2015 Winter Sports Preview

TobyMcBrideallbusinessfor Mustangsafterbusyoffseason

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

SincethelasttimeFortMorgan seniorTobyMcBridehitthewrestlingmatsatthePepsiCenter,he hasbeenmakingmanyother headlines.Theseniorwenttoa nationalwrestlingtournamentin V irginiaduringthespring,where hewonthetournamentand becameanAll-American.Before schoolgotgoing,hemadeaverbal commitmenttoplayfootballatColoradoStateafterhighschool,and helpedtheMustangsfootballteam makearunthisfalltothe3AState Semi-finalsforasecondstraight season.

Thiswrestlingseasonisjustas importantforMcBrideasishis futurewiththeRams.Afterwinningthestatetitleforasecond straightyearlastyear,McBride hasachancetobecomethefirst three-timestatechampionin schoolhistory.

Theruntostatethisyearwill comeatheavyweight,asMcBride willmoveupfromthe220-pound division.Sofar,heisofftoa strongstartinaccomplishingthe

SeeMCBRIDE,pg.3

FilePhoto /FortMorganTimes

TobyMcBridehaswonthelasttwostatetitlesinclass4Aat220pounds.Helookstobecomethefirstthree-time statechampioninschoolhistory,trailingonlyChadCox,whowonfourstraight.

grandgoalhehasforthisyear.

Andiftherewasanydebateonif McBridewouldforegowrestling tofocusonhiscollegefootball future,thosedoubtswerequickly erased.Twodaysafterthefootball losstoPuebloEastendedtheseason,McBridewasfoundinthe wrestlingroom,workinghardon hisconditioningtogetontrackfor theupcomingseason.

WeaskedMcBrideabouthis upcomingwrestlingseasonand whathewantedtoleavebehindin hisfinalyearwiththeMustangs program.

Q: Howexcitedareyouforyour senioryearofwrestling?

A: It’sprettyexciting,consideringhowweendeduplast year.Threeofourfourplacescomingback,it’sgoingtobeagood year.Weshouldhavemoreplacers withtheintensityintheroom.I thinkwe’regoingtohaveabetter year.

Q: Youwereabletorepeatasa statechampionlastyear. What’sgoingtobethekeytoget

backtostateandhaveachanceat athirdstatetitle?

A: Justnotworryingaboutit toomuch.Ineedtowinthe matchesthatIcan.It’sbasically goingtobemeandmyteammates,andthecoaches,givingme theirbest.I’mconfidenttheyall willgetmeready.

Q: Intheoffseason,youwrestledintwotournamentsand becameanAll-American.What wasthatexperiencelike,andwhat willitdoforyougoingintothis year?

A: It’scrazyhowbigitallis. Everyoneknowsyou’re

good,sothere’snounderestimatinganybody.Itwasaboutwho couldgooutthereandgetitdone. Icanbringthathereforthese guys.

Q: Isthereoneareawithyour gameyoureallywantedto workoncominginthisyear?

A: I’mreallygoingtoworkon ridingontop.Withthe heavyweights,theyarekindof hardtokeepdown,andit’salotof weighttostaydown.IfeellikeI’m tryingtomovemyfeetonbottom withmyopponents.

Q: Everyoneknowsaboutyour future,playingfootballat ColoradoStateUniversityonce yougraduate.Wasitimportantto youtocomebackandwrestlefor yoursenioryearwithcollegefootballonthehorizon?

A: FortMorganhashadone four-timestatechampion, andnothree-timechampions.It willbeagoodopportunitytoseeif I’mgoodenoughtobeFortMorgan’sonlythree-timechamp. That’swhatI’mstrivingfor,to

leavealegacyhere.

Q: Whatwouldmeanthemost toyouifyoucancloseyour wrestlingcareerwithathirdstate title?

A: Justnotlettinganybody down.MycoachessaidI coulddoit.I’mdoingitforthem, notformyself.

Q: Becauseofthefootballplayoffruninthefall,youdidnot havealotoftimeinthepreseason togetreadythisyear.What’sthe keyforyouandtheotherfootball playerstomakethequicktransition?

A: Wecouldn’ttakeanytime off.Theseasonendedona Saturday,andonMondaywewere here(inthewrestlingroom)workinghard.Thecoacheshaven’t caredthatI’vebeenoutofshape withfootball.We’vebeenworking togetinshapefastsowecanstart offwell.

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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Callusat867-6544.

TobyMcBride

FortMorgan

The2015-16FortMorganboysbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:AlexAtwood(fr.),AustinApple(fr.),DominicGarcia(jr.),TrevorForbes(so.),Luis Garcia(so.),managerDulceCampa,BrandonGodinez(so.),DonovanMoya(fr.),JonathanMarquez(so.),LaytonDeal(so.),ConnorFajarco(fr.),Noah Rojo (fr.),JahiMunoz(so.),AndrewMares(fr.),ChrisAcosta(fr.).Backrow,lefttoright:JayArmstrong(jr.),TrevorLink(sr.),ConnerShaver(sr.), DruGerken(sr.), TateKembel(jr.),TreyMcBride(so.),NateGertner(sr.),DerekBain(sr.),JimmyKeller(so.),JakeNorris(sr.),IsaacLinker(fr.),AndrewShoemaker(sr.), TrevorShurtleff(jr.),AustinBreidenbach(jr.),DawsonFrick(jr.),KaideBules(jr.),BraydenMcAlister(fr.),GraysonGarver(so.),MichaelLauck(jr.).

Mustangsarehungry

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

Comingofftheirfirstseason above.500twoyearsagoinquite sometime,theFortMorgan boysbasketballteamtookanotherstepuplastseasonasthey foundthemselvesinathree-team racefortheColorado7League title.

AbigwinoverVistaPEAK gavetheMustangscontrolof theirowndestiny,butafinal homelosstoElizabethknocked themtosecondplace.

Theteamhasnotlookedback onlastyearfortheupcoming season,onlyfocusingonwhat theteamcancontrolthisyear.

“There’salwaysmotivationfor ustogetbetter,”seniorNate Gertnersaid.

Theseasondidnotstartthe waytheteamwouldhaveliked,

asFortMorganfelltoStandley Lake41-38intheseasonopener. Fortheplayersontheteamthat playedfootball,thegamewas fourdaysaftertheirplayoffrun ended.

Despiteabigadvantageonthe glass,theMustangsshotless than30percentfromthefield, including2-for-23behindthearc.

HeadcoachChadUnreinsaid thefirstgamewastoughwith footballplayerscomingoutlate andmanynewfacesmakingthe varsityrosterthisyear,but expectstheteamtohaveanother solidseason.

“Westruggled,butweplayed hard,”Unreinsaid.“Itwasn’ta lackofeffort,justalackofexecution.Wetreatedthegamealot likeascrimmagetoworkongettingbetter,andlateinthegame wedid.”

FortMorganwillhaveto

replacesixseniorsthatgraduatedfromlastyear,includinga 1,000careerpointscorerinEric Kembel.

Theteamhadmanyyounger athletesstepuplastyear,and willbelookedontoleadthe teamthisyear.

Twoofthetopfourscorerslast yeardoreturninjuniorTate KembelandsophomoreTrey McBride.

Kembelsolidifiedthepoint guardpositionaseasonago,and McBrideanchoredtheMustangsinthepaint.

Theteamwillalsohaveseven seniorsthisyear,givingtheteam similarveteranexperienceas theyhadayearago.

“Ithinkwe’regoingtobeall right,”Kembelsaid.“We’llhave someguystofillsomerolesand helpusoutthisseason.”

SeeHUNGRY,pg.5

Remaining2015-16 schedule

December18@Sidney,NE7p.m.

December19@Brush7p.m.

January5vs.Skyviw7p.m.

January8vs.VistaPEAK7p.m.

January12@FortLupton7p.m.

January14vs.Sterling7p.m.

January15vs.Alameda7p.m.

January19vs.Elizabeth7p.m.

January22@WeldCentral7p.m.

January23@PlatteValley7p.m.

January26@Englewood7p.m.

January29@Skyview7p.m.

February2@VistaPEAK7p.m.

February5vs.FortLupton7p.m.

February9@Alameda7p.m.

February12@Elizabeth7p.m.

February16vs.WeldCentral7p.m.

February18vs.Englewood7p.m.

February26-27@State(Round1, Sweet16)

March4-5@State(Great8)

March10-12@State(FinalFour, StateChampionship)

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

FortMorgan

HUNGRY frompage4

Inthefirstgame,Unreinnamed seniorConnerShavertheplayer ofthegameafterasolidshooting nightandgoodperformanceinhis firstvarsityaction.

ApairofbigsinJakeNorrisand DerekBainwillgivetheteam somemuchneededdepthinside thisyearaswell.

AnotherkeyfortheMustangsis toplayataconsistentlevelthis year.

Unreinfelthisteamplayed extremelywellinJanuaryafter winterbreak,butdidnotplayas wellearlyandlateintheyear.

“ComingoutofChristmas break,wewereplayingreally SeeHUNGRY,pg.6

FortMorgansophomoreTreyMcBride goesupforadunkto wrapupapracticein thepreseason.

McBrideisoneoftwo leadingscorers returningfortheMustangsthiswinter.

BrandonBoles

FortMorganTimes

Ata

glance

Headcoach: Chad Unrein(7thyear)

2014-15 record: 17-7

Conference: 12-2 (2nd)

Playoffs: Roundof 32,4AState Tournament

HUNGRY frompage5

goodbasketball,”Unreinsaid. “Whenwegotinleagueplay,we playedsomeweakerteams,and ourgamekindofdroppedoff.By thetimewegottotheplayoffs,we weren’tascrispasweneededto be.That’ssomethingI’mlooking foroutofthisteam.”

Unreinalsosaidaheavyroad schedulethefirstmonthofthe seasonwouldgivetheteama goodtest.

AfterplayinginthePonderosa Tournamentlastweek,theMustangsplayedtheirfirsthome gameonDec.15againstErie,and wrapupthemonthwithroad gamesinSidney,Nebraskaand SeeHUNGRY,pg.7

FortMorganheadcoachChadUnreingoesoverazoneoffenseinpracticeduringthepreseason.TheMustangs arecomingoffa17-7seasonlastyear.

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

FortMorgan

HUNGRY frompage6

Brush.

TheFortMorganbasketball programisontherisewithtwo straightsuccessfulseasons,and thetalentacrosstheboardgives theteamhopetheycanmakea tripbacktotheplayoffs.

Togetthere,itwillstartwith theColorado7League,andthe teamfeelstheywillbeintherunningfortheleaguetitleagainthis year.

“ItwouldbenicetowintheColorado7League,”Gertnersaid. “Wejusthavetokeepgettingbetterandbetter.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

TheColorado7Leagueshaped uptobeacompetitiveconference lastseason,andmoreofthe sameappearstobecomingthis winter.

FortMorgan,VistaPEAKand Elizabethwereintherunningto wintheconferencelastseason.A 67-54winoverVistaPEAKinearlyFebruaryputtheMustangsin controloftheirowndestinyto wintheconference,onlytoseeit slip10dayslaterina77-56lossto Elizabeth.TheMustangssplit theseasonserieswithboth teamslastyear,buttwowinsover ElizabethbyVistaPEAKgave theBisontheleaguecrown.

AllthreeteamswillhaveadifferentlookthisyearasVista

PEAKlosessevenseniorsand bothFortMorganandElizabeth graduatedsixseniors.Whichever teamcanhavetheirreturning playersandvarsitynewcomers

stepupthequickestmaybethe frontrunnerfortheconference crownin2016.

FortLuptonisadarkhorse contenderafterpostingan8-6 leaguerecordlastseason,but willhavetogetoverthehump againstthetopthreeteamsafter goingacombined0-6toFort Morgan,VistaPEAK,andElizabethlastyear.WeldCentral, SkyveiwandEnglewoodwon12 conferencegamescombined,but didsurpriseduringtheseason andwereinpositiontotryand pulloffmassiveupsetsinthe league.Englewoodwillbe searchingforaconferencewin afteran0-14campaignintheColorado7League.

