle Rock, NWKL — but you have to take it game-by-game.

Q: In your mind, what has made Hoxie girls’ sports so successful through the years?

A: The reason we’re probably most successful is because we started so young. Coach (Shelly) Hoyt has put a lot of work into us and getting us to be as good as we can be. We all started in second grade and have worked together since then, and have bonded really well. We always know where each other is, and we all know our roles.

Her ability to make friends with anyone

SPORTS INK.

An artistic award

Class clown

What one word best describes her personality?

Involved

Composed

Outgoing or crazy

If she could be anyone else for one day, who do you think she would be?

Shalee Lehning (Kind of her hero)

Q: First-team all-state in volleyball, how big of an honor is that for you?

A: It feels pretty good. Volleyball has kind of always been a second to basketball, but it made me think that I might be able to do something there, too.

December 2012

Grade school teacher

If she won an award for one thing outside of sports, what would it be?

Q: Out of all the sports, what do you think Hoxie is most known for?

A: Basketball. We’re starting to get a little more known in volleyball, too, but basketball is it right now.

Q: What are practices with Coach Hoyt?

A: We do a lot of conditioning. It’s not my favorite, but we do quite a bit of that. We work a lot on getting quicker on our feet and in our reaction time.

Later, we focus more on team skills and studying the game more. We’re trying to become more students of the game instead of just going out there and playing. She focuses a lot on getting us to think about it.

Veterinarian

ON

Tina Charles

Shalee Lehning

Ink. BLOTS

A spattering from NW Kansas

Gone are the days of high-flying Adam Deterding catches. Gone are the days of David Cardinal plowing over opponents. Gone are the days of Kyler Meyers hitting ball carriers like a heat-seeking missile. The Hays High School football team will graduate 15 seniors off this squad, with most being starters. As a result, the Indians should be in rebuilding mode in 2013.

Hays High has gone 29-9 in head coach Ryan Cornelsen’s four years, and it will be intriguing to see how the Indians respond with a fresh crop of new faces in the starting lineup. The most losses Hays High has suffered in a season under Cornelsen is three.

Alex Delton was spectacular as a sophomore this season, but he definitely will need help to keep the Indians at the level at which they’ve played the last four years.

- K.S. Although many who follow high school football could have foreseen the success the Ness City football team was going to have this season, few probably would have predicted it was going to be so dominant. Heading into the Eight-Man Division I state championship game earlier this month, Ness City had allowed just 62 points all season, the lowest point total in all of eight-man football. The Eagles’ defense, highlighted by the play of linemen Tucker VonLehe and Blake McVicker and linebacker Dalton Gantz, mimics the hard-nosed defensive play that coach Chris Bamberger did himself in his playing days at Jetmore, now Hodgeman County. Probably the most impressive, though, for Ness City was Garrett Flax in the return game — 195 punt return yards in sub-state. Really? You’re going to kick it to him again?

- N.M. Heather Ruder is one of the most amazing athletes I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t matter what season it is, she’s spectacular at whatever she does. She’s an eight-time gold medalist and four-time silver medalist at state track and field. She’s finished in the top three at state cross country all four seasons (one individual title).

Now it’s time for her least heralded sport: basketball. Ruder, who scored 12.1 points per game, is the top returning player from a Monarch squad that went 19-4 last season.

-K.S.

Everett Royer, Sports Ink. Ness City football fans show their spirit as the Eagles get set to take the field against the Solomon Gorillas for the Eight-Man Division I sub-state championship game earlier this month in Ness City.

ACIDIZING

CEMENT

TREVOR LOWE

Thunder Ridge senior Lowe helped guide his team to its second straight trip to the Eight-Man Division II state football title game.

The fullback rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-22 win against Wallace County in the sub-state title game. Heading into the state championship game, Lowe rushed for 1,534 yards for the season.

swiftinc@gbta.net P.O. Box 466, Ness City, KS 67560

Office: 785.798.2300 1 Cell: 785-798-534

TOOL RENTAL

File photo, Sports Ink Smith Center coach Roger Barta retired earlier this month after 34 seasons at the helm for the Redmen. He called it quits after collecting 323 victories and eight state championships.

First encounter with a legend

L

ittle did I know my interview with Broncos in district play.

Smith Center football coach Roger Barta, whose team had just put up 415 Barta, when the Redmen lost to rushing yards and scored on all but two Sterling earlier this month, would be my possession, was quick to compliment last. each team’s hard work — a good habit At least in terms of high school posthe picked up through the years and game conversations, that is. stuck with.

But, now that I think about it, the Not being from this area and comusual postgame chat followpletely new The Closer ing trips to Redmen Country to witnessing was surprisingly familiar, a dominant and quite similar to our first wishbone ofencounter — one of countfense, I had a less meetings I’m sure Barta simple queshas forgotten through the tion: “Are you years, but one that has stuck ever going to in my head. throw the ball?”

My first opportunity to witness what Barta, without even hesitating, replied, turned into a mecca of high school foot- “you’re new.” ball was in Russell in the fall of 2000.

Indeed I was, but that statement, The Redmen, the 1999 Class 3A state although quick and to the point, was champion, put a 52-7 hurting on the a good indication of the enjoyment I

nick

McQUEEN

Page 18

December 2012

would get out of numerous Redmen games through the years. It never got old.

You could nearly script a Smith Center game, and Barta’s responses to a different variation of the same questions week in and week out, but the script would pale in comparison to hearing it straight from the man himself.

It was sort of like taking comfort in something you could count on. Win or lose, Barta had the same love for the game, and the same pride for the kids on the field.

That wasn’t something that was a product of 34 years of experience, 323 victories and eight state championships.

His dedication to the sport and regard for the athletes was more a reason for all Smith Center has accomplished.

And no one will ever be able to do it the same.

SPORTS INK.

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