BoysBasketball

Brush

The2015-16Brushboysbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:RyanDunker(so.),KorbinMassey(jr.),MauldiniFlores(jr.),EduardoGarcia(sr.),ZabastianMedina(so.),RobertoMartinez(so.),JoseMartinez(so.),JoshuaChacon(so.),ReyCordora(jr.),AdrianLopez(so.).Secondrow,lefttoright:Head coachTyroneWhipple,IsaacRomero(jr.),BenBrown(so.),TrentMount(jr.),BJHirschfeld(sr.),DiegoLopez(sr.),MarcusContreras(so.),AaronWilliams (sr.),NicholasWeisser(so.),ElijahGreen(so.),assistantcoachKimKraich.Backrow,lefttoright:AustinPerry(jr.),AaronNichols(sr.),Reid Hall(sr.), NoahLechman(sr.),AlexSaucedo(sr.),GunnarGuzman(so.),JoseCampa(so.),ClayShaver(sr.).

Str eng th in si ze, nu mbe rs

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

Characterisatraitthatmeansa lottoBrushbasketballcoach T yroneWhipple.

Theformerassistantcoach,who nowtakesoverastheheadcoach thisseason,wantstowinjustas muchasanyoneelse,butiscommittedtolookingatthebigpicture withtheguysonhisteam.

“Idon’tcoachgreatathletes,I coachcharacter,”Whipplesaid.“If youteachkidstobebetterpeople atayoungerage,therestfallsinto place.”

Topassthatpointacross,the teamhasmovedfrompracticingin theeveningandafternoontohavingmostoftheirpracticesinthe morningbeforeschool,andholdingstudyhallsessionsafterschool

toworkontheiracademics.

Whipplehasnoplanstotake shortcutswithhisteam,admitting thatatonepracticetheteamran forabout30minuteswhenplayers missedoutonastudyhall.

AnothertraitWhipplewantshis teamtohaveistoworkhardand makesurenoonegetsmoredone inthegymthantheBeetdiggers.

“Wearegoingtogotowork everyday,”Whipplesaid.“We’re goingtobringourlunchpailand ourhardhatstodothelittlethings thatmakeadifferenceinthelong runforustobesuccessful.”

Brushiscomingoffa13-13seasonthatincludeda9-7markinthe PatriotLeagueforfourthplace. AfterdefeatingFrontierAcademy inthethird-placegameofthe PatriotLeaguetournament,the BeetdiggersdefeatedKentDenver bytwopointstosetupaconfer-

encerematchintheSweet16of thestatetournamentinSterling.

Sterlingwasundefeatedinthe conferenceandbeatBrushthe previousthreetimes,butlostto Brush43-42,givingBrushaGreat 8nodinthestatetournament,the team’sthirdstraighttriptoaneutralsiteforstate.Theteamwould eventuallyfalltoLutheranandAlamosatofinishitsseason.

Sixseniorsgraduatedfromlast year’steam,butoneofitskeyplayersandplentyoftalentreturnfor theBeetdiggers,leavingtheteam feelingconfidentitcanfindsuccessthisyear.Leadingtheteamis seniorNoahLechman,abigman whoaveraged13pointsandfive reboundspergame,bothtopslast year.SophomoreRyanDunker madeanimpacthisfreshmanseasonwith21stealsand13assistsin

SeeSTRENGTH,pg.9

Remaining 2015-16schedule

December18@Sterling7p.m.

December19vs.FortMorgan7 p.m.

January8@Eaton7p.m.

January12vs.FrontierAcademy 7p.m.

January15vs.Valley7p.m.

January19@PlatteValley7p.m.

January22@Strasburg7p.m.

January23@EstesPark4p.m.

January26@University7p.m.

January29vs.Sterling7p.m.

February2vs.Yuma7p.m.

February4vs.Eaton7p.m.

February6vs.EstesPark4p.m.

February9@FrontierAcademy7 p.m.

February12@Valley7p.m.

February15-27@Districts

March4-6@State(Roundof32, Sweet16)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

BoysBasketball

GirlsBasketballWrestling Brush STRENGTH frompage8

thebackcourt,andisemergingas anotherleaderfortheteamthis season.

OnetraittheBeetdiggerslike thisyearisthesizeinthepaint inside.AlongwithLechman, seniorsReidHallandAaronNicholsgivestheteamatrioofplayers standing6’3ortallerinthepost.

Byservingasanassistantcoach andworkingwithmanyoftheJV playerswhowillswinguptovarsitythisseason,Whipplehopesthat andnineseniorsgoingoutthis yearwillbenefittheteam.

“Wehadalotofsuccesswiththe JVprogramlastyear,andwehave manyoftheseseniorsthatplayed

SeeSTRENGTH,pg.10

BrushseniorNoah Lechmangoesupfor amid-rangejump shotinthehome openeragainstPlatte ValleyonDec.4. Lechmanisoneof nineseniorstolead theBeetdiggersthis season.

BrandonBoles FortMorganTimes

Ata glance

Head coach: Tyrone

Whipple(firstyear) 2014-15

record: 13-13

Conference: 9-7 (4th)

Playoffs: Great8, 3AState Tournament

Brush

STRENGTH frompage9

togetheroverthepastfewyears, soIthinkwewillpickupwhere weleftoff,”Whipplesaid.

Theteamgotstartedonthe rightfootwithafive-pointvictory intheseasonopeneratAkronand atoughgameagainstPlatteValle thattheydroppedatthefinalbuzzer.Decemberisacriticalstretch fortheteamasfourofsixgames intheopeningmonthinconference,somethingtheteamhasnot seennormally.

“Weusuallyhavethreeorfour non-conferencegamesinDecember,andthisyearweonlyhave two,”Whipplesaid.“Weneedto getofftoafaststartandnotdig ourselvesawholeintheconfer-

SeeSTRENGTH,pg.11

EastMorganCountyHospitalofferscomprehensive medicalcaretosupportourhighschoolathletes. OurteaminEmergency,OrthopedicSurgery,Sports Medicine,MedicalImaging,Physicaltherapyand moreisheretohelpwhenyouneedus.

Formoreinformationaboutourservices, call(970)842-6288orvisit

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes BrushsophomoreRyanDunkerwillbeoneofthenewstartersfortheBeetdiggersthisseason.

BoysBasketball GirlsBasketballWrestling Brush STRENGTH frompage10

ence.”

PlatteValley,Strasburg,andUniverstycametoBrush,andthe BeetdiggerswilltraveltoSterling onDec.18withagameagainstthe preseasonfavoriteintheconference.TheBeetdiggerswillhost FortMorganonDec.19before goingonwinterbreak.

It’saneweraofficiallyinBrush, buttheteamislookingtomaintain theirrecentsuccessonthecourt withacoachwhohasbeenworkingwiththemovertheyears.

“I’mveryexcited,”Whipplesaid. “It’snotoftentheteamisableto migratewithyou.Theynowmy systemandunderstandmyphilosophy.Ithinkthat’sabenefittous.”

ThePatriotLeaguewascompetitiveandfeaturedsomestrong teamsatthe3Alevel,butBrush wastheonlyteamtomakeitto theGreat8ofthestatetournament.

TogettoplayattheSchoolof Mines,theBeetdiggersdefeated KentDenverbytwopointsinthe firstroundandSterlingbyone pointintheSweet16.

Sterlingwentundefeatedinthe conferencelastseasonandopens thisyearasthefavoritetorepeat intheconference.

TheTigerswererankedNo.4 intheCHSAApreseasonpolls. Brushfinishedfourthintheconference,anditsruntotheGreat 8hasgiventheBeetdiggersa

No.10rankinginthepreseason polls.

EatonandFrontierAcademy bothwent11-5intheconference andwentabove.500overall.

EstesParkandPlatteValleyrode theirstrongguardstoa6-10conferencerecord,androundingout thebottomhalfoftheconference wereUniversity,ValleyandStrasburg.

Allthreeteamshadtheir momentsandcompetedwiththe topfourteamsintheconference atonepointintheseason.

Theconferencehopestosend moreteamstotheGreat8forthe statetournamentthisseason,and anothertightracefortheleague titleawaits.

Withallbutoneplayerreturningfromlastseason,Sterling lookstohavethebestchanceto win,thoughahandfulofteams willbeincontention.

Wiggins

Tigerstoplaywithpace

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

NewWigginsheadcoachCorey Stumpfknowsathingortwoabout W igginsbasketball.The2010 graduatefromCalicheHigh SchoolplayedagainsttheTigers inhighschool,andhelpedthe Buffaloeswinthestatetitleinhis seniorseason.

“IkindofknowwhatWiggins bringstothetabletypically,” Stumpfsaid.“Theyusuallyhave prettydecentathletesandplay goodbasketball.”

Originally,Stumpfappliedfor andwasgiventheassistantcoach positionwiththeTigers.Shortly aftertakingtheposition,former athleticdirectorJimDechant steppeddowntotakeadifferent job,leavingtheheadcoaching positionopen.Stumpfreceiveda callsayinghewasnextinlineto

takeoverastheheadcoach.

“Igladlyacceptedthejob,” Stumpfsaid.“It’sreallyexcitingto beaheadcoach.”

Stumpfinheritsateamcoming offa7-14seasonlastyearwitha 2-6recordintheLowerPlatte League.Hewilllooktobringhis styleofplaytotheteam,starting bylookingtoplaymorefull-court andatafastertempo,hesaid.In previousyears,theTigerswerea patient,low-paceteamonoffense.

Plentyofexperienceshouldhelp thetransitionthisyearforthe Tigers.Threeseniorsgraduated fromlastyear,buttheteam returnsitstwoleadingscorersand leadingrebounder.

SeniorpointguardAustinDinis, whowassecondontheteamwith eightpointspergameandledin assists,feelsthenewchangewill begoodfortheTigers.

“We’regoingtobeinalotbetter shape,andoverallIthinkit’sgoing

toflowmoreforusthisyear,” Dinissaid.

JuniorCodyHuwa,whoplayed inthesecondhalfoftheseasonat thevarsitylevel,willalsocontributeinthebackcourtthisseason. Upfront,theTigershavesenior KaesonRisner,thereturningleadingscorerfromlastyearat15 pointspergame,whocanstretch outtotheperimeterwithhis shootingandballhandlingaswell.

Risnerbelievesthatwiththeathleticabilityandexperiencethe teamhas,thattheTigerswill beginmakingthestridesthey wantintheirtoughconference.

“Wehavealotofathleticability onthisteam,andallofusbeing oldercertainlyhelps,”Risnersaid. “Withthisnewsystem,Ifeelwe’ll beuptothechallenge.”

Sofarinthepreseason,Stumpf hasbeenimpressedbythehustle andhearthisteamhasshownearSeePACE,pg.13

Remaining201516schedule

December17@WeldCentral4 p.m.

December18@Byers4p.m.

January5vs.Holyoke(NJC, Sterling)3p.m.

January8vs.Yuma4p.m.

January12vs.Merino4p.m.

January15@Caliche4p.m.

January22@Akron4p.m.

January23vs.UnionColonyPrep 1p.m.

January29vs.Holyoke4p.m.

January30@Wray2p.m.

February5vs.Haxtun4p.m.

February6@Merino2p.m.

February12vs.Akron4p.m.

Feburary16vs.SedgwickCounty (NJC,Sterling)3p.m.

February18@Limon4:30p.m.

February26-27@Districts

March2-5@Regionals

March10-12@State

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

The2015-16Wigginsboysbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:JustinVeeman(fr.),TegganFreauff(so.),DaggerDinis(fr.).Backrow,lefttoright: CalebHills(jr.),GavinSeiber(fr.),CodyHuwa(jr.),ShaneFinegan(jr.),AnthonySirios(fr.),KaesonRisner(sr.),ReidErnst(sr.),AustinDinis(sr.).

PACE frompage12

lyon.Hegavecredittohisthree seniorsforpickingeveryoneupin practice,andalsotothejuniors whoarebeginningtoemergeas leadersaswellfortheteam.

Theteamwaslimitedforthe firstweekofpracticeduetothe numberoffootballplayersstill playinginthepostseasonduring thefall.Asaresult,theteamhas beencatchinguponthesystemin practicequickly.

“Itwillbenefitusalotbecause weallreadyarefamiliarwithhow everyoneplays,”seniorReidErnst said.“Weshouldbeabletointegratethatinthegameforus.”

Oneofthephilosophiesthatwill

SeePACE,pg.14

WigginsseniorKaesonRisnerquickly pickedupwherehe leftofffromaseasonago,opening withtwostraight double-doubles againstWeldonValleyandPrairie.

BrandonBoles

FortMorganTimes

Ata glance

Head

coach: Corey Stumpf(1styear)

2014-15

record: 7-14

Conference: 2-6 (8th)

Playoffs: Quarterf inals,District2 tournament

Wiggins

PACE frompage14

remainintactfortheTigersunder Stumpfwillbeworkingtoward beingasoliddefensiveteam. WhiletheTigerswanttoimprove ontheir45pointsscoredpergame averageaseasonago,theteam knowstheymustdropthe52 pointspergameallowed.Intheir 14losses,theTigersdefense allowed61pointsagainstthem, playinginaleaguewithsomeof thetopscoringteamsandindividualscorersinclass2Aayearago.

“Ithinkaslongaswereinshape andwecanholdthatotherteamto asetnumberofpointstowhere wecanscoremorethanthem whenwe’rerunningthefastbreak,

SeePACE,pg.15

Wigginssplitits firsttwogames oftheseasonin theregularseason,andare lookingtomove upintheLower PlatteLeague underfirstyear coachCorey Stumpf. BrandonBoles FortMorganTimes

Wiggins

PACE frompage15

Ithinkwehavejustasgoodofa chanceasanybodyelseinthis league,”Stumpfsaid.

ManyoftheteamsintheLower PlatteLeaguelosesomekeyplayersfromtheirteamslastseason, givingtheTigersandextrabitof confidencethattheycanclimb fromtheireighthplacestanding.

Wigginsbeganitsseason against1AschoolsWeldonValley andPrairiebeforehostingitsholidaytournament.

RoadtripstoWeldCentraland Byersbeforethewinterbreakwill givetheTigersagoodstandingon wheretheystackintheconference,withleagueplaybeginning immediatelyinJanuary.

LOWERPLATTELEAGUEPREVIEW

Yumawontheleaguelastyear, buthadtobattlewithfivestrong teamstogetitdone.Holyoke, SedgwickCounty,Caliche,Akron andMerinowereallintherunningfortheLowerPlatteLeague titleaswell,andanotherclose raceisexpectedthisseasonfor thecrown.

Thepreseasonpollsfrom CHSAAhaveHolyokeandSedgwickCountyasthetopranked teamsfromtheconference,as wellasAkronreceivingmore votesthanYuma.Merinoholds thesamenumberofvotesasthe defendingleaguechamps.A hugeseniorclassdepartingthe Indiansisabigreasonmanyearlyintheseasonfeelanewteam

hasagoodshottowintheLower Plattethisyear.

Holyokefinishedfifthinthe stateandprovedcapableofwinningclosegames,going3-1in theirfinalfourgames,alldecided byfivepointsorless,includinga

76-75overtimewinagainstMerinointheregionaltournament championship.TheDragonsonly graduatedthreeseniorslastyear. SedgwickCountyisrankedafter a14-5seasonlastyearandthe facttheCougarsreturnevery playerfromtheirvarsityroster thisyear.

Caliche,AkronandMerinoall returnsomekeyplayersthatwill makethemtoughtobeatonce againthisyear.Haxtun,Wiggins andWrayarehopingtogetback intheconferencehuntwiththeir returningexperienceandnewfoundhope.

Untiltheendoftheregularseason,expecttheLowerPlatte Leaguetobeatossupforahandfulofteams.

BoysBasketball GirlsBasketballWrestling WeldonValley

The2015-16WeldonValleyboysbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:EthanOblander(so.),DameionCowan(jr.),CodyHall(so.),RyanSparrow(fr.), HeathMartindale(sr.),KadinKracke(sr.),CalebCovelli(jr.),ColeHall(fr.),ManagerDustySpeaks,ManagerGabbyGiulianoBack:HeadCoachKerr ySher-

Warriorsreadytomoveup

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

BeforetheWarriorstakethe floorforpractice,headcoachKerryShermanhaseveryoneonthe teamsaywhattheywanttoaccomplishintheupcomingpractice, whattheywillbringtopractice, andwhattheyexpecttheirteammatestodoaswell.

“I’vetoldthemallthatthisis theirprogram,andIwantthemto feeltheyhaveownershipinit,” Shermansaid.“Wehavenothad anyI’sorme’searly,andtheyare understandingthattheyneedto bethereforeachother.”

Thisseason,theWarriorshave movedfrompracticingearlyinthe morningbeforeschooltogoing lateintheeveningafterthegirls teamcompletesitspractice.

Beforesteppinginthegymat 5:30p.m.,theteamhasstudyhall andthengetssomeworkinthe weightroomandcompletesacon-

ditioningworkout.

Withallbutoneseniorreturning,theWarriorsarebeginningto cometogetherasateam.

Theydidnotneedextramotivationgoingintotheoffseason,wantingtoimprovefroma4-16regular seasonand2-8recordintheNorth CentralLeagueaseasonago.

“Honestly,Ithinkwehave becomemoreofateam,”junior AdamParachinisaid.“Lastyear wekindofhadegos,butnowwith thethingswehavebeeninvolved withthisyear,wehavegrown.We allhaveawillingnesstodowhatit takestowin.”

Inthegym,theteamhasbeen bringingafastpaceandintensity eachday.

AbigreasonisbecausetheWarriorsarelookingtoplayatafaster tempothisseason.

Thetempoingamesandpracticesweresloweddownlastyearas theteamworkedonimprovingits skilllevel,andnowthattheteamis morefundamentallysound,the

Remaining201516schedule

December19vs.Briggsdale4 p.m.

January8vs.Otis4p.m.

Januar y9@Prairie3p.m.

January14@Briggsdale4p.m.

January16vs.Caliche2p.m.

January21vs.Pawnee5p.m.

January23vs.Peetz2p.m.

January28vs.FaithBaptist6 p.m.

February5vs.Fleming4p.m.

February6@Peetz2p.m.

February12@Pawnee5p.m.

February19@FaithBaptist (Longmont)6p.m.

February20@Bethune1p.m.

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

playerswanttousetheirquicknessagainstopposingteams.

“Wehavetoscoremoreintransition,andweactuallyneedtoget intransitionmore,”Shermansaid.

“That’swhywefocussomuchon thebeginningofpracticetoget theminthemindsetoflooking ahead.”

AnotherreasontheWarriors wanttopushthepaceisbecause oftheirsize.Parachiniistheirtallestplayerat6-foot-3,buttherest oftheteamstandsbelow6-foot-0.

ThemajorityofworkWeldon Valleyputinduringtheoffseason wasontheirshootingtohelpthem scoremorethisseason.

Lastyear,theWarriorsaveraged 40pointspergameandshotbelow averagefromthefield(33percent) andatthefreethrowline(49percent).

Theteamattendedcampsand specializedworkoutsfocusingon shootingform,gettingopenfor shots,andhavingthementalityto beabletoknockdownshotsona consistentbasis.

Thatextraworkonshootingis startingtopayoff,accordingto

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

man,DanielOstuni(jr.),Asst.CoachJeracoMusser,BenCartwright(jr.),AdamParachini(jr.),DylanWilkins(jr.),JosephBaessler(so.),Asst.CoachAdam Cartwright,TylerMcCracken(fr.).

WeldonValley

READY frompage18

someoftheplayersontheteam.

“Weperfectedourshotsandgot ourimperfectionscorrected,” juniorCalebCovellisaid.“We’re lookingprettygood.”

CovellireturnsasthethirdleadingscorerfortheWarriorsat6.5 pointspergame.JuniorDylan W ilkinsisthereturningleading scorer,averagingsevenpointsper game.

Parachiniistheotherplayer returningthatscoredatleast100 pointsduringtheregularseason.

Wilkinssaysbyplayingafaster tempothisseason,theyexpect theirscoringtogoupacrossthe board.

SeeREADY,pg.18

TheWeldonValleyWarriorsfellintheirfirstgameinWigginsonDec.1,butpickeduptheirfirstwinagainstIdaliain theJeffShermanMemorialinthefirstweekoftheregularseason.

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

WeldonValley

READY frompage16

“Wehavealotmorespeedthan wedidayearago,”Wilkinssaid. “Wedon’treallyhavethatheight, sowe’regoingtohavetorunout theotherteams.”

Shermanisalsotheathletic directoratWeldonValley,andhas setupaschedulethatwillinclude anicehomestandaroundChristmasbreakofthreegamesand anotheroneinthemiddleofJanuarythatwillbefivegameslong. Hecalledthosehomestandscrucialfortheseason,especiallythe five-gamehomestandwhichwill befollowedbyafour-gameroad swingtoclosetheregularseason beforedistricts.

SeeREADY,pg.19

WeldonValley juniorAdamParachiniwillbringthe sizeinsideforthe Warriorsthisseason.

BrandonBoles FortMorganTimes

Ata glance

Head coach: Kerry Sherman(2nd year)

2014-15 record: 4-16 Conference: 28(5th)

Playoffs: 1st round,District 4Tournament

WeldonValley

READY frompage18

Thisseason,theWarriorswant tocompeteinthetophalfofthe NorthCentralLeague,andalso hopeplayingatoughnon-conferenceschedulewillhelpthebuildingprocessfortheteam.Butfor seniorsKadinKrackeandHeath Martindale,theywanttohavea bigbreakoutseasonforthemto closetheirbasketballcareerson.

“I’mhopingitwillbeagood,fun oneformyseniorseason,”senior HeathMartindalesaid.“Ifeellike wearewayaheadthanwewere lastyear.Wehaveabetterattitude.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

NORTHCENTRALLEAGUEPREVIEW

Threeoftheeightteamsto takepartinthe1Astatetournamentlastyearcamefromthe NorthCentralLeague,andoneof thoseteamslookprimedtomake areturntriptothefinaltournament.

Flemingistheearlyfavoriteto wintheNorthCentralLeague thisyearafterwinningtheregularseasontitlelastyearand openingtheseasonrankedNo.1 intheCHSAApolls.

TheWildcatsreturntheir entirevarsityrosterthiswinter.

ItisadifferentstoryforPrairie andPeetz.Prairiewhoupset Fleminginthedistrictfinaland gotawinoverGenoa-Hugoto

Projected conference standings

makethetriptotheBudweiser EventCenterlastyear,graduated sixseniorsandwillbeayounger teamwithjustonesenioronthe rosterthisyear.

PeetzupsetArickaree/Woodlin intheirregionaltournamentto

moveontostate.

IntheRegion2tournamentfor class1A,Arickaree/Woodlinwas theNo.1overallseed.

CaseyBarrettgraduatedafter averagingaconferencebest20 pointspergame,asdidfiveother seniorsontheroster.

Pawnee,WeldonValley,and Briggsdaleroundedoutthebottomhalfoftheleague,butthose teamslooktomakesomemore noiseandshowimprovementon thecourtthisseason.

TheNorthCentralLeaguewas acompetitiveonelastyear,but thisseasonlookstobealeague withFlemingatthetopandthe resttryingtogunfortheWildcats.

Aimtoreload,notrebuild

Aveteranteamhititsstride lateintheseasonlastyearfor thePrairieMustangs,resulting inwinningthedistrictand regionaltournamentsandatrip tostate.

Thisyear’steamwillpresenta newlook,however,withsix seniorsgraduatingfromlast y ear’steam.

It’sachallengeheadcoach AmberWhitlockandherteamis lookingforwardtotakingonthis year.

“Theguys(comingback)knew whatittooktogettostatelast year,allthathardworkand efforttheyhadtoputin,”Whitlocksaid.“Iftheycandothat andshowtheseyoungerkids whatit’sgoingtotake,Ithink

we’llgivesometeamsagood fight.”

LeadingtheMustangsthisseasonisseniorZachariahHastings, theloneseniorfortheteamthis year,aswellasjuniorGarrett SeltzerandsophomoreTrent Holzworth.

Allplayedbigpartscomingoff thebenchorstartinginsome

pointsoftheseason.Prairiewill havetofillthevoidof45points scoredlastyearfromthekey seniors.

“Everyoneisgoingtohaveto stepup,”Hastingssaid.“It’sa bigspottofillwiththoseseniors andexperience,butwe’llallgive 100percent.”

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

The2015-16Prairieboysbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:IndyHosier(so.),DorianWright(so.),LaneGoodman(so.),DevinLittlefield(fr.),Caleb Baker(jr.),TyBell(jr.).Backrow,lefttoright:TylerChalk(jr.),GarrettSeltzer(jr.),ZachariahHasting(sr.),IsaacWard(so.).

Prairie

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Hastingsalsosaidthatasthe loneseniorontheteam,he w antstobearolemodelforthe teaminpracticesandatgames fortheMustangs.

Withabigseniorclassgoing alsoleavestheMustangswitha smallerrosterthisyearinterms ofdepthandsize.

Asaresult,Prairiehopesto playatafasttempothisseason, somethingWhitlockhasimplementedwiththeteamsinceshe tookoverayearago.

“Ithinkwithoursize,that’s somethingwekindofhavetodo thisyear,”Whitlocksaidonplayingfast.“We’reprettysmall,but

SeeRELOAD,pg.22

ThePrairieMustangspeakedlate intheregularseasonlastyear, resultinginabid tothestatetournament.Anewlookrosterisjust aseagertohavea shotatstatethis season.

BrandonBoles FortMorganTimes

Prairie

RELOAD frompage21

alsoquick.Idefinitelywantto seewhattheup-tempogame doesforus.”

GuardslikesophomoreDorian WrightandfreshmanDevinLittlefieldwilllooktogetthetransitiongamegoing,anddepthfrom playerslikejuniorsCalebBaker andTylerChalkwillallowthe Mustangstogetoutandrun w hengiventhechance.

Inthepreseason,theteam w orkedextensivelyonitsfast breaks,pushingtheballupthe courtasquicklyaspossible.

Inorderforthetransition gametogetgoing,theMustangs knowitstartswithgettingstops

SeeRELOAD,pg.23

RELOAD frompage22

ondefense.

Lastseason,theMustangs allowed47pointspergame,a numberthatmayneedtogo downiftheMustangscannot average59pointsscored.

“We’reworkinghardandstayingmentallyfocusedonevery aspectofourdefense,”Hastings said.“It’sallthelittledetailsthat w illbringittogetherforus.”

Thosedetailsincludecommunicatingandrotatinginman-tomandefensethattheMustangs w anttoutilize,aswellasboxing outtorebound.

Theteamonlyaveraged28 boardspergame,andWhitlock hasmadeitapointofemphasis forherteamtobestrongonthe

Ataglance

Headcoach: AmberWhitlock

(2ndyear)

2014-15record: 16-9

Conference: 7-3(2nd)

Playoffs: Great8,1AState Tournament

boardsinpractice.

Prairietesteditsfastpaceearly againstWiggins,ateamwith muchbiggersize,andprovedto beuptothechallenge,winning 54-48intheseasonopener.

TheMustangsalsohadsome earlysuccessintheDeerTrail Tournamentandintheirhome PrairieClassiclastweek.

SomefeeltheMustangscould

takeastepbackduetothe amountoftalentlostfromlast year,buttheteamdoesn’tfeel theyareinarebuildingseason.

Instead,theyhopetoprovethe doubterswrongandgetbackto regionalsforashottoreturnto thestatetournament.

Astheseasoncontinueson, theteamwillbegivingeverythingitcaninpracticetosteady theseasonearlyandtrytopeak late.

“Teamworkisgoingtobe essentialforusthisyear,”Seltzer said.“Thisyearcanbeagreat yearifwechoseittobe.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Remaining201516schedule

December18@Peetz4p.m

January9vs.WeldonValley3 p.m

January12vs.Caliche(NJC, Sterling)4p.m

January15@Pawnee5p.m

January22@Briggsdale4p.m

January23vs.Fleming3p.m

January29vs.Peetz4p.m

January30@UnionColonyPrep 1p.m

February5vs.Pawnee5p.m

February12@Merino4p.m

February13vs.Otis3p.m

February18vs.Fleming(NJC, Sterling)4p.m

February19vs.Briggsdale,4 p.m

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland

The2015-16FortMorgangirlsbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:MyKaylaForsythe(jr.),AmyAnderson(sr.),AliKeller(so.),LindseyNestor (sr.), AbbyMussman(jr.),HaleyLewis(so.),HalleeShaver(so.),KelseyShaver(so.).Secondrow,lefttoright:AlexisZuniga(fr.),JocelynNaruclez(fr.),Cindy Marquez(fr.),RyleePettyjohn(fr.),KelseyHernandez(jr.),JulianaMunoz(fr.),KaitlinWells(so.),JennayaMills(fr.).Backrow,lefttoright:ManagerRiann Rose(so.),NancySerrano(fr.),AlondraAlmanza(fr.),KathrynWirth(so.),EmilyLopez(jr.),KelseyKalous(fr.),RileyBauman(so.),CiraleeCar lsen(so.), WhitneyFrasco(fr.),managerMcKennaVonFeldt(so.).

Feelingcloser,tougher

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

Whenyouaskthemembersof theFortMorgangirlsbasketball teamwhathaschangedthemost thisseason,theonewordyoufrequentlyhearisdiscipline.

NewheadcoachAndySchon, whopreviouslycoachedatMonte V ista,doesnottakeshortcutsto builduptheteam,andisbringing somenewlifeandtoughloveto theMustangsprogramthiswinter.

Theplayersbelievethatdisciplineandattentiontodetailis

beginningtopayoffearlyforthe team.

“He’sreallyworkingtobuild ourconfidenceup,andIcantell thedifference,”seniorLindsey Nestorsaid.

Schonistakingoveraprogram comingoffa10-14recordlastseason,finishingthirdintheColorado7Leagueandgettingbounced inthefirstroundoftheplayoffs.

Inthepreseason,hiscoaching staffhasbeenfocusingonbuildingupfundamentalsandcorrectinglittlemistakesearly,thefirst stephefeelswillhelpmovethe programup.

Ataglance

Headcoach: AndySchon(1st year)

2014-15record: 10-14 conference: 9-5(3rd)

Playoffs: Roundof32,4AState Tournament

“Thereisalotofstuffwewant toimplement,andweknowthere isnotalotoftimetoputitin,” Schonsaid.“We’vebeendoinga lotofdribbling,formshooting, justtryingtogetbettereveryday.”

OneadvantageSchonhaswith hisnewteamisanextraweekin

thepreseasontoprepare.

Whileeveryotherteam debutedonthefirstweekof December,theMustangsdidnot hitthecourtuntillastweekinthe D’EvelynJungleJamTournament.

Thatextratimehasgiventhe teammoretimetoconditionand finetuneitsfundamentals,andis awelcomesightfortheteamthis season.

“We’revaluingthatearlytime, andwe’rehopingtobenefitfrom it,”Schonsaid.

Thisyear’steamwillhaveadif-

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

BoysBasketball GirlsBasketball Wrestling

TOUGHER frompage24

ferentfeelaftergraduatingfive seniorsfromlastyear.

NestorandAmyAndersonare thetwoseniorsontheteam,and returningwithvarsityexperience aresophomoresAliKellerand HaleyLewis,andjuniorAbby Mussman.

Despitebeingfreshmenlast year,KellerandLewiseachhad niceproduction.Lewiswassecondontheteamwithninepoints andfivereboundspergame,and Kelleraveragedfourpointsanda stealpergame.

Thelessonstheylearnedonthe flylastyearshouldtranslatetoa betterfeelforthegameintheir sophomorecampaigns,according toKeller.

“Itreallymademegrowuplast year,”Kellersaid.“Goingfrom middleschoolbasketballtohigh schoolbasketball,thetempois muchfaster.Everylittlemistake becomesabiggeraspectofthe game.Itmakesyoumaturealot.”

Forthepastfewseasons,the Mustangshavebeengood enoughtoplacehighenoughin theconferenceandqualifyforthe statetournament,butdon’thave muchelsetoshowforit.

Schonbelievesinthegirlson theteamandfeelstheywillbe

SeeTOUGHER,pg.26

FortMorgan

Remaining201516schedule

December18@Sidney,NE5:30 p.m.

December19@Brush5:30p.m.

January5@Skyview7p.m.

January8vs.VistaPEAK5:30 p.m.

January12@FortLupton5:30 p.m.

January14vs.Sterling5:30p.m.

January15vs.Alameda5:30 p.m.

January19vs.Elizabeth5:30 p.m.

January22@WeldCentral5:30 p.m.

January23vs.PlatteValley7 p.m.

January26vs.Englewood7p.m.

January29vs.Skyview7p.m.

January30@Roosevelt7p.m.

February2@VistaPEAK5:30 p.m.

February5vs.FortLupton5:30 p.m.

February9@Alameda5:30p.m.

February12@Elizabeth5:30 p.m.

February16vs.WeldCentral 5:30p.m.

February18@Englewood7p.m.

February26-27@State(Round 1,Sweet16)

March4-5@State(Great8)

March10-12@State(FinalFour, StateChampionship)

NewFortMorgangirlsbasketballcoachAndySchonwilllooktohelpthe Mustangsbuildoffofa10-14seasonandfirstroundexitinthestatetournamentfromlastseason.

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

TOUGHER frompage25

theonestohelptheprogramtake thenextstepup.

Thefirstorderofbusinessisto competefortheColorado7 Leaguetitle.

Lastyear,theMustangsfinishedthirdwitha9-5record,but a0-4recordagainstWeldCentral andElizabeth,whofinishedabove them.

“Wewanttocompeteforthat leaguetitle,”Schonsaid.“Ontop ofthat,whenwegoseethebetter teamsthatwe’renotaccustomed toseeingregularly,wehavetogo compete.We’renotthereatthe levelwiththeupperteams,but we’reworkingtogetthere.”

SeeTOUGHER,pg.27

TOUGHER frompage24

FortMorganwillclosethe monthwithtworoadgamesin Sidney,NebraskaandBrush,and openconferenceplayonJan.5at Skyview.

TheconfidenceSchonhaswith histeamiswearingoffontothe players,andtheyarereadyto makeabigsplashintheleague andworktheirwayuptocontend thisyear.

“Ifeellikewecangetfirstplace inourleague,”Nestorsaid.“We havebetterfaithintheteam.We neededtogetastrongchain,and wehavethatstrongchainnow.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

FortMorgan

TheColorado7Leagueisup forgrabs,thoughWeldCentral andElizabetharetheearlyfavoritestotaketheleaguecrown.

TheRebelsdidnotreceiveany pollvotesintheCHSAApreseasonpolldespitea20-winseasonandanundefeatedrunin conferenceplaylastyear.Weld Centralwillhavetoreplacefour seniorswhograduated.

Elizabethprovestobetheteam capableofdethroningWeldCentralfromaconferencetitle repeat.TheCardinalswent12-2 inleagueplay,onlydroppingthe twogameswiththeRebels. WhileWeldCentrallosesfour players,theCardinalsreturn everyonefromtheirvarsityros-

ter,andhopethatreturningexperiencewillbenefitthemthisyear.

FortMorgantookthirdplace andsecuredthefinalbidtothe statetournamentfortheconference,going9-5inleagueplay. TheMustangsfinished10-14

overall,andwillalsohavesome holes to fill with their roster,but manyyoungplayersemerged lastyearandwillplaybigger rolesthisseason,givingthema shottocompetewiththeRebels andCardinalsonceagain.

VistaPEAKwent.500inconference,whileSkyviewfinished 5-9,highlightedbyanupsetover FortMorgan.FortLupton, Englewood,andAlamedaeach finished3-11.

TheColorado7Leaguehopes toseeastrongerseasonacross theboardaftergettingonlytwo teamswithanoverallrecordover .500lastyear,andalsowilllook foracompetitiveraceforthe title.

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

The2015-16Brushgirlsbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:CaliBills,QuincySegelke,LaurenBerg,KamiSweenie.Secondrow,lefttoright:Audrey Osier,MadisonKerr,SydneyOdle,AuroraThomas,BrookeGeorge,AshleyHinojos,SkyleeCook.Backrow,lefttoright:ManagerJennerDunn,Michelle Ren,CassandraWinn,NahomyGomez,MorganBarfuss,MaddieSawyer,MollyLink,KendallElliott,MaddyRule,AmberWolever,EricaDardanes,CharleneDory.

Facingaloadedschedule

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

Inhisfirstseasonwiththe Brushgirlsbasketballteam,head coachBillNicholssawtheBeetdiggersgo13-10overallandfinishfourthinthePatriotLeagueat 10-6.

Theteamalsoputupagood fightwithFaithChristianinthe firstroundofthe3AStateTournament.

Thisyear,theteamwillhave somenewfacesontheroster,but plentyoftalentreturnstothe courtfromlastyear,mostnotably inthepostwithseniorsCaliBills, LaurenBerg,andKamiSweenie. ItisaluxuryNicholssayshis teamwilltakeadvantageofthis year.

“We’vegotafewplayers5-foot10orbetter,andit’salwaysgood

tohavenicebigsinthegameof basketball,”Nicholssaid.

Bergreturnsastheleading scorerfortheBeetdiggersatsix pointspergameandalsoasthe leadingrebounderwithfive boardsaveraged.

BillsandSweeinecombinedfor fivepointsandsevenboardsper contest,andthedepthallowed theBeetdiggerstomaintaintheir levelofplayinsideifanypost playersgotinfoultrouble.

Wheretheteamwillseemore newfacesthisyearisinthebackcourt.

JuniorsMadyKerrandAurora Thomascameoffthebenchfor theBeetdiggerslastyearandwill seemoreplayingtimethisseason.Kerraveragedtwopoints andThomasprovidedquality playingtimelateintheseason.

TheBeetdiggerswillalsosolidifythewingpositionwithsopho-

moreMaddyRule,whoscored threepointsandgrabbedtwo boardspergamecomingoffthe benchasafreshman,andsenior QuincySegelke,whoreturnsto theteamthisseason.

Bothgirlswillgivetheteam somemoresizeandversatilityon theperimeter.

“Ifeelprettyconfidentwith whatwegotcomingthisyear,” Nicholssaid.“Wehavenicepiecescomingback,andsomeof thosenewerkidshavebeensteppingup.”

Inthepreseason,toughness hasbeenakeyNicholsisworkingtostrengthenfortheseason, sayingtheteamphysicallywants tohandleballpressurebetterand limittheturnoversafteraveraging18pergamelastyear.

Theteamalsowantstobementallytoughandhandleadversity

SeeLOADED,pg.29

Remaining201516schedule

December18vs.Sterling7p.m.

December19vs.FortMorgan 5:30p.m.

January8vs.Eaton7p.m.

January12@FrontierAcademy7 p.m.

January15@Valley7p.m.

January19vs.Plt.Valley7p.m.

January22@Strsbrg5:30p.m.

January23@EstesPark2:30 p.m.

January26vs.University7p.m.

January29@Sterling7p.m.

February2vs.Yuma5:30p.m.

February5@Eaton7p.m.

February6vs.EstesPark2:30 p.m.

February9vs.FrontierAcademy 7p.m.

February12vs.Valley7p.m.

February15-27@Districts

March4-6@State(Roundof32, Sweet16)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

LOADED frompage28

thatcomestheirway.

Anotherreasontheteamis lookingfortoughnessisitsloadedschedulethisyear.

AlongwithatoughPatriot Leaguewithstaterunner-upSterlingandGreat8participant Eaton,theBeetdiggerswillface somequality2Aopponentsin theirnon-conference.

TheseasonopenedinAkronon Dec.1againstthedefending2A champions,agameBrushfell5840.

Laterintheschedule,theBeetdiggerswillface2Apreseason No.1Yuma,andalsohave4A FortMorgancomingtotownona

SeeLOADED,pg.30

TheBrush Beetdiggers scrimmagein apractice duringthe preseason. Theteamwill facestrong 2A-ranked teamsalong withtheir Patriot League schedule thisyear.

BrandonBoles

FortMorgan Times

Brush

back-to-backbeforewinterbreak.

BrushpasseditsfirstPatriot Leaguetest,defeatingPlatteValleyinKerseyonDec.452-47,and Nicholssaysheislookingforwardtoseeingqualitycompetitionthroughouttheregularseason,hopingitwillgetthemwell preparedforapotentialpostseasonrun.

“Inthenon-conferenceschedule,Iwouldnotpickapieceof cakekindofteamtoplay,”Nicholssaid.“Wewanttogetknocked aroundbythoseteamsandplay thosegamestoseewhatwe’re madeof,andseewhereweneed togo.”

Sofar,theBeetdiggershave facedoneofthetop3teamsfrom

Ataglance

Headcoach: BillNichols

2014-15record: 13-10

Conference: 10-6(4th)

Playoffs: Roundof32,3AState Tournament

thePatriotLeague,butnowenter atoughconferencestretchstartingonDec.18athomeagainst Sterling.

TheFortMorganrivalrygame concludesthemonthofDecember,andwhentheteamreturns fromwinterbreak,itwillget Eaton,FrontierAcademy,Valley, andPlatteValley.

AllbutFrontierAcademy

SeeLOADED,pg.31

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

BrushseniorCaliBillsworkstodribbleoutofadouble-teamduringadrillin apreseasonpractice.

LOADED frompage30

defeatedBrushatleastoncelast year,andtheteamslooktobe justasstrongthisyear.

Withaloadedscheduleand highexpectations,eachgamefor theBeetdiggerswillhaveavibe ofabiggamethisseason,andthe teamwillbelookingtosurprise peopleinitsconference,accordingtoNichols.

“Thegirlswanttoplay,andwe practicesowecanplaywell,” Nicholssaid.“We’llfindout wherewestackupthisseason.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Brush

PATRIOTLEAGUEPREVIEW

Sterlingwasonequarteraway fromanundefeatedseasonanda statetitle,butPagosaSprings outscoredtheTigers20-16towin 39-36inthestatechampionship game.AhungryTigersteamwill belookingtogetbacktothe statechampionshipgame,startingbyrunningthetableinthe PatriotLeagueagainthisseason.

TheTigersopentheseason rankedno.2intheCHSAA3A polls,receivingthreeofthe10 firstplacevotes.

Eatonprovedtobethebiggest threatintheconferencelastyear andwillalsofieldastrongbasketballteamaftera23-4season lastyearthatendedwitha49-40 victoryoverMoffatCountyinthe

Projected conference standings

threeteamsloseahandfulofkey seniorsthatwillneedtobe replacedfortheteamtomake similarstridesthiswinter.

Strasburgsurprisedmanywith a7-9leaguerecordandwilllook togetover.500intheleaguethis year.FrontierAcademy,University,andEstesParkareworking hardtobuilduptheirprograms andhopethoseresultscomethis fallafterthethreeteamscombinedtowin10gamestotal.

fifth-placegame.

PlatteValley,Brush,andValley roundoutthetop5intheconferenceandallcompetedinthe statetournamentaswell.All

Withthetalentcomingback, SterlingandEatonappeartobe inthetoptieroftheleagueonce againthisyear,withBrushina goodbattlewithPlatteValleyand Valleyinthesecondtier.

Wiggins

The2015-16Wigginsgirlsbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:JessieGilbert(fr.),ClaireBoyer(fr.),CourtneyJenson(so.),KassidyJeanHarris(sr.), ChloeBaker(fr.),VanessaSandoval(fr.),CheyenneLehr(fr.).Backrow,lefttoright:SabrinaSierra(so.),MarisolMendez(jr.),KamrynLeoffler

A ssistantcoachtakingover

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

WilliamVonLohhasbeenwith theWigginsprogramforahandful ofyears,andhasbeentheone constantfortheteam.

Theseniorswillbeplaying undertheirthirddifferenthead coachintheircareers,buthaving acoachwhohasbeenwiththem allfouryearsissomethingthe girlsareexcitedforthisseason.

“Coachhasbeenhereallmy timeinhighschool,anditshows howdedicatedheistousandthat hewon’tgiveuponus,”seniorBriennaBaersaid.“Heisveryinspirationalasacoach.Ilikehim.”

VonLohalsoechoedthesentimenthehasforWigginsbasketball,andlooksforwardtohisfirst seasonastheheadcoachofthe program.

“I’mexcitedtodoit,”VonLoh said.“I’mreallylearnedalotfrom bothRoniWhitmanandJim Dechant,andI’mlookingforward tostillbeingapartoftheteam.”

Withtheteambackinghis excitementfortheseason,the girlshavebeenhardatworkinthe preseasontotryandturnarounda 2-18seasonfromayearago.

Themajorityoftherosteris back,andmanyyoungplayers whoshinedontheJVteamlast year,aswellasagoodfreshman class,shouldgivetheTigersmore opportunitiestoexcelonthe court.

Inthesummer,theteamplayed atNortheasternJuniorCollegein Sterling,gettingachancetoscrimmageagainstotherteamsand builduptheirfundamentals.One keyfortheTigerstohaveaturnaroundseason,accordingtoVon

Loh,willbetoworkontheir defenseandreboundingextensively.

“Wewanttobeknownasateam whoplaystoughdefense,”Von Lohsaid.“Wewanttoplaytough defensefor32minutesanight, andwereallywanttodominatethe boards.Ifwecanplaydefense, especiallyintheLowerPlatte, we’regoingtogiveourselvesa chancetowinsomegames.”

Lastseason,Wigginsallowed48 pointsscoredpergame,anumber thecoachknowsmustcomedown thisseason.

Agoodcombinationofsizein thepostandexperienceonthe perimeterissomethingVonLoh hopeswillseethedefense improvethisseason.

Baerreturnsatpointguardfrom akneeinjurythatcosthermostof

SeeCOACH,pg.33

Remaining201516schedule

December17@WeldCentral4 p.m.

December18@Byers4p.m.

January5vs.Holyoke(NJC, Sterling)3p.m.

January8vs.Yuma4p.m.

January12vs.Merino4p.m.

January15@Caliche4p.m.

January22@Akron4p.m.

January23vs.UnionColonyPrep 1p.m.

January29vs.Holyoke4p.m.

January30@Wray2p.m.

February5vs.Haxtun4p.m.

February6@Merino2p.m.

February12vs.Akron4p.m.

Februrary16vs.Sedgwick County(NJC,Sterling)3p.m.\

February18@Limon4:30p.m.

February26-27@Districts

March2-5@Regionals

March10-12@State

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

(fr.),Charlee Teague(jr.),LauraWalker(sr.),BriennaBaer(sr.),MariaEnriquez(sr.),KamrynSeiber(jr.),AlexisSteinbar(fr.),TannaHansen(fr.),ValSandoval(jr.).Not pictured:LakotaHarris(fr.),JeneenIbrahim(jr.),MorganEklund(fr.),JessiGilbert(fr.).

COACH frompage32

theseasonlastyear,andalsosolidifyingtheTigersinsidearejunior KamrynSeiberandseniorMaria Enriquez,whoreturnwithvarsity experience.

AnewadditionfortheTigers willbejuniorJeneenIbrahim,who playedthelasttwoseasonsatWeldonValley.

Lastyear’sleadingscorer,BrittanyRobinsongraduated,butthe T igershaveapairofseniorsin LauraWalkerandKassidyHarris, aswellassophomoreCourtney Jenson,comingbacktofillthe voidontheperimeter.

“Ifeellikewehaveaveteran teamthisyear,andIthinkthat’s

SeeCOACH,pg.34

Wigginssplittheir firsttwogamesof theregularseason,defeating WeldonValleyin thehomeopener anddroppingtheir firstroadgamein Prairie.

BrandonBoles

FortMorganTimes

Ata glance

Head coach: William VonLoh(1st year)

2014-15

record: 2-18

Conference: 08(9th)

Playoffs: First round,District 2tournament

COACH frompage33

goingtohelpusthisyear,”Harris said.“We’veplayedtogetherover theyears,andthatwillhelpsome. Wealsohaveabiggerteamcomingoutthisyear.”

Wigginswillplayinarguablythe toughestconferenceinclass2A thatfeaturesthedefendingstate championsAkronandstaterunner-upsYuma,aswellasCaliche. Thispastfall,thegirlsteams brokeoutfortheTigers,withvolleyballqualifyingfortheregional tournamentforthefirsttimein overadecade,andthecrosscountryteamqualifyingforthestate meet.Thatexperienceinthefallis somethingtheteamhopeswill

SeeCOACH,pg.35

COACH frompage34

translateandhaveacarryover effectinthewinter.

“We’vehadalotofsuccesswith ourgirlsprograms,evengoing backtolastspringwithtrack,and thatcanonlyhelpuswiththebasketballprogram,”VonLohsaid.

TheTigersbegantheirseason withback-to-backgamesagainst WeldonValleyandPrairie,andlast weekhostedtheirannualholiday tournament.Thisweek,theteam willcloseontheroadagainstWeld CentralandByersbeforebeginningconferenceplayfollowing winterbreak.

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Onlytwoteamsreceivedfirst placevotesinclass2Aby CHSAA,andbothhailfromthe LowerPlatteLeague.Yuma,the staterunner-upslastseason, begintheyearno.1inthestate, whileAkron,thedefendingstate champions,startno.3.

Otherteamstoreceivevotesin thepreseasonpollfortheLower PlatteLeagueincludeWrayand Haxtun.YumaandAkronappear tobeheadingtowardatightrace fortheleaguetitle,butahandful willlooktospoiltherace.

ThetopscorersfromtheconferencereturningareMegan GerkfromHaxtunandAJMiller fromAkronatabout17points pergame.Yumabringsback theirleadingscorerinLogan

Hixonat14pointspergameand theirsecondleadingrebounder inTaraTraphagenwithseven boardspergame.

Caliche,whofinishedthirdin theconferencelastyear,losta

fewkeyseniorsfromlastyear, buttheirfull-courtstyleofplay canturnteamsover

Wray,Holyoke,andHaxtun headlinethesecondtierinthe conference,withafewplayersto watchinGerkandHannahLenz fromWray,theleadingreturning rebounder.SedgwickCounty, Merino,andWigginsarehoping thattheirexperiencecoming back,aswellasastrongfallseason,willhavethemsurprisepeopleintheleaguethisyear.

Intheend,peoplewhofollow 2AbasketballwillhaveJan.23 andFeb.11circledonthecalendar,thetwodaysAkronand Yumaarescheduledtofaceoff. Thosegamesshoulddetermine whowilltakethecrown.

WeldonValley

The2015-16WeldonValleygirlsbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:StevieGee(fr.),TristanGutierrez(fr.),RubyValle(fr.),DaneaBender(sr.),ManagerDeannaHickson.Secondrow,lefttoright:ManagerEmilyPatten,BritneyFilter(so.),AllyAllen(sr.),KandiceKnapp(so.),BrittneyLeist(so.),Kaybree Keating(fr.).Backrow,lefttoright:HeadcoachSamanthaLawrence,DrewKnapp(fr.),RebaRuland(jr.),IrmaValle(sr.),KyndraKonig(sr.),Eryah Mora (jr.),KirstenWood(fr.),JaneaCastillo(jr.),assistantcoachMathaisMathiason.Missing:KarissaSchulte(so.),CourtneyPeterson(jr.),Gema Valle(8th).

Greaterdepthgives Warriorsnewlife

ByBrandonBoles

TimesSportsReporter

Lastseasonwasaroughyearfor theWeldonValleyWarriorsgirls basketballteam.

Witharosterofnineunderclassmenandonejuniorjoininglatein theseason,ayoungteamhadits shareofbumpsduringa2-18sea-

son,comingoffawinlessseason theyearbefore.

Forthosethatplayedlastseason,theyhopetheexperienceof playingatthevarsitylevelwillbe beneficialthisyear.

“Ithinkastheyearwenton,we startedtorealizewecouldrelyon eachother,”seniorKyndraKonig said.“Westartedclickingmore.”

Thisseason,thosegirlswillhave

somehelp.

Manynewfaceswhohave playedbeforereturn,andthere aresomeotherplayerscomingout forthefirsttime.

Sixfreshmenalsojointheteam, givingtheWarriors18playersfor thisseason.

“Dayone,Ididn’tknowwhatto dowiththismanygirls,”second SeeDEPTH,pg.37

Remaining201516schedule

December19vs.Briggsdale4 p.m.

January8vs.Otis4p.m.

January9@Prairie3p.m.

January14@Briggsdale4p.m.

January16vs.Caliche2p.m.

January21vs.Pawnee5p.m.

January23vs.Peetz2p.m.

January28vs.FaithBaptist6 p.m.

February5vs.Fleming4p.m.

February6@Peetz2p.m.

February12@Pawnee5p.m.

February19@FaithBaptist (Longmont)6p.m.

February20@Bethune1p.m.

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

DEPTH frompage36

yearheadcoachSamanthaLawrencesaid.“I’mlookingforwardto havingaJVandvarsityteamthis year,andbeingabletodomore thingsatpractice.”

Becauseofthedepth,theWarriorsexpecttomaintaintheirefficiencythroughoutthecourseof everygame.Lastseason,theWarriorswouldgetofftodecent starts,butthelackofdepthcaught upinthesecondhalfofgames.

“Itwasfrustratingbecausewe didn’thaveverymanypeopleout lastyear,”juniorEryahMorasaid. “Itwashardtoplaywhenallofus gottired.Thedepthwillhelp.”

WeldonValleyworkedprimarily

SeeDEPTH,pg.38

Intheearlypartof theseason,thebackcourtduoofsenior DaneaBender(left) andjuniorEryahMora (right)hasprovided offenseontheperimeterfortheWarriors.

BrandonBoles FortMorganTimes

Ata glance

Headcoach: Samantha Lawrence(2nd year)

2014-15record: 2-18 Conference:1-9 (t-5th) Playoffs: Quarterfinals, districts

DEPTH frompage37

inthepostonoffenselast seasonbehindapairof sophomores.

RebaRulandreturnsas oneofthreeplayersaveragingaroundsixpointsper game,andistheleading scorerontheinsidecomingback.

FreshmanBritneyFilter wasthethirdpostplayer thatwouldcomeoffthe benchandprovideaspark.

Theadditionofsenior IrmaValleandsomeyoung postplayerscouldgivethe Warriorsanotherstrong presenceinthepaint.

Therewillalsobesome moreweaponsfortheWarriorsontheperimeterwith theirguardsaswell.

Konigshowedherversatilitywithhersizeandabilitytoknockdownthe perimetershot,andMora setuptheoffensefromher pointguardposition.Both weretheothertwoscorers toputupsixpointsper gamelastyear.

SophomoresBrittney LeistandKandiceKnapp wereotherguardsthat gainedexperiencelastsea-

SeeDEPTH,pg.39

WeldonValley

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

TheWeldonValleyWarriorsfellinthefirstthreegamesoftheseason,butshowednewlifethathastheteamfeelingoptimisticgoingintothisseason.

DEPTH frompage38

son.SeniorDaneaBender,who skippedplayingbasketballlast yearbuthasplayedbefore,has stoodoutearlyinpracticesforthe teamaswell.

FortheWarriorstomake strides,itwillhavetocomefrom theirdefense,accordingtoLawrence.

WeldonValleyallowedover56 pointspergamelastseason,which couldnotkeeptheWarriorsinthe gamewiththeir29pointsscored onaverage.

“Iamadefensivecoach,andI wanttoseeandworkondefensea lot,”Lawrencesaid.“Towardsthe endoftheseason,that’swhatI sawfromthegirls.Wewereable tostartpressingandshouldbe abletoutilizethatthisyear.”

Inthesecondhalfofconference play,theWarriorsheldteams underthe56pointaveragefour times,includingawinoverPawneethatmarkedtheirfirstconferencewininnearlytwofullyears. Playingfull-courtissomething Lawrencewantsherteamtobe abletodomorewiththeadded depth,aswellasmixingmatchups moresuitablewithherroster.

Thereisanewsenseofoptimisminpracticesthisyearforthe Warriors.

WeldonValley

Prairiebeganlastseason unranked,butdefeatedFleming andBriggsdaleinthefinalweek oftheregularseasontowinthe NorthCentralLeagueintheregularseason.

Onlyoneseniorgraduated fromlastseason,yettheMustangsbeginthisyearunranked again.

Meanwhile,Briggsdaleand Flemingbothcrackedthetop10 pollsfor1A,hopingtobounce backfromupsetsintheregional tournamentthatpreventedboth teamsfromplayinginthestate tournamentlastyear.

Bothteamsgraduatedafew seniorsbutalsosawmanyunder-

Lawrencehopestogetsome moreearlyseasonmomentum withafewwinsbeforeChristmas breaktogivetheteamsomething tobuildoffofwhentheycome backtoplaysixoftheirfirsteight gamesinJanuaryathome.

“I’mglad,andIthinkwe’re goingtohaveamuchbetteroutcomethisyear,”Rulandsaid. “We’renotgoingtogetasworn outwiththismanyplayers.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

classmenplaybigrolesthat returnthisyear.

Thosethreeteamsarethe teamstowatchagainthiswinter, andtheleaguetitlecouldbeon thelineinthefinalweekofthe seasononceagainbetweenthe

threeschools.

Peetzwillbelookingtomove upintheconferencebygetting somewinsagainstthetopthree teamsintheleague.Allfourwins fortheBulldogswereagainst WeldonValleyandPawnee.As forWeldonValleyandPawnee, bothwereyoungteamslastyear, andarehopingexperienceand moredepththisseasonwilltranslatetomorewins.

BriggsdaleandFlemingarethe teamsmanypeoplewillpick becauseofthelongevityofsuccesstheprogramshavesustainedovertheyears,butthe returningtalentforPrairiemakes theMustangsanintriguingpick fortheleagueaswellthisyear.

Prairieseeksreturntostate

2001wasaspecialyearforthe Prairiegirlsbasketballteam,as thegirlswontheirlaststatechampionshipfortheschool.

Sincethen,theMustangshave beenworkingtogetbacktothe statetournament.

Fourteenyearslater,theMustangsreturnedtothestatetournament,winningtheNorthCentral Leagueregularseasontitleand theirregionaltournamentalong theway.

“Itwasaneye-openingexperiencelastyear,”headcoachJanise Gerksaid.“Alotofthegirlshad notbeentheretostatebefore,let aloneplayatstate.Theatmospherewassomethingallnewfor thesegirls.”

Withallbutonegirlreturning fortheMustangsthisseason,a repeatappearancetostateisbeing plannedfor,buttheteamhasno sitessetonthefinaltournament

justyet.

“Wehavealongwaystogoto getthere,”Gerksaid.

StabilityreturnsfortheMustangswithfourreturningstarters.

SeniorpointguardHaleyDollerschellledtheMustangswith13 pointspergamelastyear,and juniorwingEmilyKaiserwassecondwith10pointspergame.

SeniorHannahFordandjunior MaddiePollartaretheotherstarterscomingbackthisyear.

Theoneplayerinthestarting rotationPrairiewillneedto replaceisRebeccaKaiser,wholed theteaminreboundingandwas ananchorinthepaint.

Oneplayerthatcouldboostthe interiorthisyearisseniorAlly Funk,akeyreservewhoplayed insidelastyear.Shereturnsafter onlyplayingin10gameslastyear duetoaninjury.

“IthinkI’mmoreexcitedthan

mostfortheseasonbecauseIgot takenoutlastseason,”Funksaid. “Allsummer,Ihavebeenworking onrehabbingmyinjury,andalso doingsomeworkoutsinthegym. I’mreadytogo.”

JuniorNicoleDoll,anotherplayerwhocameoffthebenchand playedaroleintherotationlast year,willalsohelptheMustangs lookforinteriorplaythisseason.

Atthebeginningoflastseason, Prairiemadeitaninitiativetobe abletoplayinthehalfcourt againstotherteams.

WhiletheMustangsshowed successwiththeirfullcourtpress andtransitiongame,theywanted tobeconsistentwhenthegame wassloweddown.

Thereweretimeswhenthe Mustangslookedsolidinthehalfcourt,whileothertimestheydid notexecuteaswellastheywould

Remaining201516schedule

December18@Peetz4p.m

January9vs.WeldonValley3 p.m

January12vs.Caliche(NJC, Sterling)4p.m

January15@Pawnee5p.m

January22@Briggsdale4p.m

January23vs.Fleming3p.m

January29vs.Peetz4p.m

January30@UnionColonyPrep 1p.m

February5vs.Pawnee5p.m

February12@Merino4p.m

February13vs.Otis3p.m

February18vs.Fleming(NJC, Sterling)4p.m

February19vs.Briggsdale,4 p.m

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

The2015-16Prairiegirlsbasketballteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:AmandaCarmin(fr.),KaylaDollerschell(so.),PaigeNorthrup(fr.),AmyPollar t(fr.).Back row,lefttoright:EmilyKaiser(jr.),HaleyDollerschell(sr.),HannahFord(sr.),AllyFunk(sr.),MaddiePollart(jr.),NicoleDoll(jr.).

RETURN frompage40

haveliked.

Gerksaiditshowedintheirfirst gameatstateagainstKitCarson thattherewasstillsomeworkto bedoneafterbeingheldto12 pointsinthefirsthalfand35inthe game,11pointsfewerthantheir averagescoringoutputpergame intheseason.

Offensehasbeenafocalpoint forthegirlsintheoffseason,as manyspokeonwantingtoscore andbemoreefficientfromthe fieldthisyear.

“We’vereallybeenworkingon ourfundamentals,ourfreethrows, andourshooting,”juniorEmily Kaisersaid.“Lastyearforme,I

SeeRETURN,pg.42

Prairieseniorpoint guardHaleyDollerschellreturnsasthe leadingscorerforthe teamfromlastyear. Fourstartersandotherkeyreserves returnfromlast year’sstatequalifying team.

BrandonBoles

FortMorganTimes

Ata glance

Head coach: Janise Gerk(8thyear)

2014-15 record: 17-8

Conference: 9-1 (1st)

Playoffs: Great8, 1AState Tournament

RETURN frompage41

feltIwasgoodondefense butnotasmuchon offense.Mygoalistoput moreshotsupandgetto thefreethrowlinemore.”

TheMustangshopeto improveontheir35percentshootingfromthe field,50percentfromthe freethrowline,and21 turnoverspergamethey hadlastyear.

Prairiewillplayanidenticalscheduletolastseason, astheyopenedtheseason againstWigginsandtook partintheDeerTrailTournamentandtheirownPrairieClassictournament. WeldonValleyandPeetz areitsloneconference

gamesbeforebreak,and theMustangswillfaceCaliche,Fleming,Briggsdale, andUnionColonyPrepin fouroftheirfirstseven gamesinJanuary.

IftheMustangscontinue tobuilduptheiroffensive numbersandsecurea presenceinside,areturn triptostatethisseasonis notfaroutofreach.

Andtheteamfeelsthe sameway.

“I’mfeelingreallygood aboutthisseason,”Dollerschellsaid.“Ithinkwe haveareallygoodchance todoingbetterthanwedid lastyear.”

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes ThePrairieMustangscamestormingouttostarttheseason,defeatingWigginsintheir openerandwinningtheDeerTrailTournamentinthefirstweekoftheregularseason.

Strong seniors headlineMustangs

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

FortMorganhasarichwrestlingtradition,andmanystrong grapplershavemadeanamefor themselvesasMustangs.This yearisnoexception,asthreestate wrestlersfromayearagoreturn thiswintertoleadtheprogram.

FrankRosales,AlexMai,and TobyMcBrideallplacedatthe statemeetlastFebruary.Rosales finishedsixth,whileMaiand McBridebothcompetedinthe championshipmatch.

ForMcBride,helandedalate takedowntowinbydecisionand repeatasthe4Astatechampionat 220pounds.

“Youjustcan’tworryaboutstate toomuchyet,”McBridesaid.“I’m justgoingtogooutandwinthe matchesthatIcan.”

AsforMai,hecomesinthisyear withextramotivation.Aftermakingaruntothe195-poundchampionshipmatch,hefellbydecision tofinishsecond.

Thefinalmatchhasbeenonhis mindsince.

“It’sbeenabigmotivator,”Mai said.“Itfeelslikeforthelastfew

yearsthatI’vealwaysbeenthesecondbest.Withfootball,we’vebeen totwosemifinalswithnothingto showforit,andthengettingsecondatstate.I’mtiredofbeingthe secondbest.”

BothMaiandMcBridehadthe chanceinthespringtotravelto thenationaltournamentandgoup againstsomeofthetoptalentin thecountryforachanceto becomeAll-Americans.McBride wouldwinthetournamenttobe giventheAll-Americantitle,while Mainearlyjoinedhiminearning thetitle,winningahandfulofhis

SeeSENIORS,pg.44

Remaining201516schedule

December16vs.FortLupton

6:30p.m.

December18-19NCChristmas @BudweiserEventCenter

January9@DenverSouth(JV only)8:30a.m.

January16@EnglewoodInvite (JVonly)9a.m.

January20trivs.VistaPEAK, WeldCentral5:30p.m.

January22-23@Topofthe Rockies(CentaurusHighSchool)

January23@BrightonHigh School(JVonly)

January30@Brighton Invitational8:30a.m.

February4tri@Sidney,NE, Gearing4:30p.m.

February5MorganCountyDuals @Brush5:30p.m.

February6Colorado7League championships@Englewood9 a.m.

February12-13@Regionals

February18-20@State(Pepsi Center)

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

The2015-16FortMorganwrestlingteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:JamesHochanadel,MichalKrcmarik,PorfirioDelCampo,AbelLopez,DustynRomero, SethAleman,GabeAraujo,JJBoimah.Backrow,lefttoright:ElizabethReynolds,KalebBell,FrankRosales,TobyMcBride,AlexMai,JohnHochanadel, Ali Stroh.

SENIORS frompage43

matches.Theexperienceissomethingthetwohopewillbesomethingtobuildoffofthisyear.

“Everyoneknewyouweregood, sotherewasnounderestimating anybody,”McBridesaid.“You havetogooutthereandgetit done.It’ssomethingIcanbring backtowrestleguyshere.”

Forthesecondstraightseason, headcoachSpikeReynoldshadto adjustthepreseasonpractice schedulewithfootballgoingdeep intothefall.Manyoftheveteran wrestlerswerenotaroundatthe startofpractices,sothecoaches workedextensivelywiththe youngerwrestlersonthefundamentalsofwrestlingatahighlevel.Thesameweektheteamwas gettingsetfortheirdualtourna-

Ataglance

Headcoach: SpikeReynolds

(15thyear)

Statecompetitiorsin201415: 6(1statechampion)

Returningstatecompetitors: 3

mentinWindsor,theotherwrestlersreturned.

Withmorefaceswiththeteam thisseason,Reynoldsfeelhisteam willhaveachancetodosome goodthingsintheregularseason andgetmanywrestlersbackto thePepsiCenterinFebruary.

“We’vegotsomekidsthatI thinkwillstepintothelineupand doverywellthisyear,”Reynolds said.“It’sgoingtobeaninterest-

SeeSENIORS,pg.45

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes FortMorganseniorsTobyMcBride(top)andAlexMaigrappleagainsteach otherinapreseasonpractice.Bothwrestledforastatechampionshiplast seasonandcompetedinthenationalwrestlingtournamentlastspringin Virginia.

SENIORS frompage44

ingyear.”

ThatshowedinthedualtournamentinWindsortoopentheseason,asmanynewvarsityathletes steppedinandwonsomematches early.

Forthefirstpartoftheseason, manyontheteamhavebeenputtinginextraworktogetinshape fortheseason,especiallythefootballplayerswhojoinedtheteam late.

“It’snotjustthephysicalaspect, butalsothementality,”Rosales said.“Ifyouhavethemindsetthat you’regoingtogooutandwin, you’llhavesuccess.Wehavetobe mentallypreparedtogo.”

TheMustangswillbeonthe matsseventimesthismonthand willcompeteinsomestrongtournaments,includingapre-holiday tournamentattheBudweiser EventCenterandtheTopofthe Rockies,anotherstrongregular seasontournament.

Theseniorswillheadlinethe teamthisfall,butReynoldshopes theemergencefromtheyounger athleteswillgivetheMustangsa seasontoremember.

“Wehavesomegoodstepping stonesintheregularseasontoget ustowherewewanttobefor regionalsandstatethisyear,” Reynoldssaid.

COLORADO7 LEAGUE PREVIEW

TheFortMorganMustangswere theloneteamrankedinthepreseasonpollsbyOntheMatWrestlingduetothethreeseniorswho returnthisyeartoleadtheprogram.

TobyMcBride,AlexMai,and FrankRosalesallwenttothestate tournamentandplaced,andall threelooktobeonthepathofgettingbacktothestatetournament thisseason.

FortMorganwasnottheonly teamtohaveanindividualstate champion,asFortLuptonhada seniorwintheheavyweightstate title.Theconferencewasnotas strongthisyear,butmanyteams arehopingtohavesomenewguys emergeandhelpbuildtheprogramsup.

BeforetheMustangstakeon teamsfromtheirconference,they openedwithatoughteamdualin WindsoronDec.5,andfollowedthe followingweekwithfourwrestling events,headlinedbyadualwith Sterling.Thefirstconferencedual willbeonDec.16againstFortLupton.

Withtheirthreestateleaders back,theMustangsseemtobethe teamtowatchforintheColorado7 League.

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes WrestlersfortheMustangsworkongettingoutfrombottomposition duringadrillinpractice.

The2015-16Brushwrestlingteam.JasonWeseman,ColinCole,CodyGlatz,CalebCox,JasonMoreno,WyattHoldrew,EziakelMunoz,ChaseBarnett. Secondrow,lefttoright:WyattPfau,RickyMendez,JouaniGarcia,ArnoldoMaltos-Garcia,ThomasMetteln,DavidDunham,IsaacMorales,PeytonSchott. Backrow,lefttoright:AssistantcoachAaronQuinlin,headcoachTroyLussenhop,OswaldoNunez,JaydeQueen,JeronPetterson,TobyMcDonald,Josiah Fuentes,TaylorGotto,RiggsTann,assitantcoachChadRomero.Notpictured:JustinGriffith,TristanDory,DanielAbarca,RandyWoodward,assistant coachChadCox.

Newtalenteagertostepin

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

Graduating12seniorsisnever aneasyadjustmenttomake,and BrushheadwrestlingcoachTroy Lussenhopadmittedhefeltnervouscomingintheearlypartof

theseasonhavingtoreplace thoseseniors,twoofwhomwon individualstatetitles.

Butafterapreseasonwiththe entireteamonhand,thosenerves havegoneaway,andanewsense ofexcitementhasemergedwith histeam.

“Having15freshmencomein andhavingagoodleaderin ArnoldoMaltos-Garcia,weshould befiringonallcylindersbythe endoftheyear,”Lussenhopsaid. “It’sexcitingtohavethismany newkidsintheroom.”

Anotherreasonforexcitement

thisseasonisthefactthatallthe kidsontheteamwillhavegone throughalengthypreseasonto getreadyfortheirfirstactionon thematsthisyear.

Withfootballgoingalltheway tothestatechampionshipgame

SeeTALENT,pg.47

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

Remaining201516schedule

December19BrushPre-Holiday Invite9a.m.

January7tri@EstesPark,Platte Valley5:30p.m.

January12vs.LaJunta6p.m.

January14@Sterling6:30p.m.

January15-16@MelSmithInvite (Florence)

January16@WigginsInvite(JV team)9a.m.

January21tri@Highland,Lyons 5:30p.m.

January22-23@Topofthe Rockies(Centauri)

January28trivs.Strasburg, University5:30p.m.

February4vs.Valley6:30p.m.

February5MorganCountyDuals vs.FortMorgan,Wiggins5:30 p.m.

February12-13@Regionals

February18-20@State(Pepsi Center)

TALENT frompage46

lastseason,manyofthewrestlers weremissingandhadtoquickly transitionatthebeginningoflast season.

Havingeveryonearoundweeks outfromtheirfirsttournamentof theseasongivestheteamextra confidenceearly,accordingto Lussenhop.

“We’llprobablyhaveeightmore practicesbeforetheseasonthan wehavehadinpreviousyears,” Lussenhopsaid.“Inprevious years,I’vehadsixorsevendays topreparekids,butthisyearwe hadafullpreseasontogetthem ready.”

ThebigheadlinewiththeBeetdiggerswrestlingteamthisseasonisthenumberofyoungerathleteswhowillstepintofillsome holesvacatedbythegraduating

Ataglance

Headcoach: TroyLussenhop(5th year)

Numberofstateparticipants: 9 (3champions,2ndteam)

Returningstatecompetitiors: 1

seniors.

Lussenhopsaidtheymaygo throughsomebumpsandbruises intheirfirstseasonatthevarsity level,butfeltconfidentthey wouldbeuptothechallenge.

“Ihaveagoodfeelingthatalot ofthosekidscanpersevereand fightthroughthat,”Lussenhop said.

Therearemanyotherveteran athleteswhodocomebackthat willhelpleadtheteamthisyear.

Maltos-Garciawrestledinthe statetournamentlastyear,and JeronPetterson,JasonMoreno, andTobyMcDonaldaresomeof theathletesthathadsolidyears lastyearandhopetobuildoffof thatsuccesstowardastaterun thisyear.

Tohelpayoungerteamgain somemomentumthisyear,the Beetdiggerswillbecompetingin winnabletournamentsandduals inDecembertospringthemona runafterwinterbreak.

TheseasonstartedinAkronon Dec.5,andwasfollowedwith threestraighteventsathome.

AduelwithEatontookplaceon Dec.10andtheBrushDualTournamentwentdownDec.12.

SeeTALENT,pg.48

Wrestling Brush

TALENT frompage47

Thisweekend,theteamwill hosttheirPre-HolidayInvite.

“Imadeourschedulealittle easieratthebeginningoftheyear sowecouldgetsomeconfidence early,”Lussenhopsaid.“Having thismanyyoungkids,Ididn’t wantthemtogetbeatuptoo muchearly.”

Thescheduleafterwinterbreak includestheMelSmithInvitein FlorenceandtheTopoftheRockiestournamentatCentaurus HighSchool,twobiggerregular seasontournaments.

Brushwillconcludetheregular seasonwiththreestraighthome meetsinlateJanuaryandearly Februarybeforeregionals,with theMorganCountyDualsagainst FortMorganandWigginshead-

liningthetrioofhomemeetson Feb.5.Comingoffastrongseasonthatincludedtwostatechampionsandasecond-placefinishas ateaminstatelastyear,theBeetdiggersaremakingitagoaltoget backtothePepsiCenterandto makesomenoiseagainthisseason.

Thetargetbeingofftheteam’s backhasBrushlookingtoquietly shine.

“Itwouldbeanamazingperformance,”Lussenhopsaid.“We’re probablynotintheconversation, soit’snicetoknowthatwe’re kindoftheunderdog.”

BrandonBoles:970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.comor twitter.com/FMT_Sports

PATRIOTLEAGUEPREVIEW

TheValleyVikingsarethe defendingteamchampionsfrom class3A,andthereismuch anticipationfortheteamthis year.

InadditiontoValley,thePatriotLeaguewillhavemanyteams towatchfor.OntheMatWrestlingrankedtheVikingsno.1, andalsointhetop10wereSterling,PlatteValleyandEaton.

Brushwasnotrankedinthe preseasonrankingsaftergraduating12seniors,buttheteam willbestrongcompetitioninthe leaguethisyear.Leadingthe wayfortheBeetdiggerswillbe ArnoldoMaltos-Garcia,theonly oneoftheninewrestlersthat wenttostatelastyearthat returns.Otherstrongwrestlers

acrosstheboardcanjoinhim thisyear,includingColinCole, JeronPetterson,amongothers. HeadcoachTroyLussenhop alsospokehighlyofhisfreshmanclassthisseason,andfeels theycouldmakesomenoisethis seasonaswell.

Feb.4willbeadatecircledon thecalendarformanyinBrush, astheBeetdiggershostValleyin aconferencedual.Brushalso hostedEatonandtheirsecond tournamentofthemonththis weekend.

Ifayoungteamcangrowup quickly,theBeetdiggerswillbe adarkhorseintheloadedPatriotLeague,butthecompetition willbejustastoughasever beforethisseason.

DonaldE.Neb•Broker•AllynWind•GeneDoty•SharonWardell JohnClatworthy•ChirsLey•SusanBrowne•LeAndraMarrymee

Tigersworkingto sendmoretostate

ByBrandonBoles TimesSportsReporter

Inhissecondseasonashead coachoftheWigginswrestling team,DaveCroissantisfeeling goodabouthisteam,inlargepart duetothestridesmadebyeveryonelatelastseasonandhowwell practiceshavebeengoinginthe preseasonsofar.

“Wegotthekinksworkedout lastyear,”Croissantsaid.“All theseguysarecominginwiththe

skillsthatwewantthemtohave. We’renotfixingstuffnow,we’re justbuildingonwhattheyalready know.”

Lastyear’steamwaslowon numbersbutprovedtobestrong intheirhead-to-headmatches.A handfulofwrestlershadagood shotatqualifyingforthestate tournament,andtwodidearnthe shottogotothePepsiCenterto endtheseason.Oneofthosetwo returnthisyearinsophomore CaelCrossiant.

“Itwasanamazingrunforme,” CaelCroissantsaid.“Itwasan honortogothereandjustseealot oftheexperiencetheseguyshave, andtowatchthosematchesand learnfromthem.”

JuniorCameronHolmmissed statelastyear,buthaswrestledin thestatetournamentbefore.

Thisyear’steamfeaturesanotheryoungroster,butmoredepth withdoubledigitwrestlersgoing out,manyofwhomarereturning

SeeWORKING,pg.50

Remaining201516schedule

December19@Wray Tournament9:15a.m.

January7trivs.Holyoke, SedgwickCounty4p.m.

January9@Westminster Tournament9a.m.

January14tri@Akron,Yuma4 p.m.

January16WigginsTournament 9a.m.

January21@Merino4p.m.

January23@JohnF.Kennedy Tournament9a.m.

January29MorganCountyDuals @Brush5:30p.m.

January30@ValleyTournament 9a.m.

February6@EatonTournament 9a.m.

February12-13Regionals@NJC (Sterling)

February18-20@State(Pepsi Center)

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

The2015-16Wigginswrestlingteam.Frontrow,lefttoright:MarkBarkdoll(fr.),JoeDorren(fr.),BryndenWilson(fr.),CodyRyan(so.).Backrow,leftto right:CaidenLee(8th),MichaelMartinez(jr.),DavidNance(jr.),CaelCroissant(so.),CameronHolm(jr.),HurbanoVillarreal(fr.),BradleyLealiw(8th).

WORKING frompage49

athletes.CroissantandHolm headlinethesmallerweightdivisions,andjuniorDavidNance, whocameclosetoqualifyingfor state,willbealeaderfortheteam intheupperweightdivisions.

Earlyinthepreseason,Nance hasbeenimpressedwiththe team’seffortinpractice,especially fromtheyoungerathletes.That drive,hesays,willmakethema playerintheLowerPlatteLeague andatregionalsthisseason.

“We’reyoung,butwehavealot ofheart,”Nancesaid.“Lastyear weendedwithsixguys,andthis yearwe’restartingwith13.I’m hopingfortopfiveatregionalsthis year.Ithinkit’sgoingtobeagood yearforus.”

Sofarinthepreseason,theteam

Ataglance

Headcoach: DaveCroissant

hasbeendoingmostlytechnical workandworkingonsituationsin neutral,topandbottomposition. Croissantsaidthebigkeyearlyfor theteamwastogetinwrestling shape,sothepacehasbeen pushedearlytohelpthatprocess. WigginsmadeitsdebutthisseasonathomeagainstUniversityin ahomedualonDec.4andclose themonthwiththreetournaments beforethewinterbreakinAkron, Limon,andWray.Forthefirst

SeeWORKING,pg.51

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes WigginssophomoreCaelCroissantisthelonereturningstatewrestlerfrom lastyear.HetooksecondplaceintheAkronInvitationalandwonhismatch againstUniversityinthefirstweekoftheseason.

LOWER PLATTE LEAGUE PREVIEW

Twoteamswererankedby OntheMatWrestlinginthe preseason polls. Highland is thehighestrankedteam,cominginatno.6,whileAkron startstheseasonno.10.

Wigginswillcompete againstAkroninadualonJan.

14,andalsosawtheRamsin theAkronInvitationalonDec.

5.Highlandwillalsobeat someofthetournamentsthe Tigerswillcompeteinduring theregularseason.

WORKING frompage50

matchafterthewinterbreak,the T igerswillhostHolyokeand SedgwickCounty.

Lateintheseason,theteamwill takeastepupincompetitionwith sometournamentsitwillbein, includingtheJohnF.Kennedy TournamentandtwolatetournamentsinValley,thedefending3A teamchampions,andEaton.

“Ilikethediversityofourschedule,”DaveCroissantsaid.“We startbeforeChristmasgoing

againstmany2Ateams,andthen afterChristmaswe’llgetsome goodtournaments.TheValley tournamentisgoingtobeour toughesttournamentoftheyear, therewillbesomegoodteams there.”

Croissantalsosaidacouplenew teamswillbecomingtotheTigers hometournamentonJan.16, strengtheningthecompetition.

Allthegoalsaresetonmakingit tothestatetournamentcomeFeb-

ruary,butuntilthatpoint,the Tigerswillbeputtingincountless hoursinthewrestlingroomto keepimprovingandbuildingearly. Theteamhasmadeitapointto workharderthanitsopponents, hopefultoresultinsuccessin matchesandtournamentstoward itsultimategoal.

“Wereallyhavetobeworking hardinpractices,”Nancesaid. “Wewanttoletpeopleknowthat wearelegit.”

Asmallerrosterlastseason hadtheTigersfallintheteam scoresduetoforfeits,butthey wonmanyhead-to-head matchesinthoseduals.Oneof theleaderslastyearinsophomoreCaelCroissantreturns thisfall.

LookfortheTigerstohave somefreshmenstepinearly andproduce,aswellasget somejuniorsandseniorslike CameronHolm,DavidNance, andDillonDonaghyinthe conversationtomakearun towardsthestatetournament thisseason.

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

WigginsjuniorCameronHolmisoneoftheTigerswrestlerslookingtogettothestatetournamentthisyear.

Boys Basketball

December2@StandleyLake7 p.m.

December10-12@Ponderosa

Tournament

December15vs.Erie7p.m.

December18@Sidney,NE7 p.m.

December19@Brush7p.m.

January5vs.Skyviw7p.m.

January8vs.VistaPEAK7p.m.

January12@FortLupton7p.m.

January14vs.Sterling7p.m.

January15vs.Alameda7p.m.

January19vs.Elizabeth7p.m.

January22@WeldCentral7 p.m.

Januar y23@PlatteValley7p.m.

January26@Englewood7p.m.

January29@Skyview7p.m.

Februar y2@V istaPEAK7p.m.

February5vs.FortLupton7 p.m.

Februar y9@Alameda7p.m.

February12@Elizabeth7p.m.

February16vs.WeldCentral7 p.m.

February18vs.Englewood7 p.m.

Schedules

FortMorganMustangs

February26-27@State(Round 1,Sweet16)

March4-5@State(Great8)

March10-12@State(FinalFour, StateChampionship)

GirlsBasketball

December9-12@D’EvelynJungleJamTournament

December15vs.Erie5:30p.m.

December18@Sidney,NE5:30 p.m.

December19@Brush5:30p.m.

January5@Skyviw7p.m.

January8vs.VistaPEAK5:30 p.m.

January12@FortLupton5:30 p.m.

January14vs.Sterling5:30p.m.

January15vs.Alameda5:30 p.m.

January19vs.Elizabeth5:30 p.m.

January22@WeldCentral5:30 p.m.

January23vs.PlatteValley7 p.m.

January26vs.Englewood7p.m.

January29vs.Skyview7p.m.

January30@Roosevelt7p.m.

Februar y2@V istaPEAK5:30 p.m.

February5vs.FortLupton5:30 p.m.

Februar y9@Alameda5:30p.m.

February12@Elizabeth5:30 p.m.

February16vs.WeldCentral 5:30p.m.

February18@Englewood7 p.m.

February26-27@State(Round 1,Sweet16)

March4-5@State(Great8)

March10-12@State(FinalFour, StateChampionship)

Wrestling

December1vs.Sterling7p.m.

December5@WindsorTournament9a.m.

December10@Holyoke6:30 p.m.

December11vs.Montrose5:30 p.m.

December12@RooseveltInvi-

tational9a.m.

December16vs.FortLupton 6:30p.m.

December18-19NCChristmas @BudweiserEventCenter

Januar y9@DenverSouth(JV only)8:30a.m.

January16@EnglewoodInvite (JVonly)9a.m.

January20trivs.VistaPEAK, WeldCentral5:30p.m.

January22-23@Topofthe Rockies(CentaurusHighSchool)

January23@BrightonHigh School(JVonly)

January30@BrightonInvitational8:30a.m.

February4tri@Sidney,NE, Gearing4:30p.m.

February5MorganCounty Duals@Brush5:30p.m.

February6Colorado7League championships@Englewood9 a.m.

February12-13@Regionals

February18-20@State(Pepsi Center)

Games,meetsandtimesaresubject tochange

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

GerardoMirandaofFortMorganlookstotimeupashootattemptinhismatchversusSterlingonDec.8.

BoysBasketball

December1@Akron7p.m.

December4vs.PlatteValley7 p.m.

December11vs.Strasburg7 p.m.

December15vs.University7 p.m.

December18@Sterling7p.m.

December19vs.FortMorgan7 p.m.

January8@Eaton7p.m.

January12vs.FrontierAcademy

7p.m.

January15vs.Valley7p.m.

January19@PlatteValley7p.m.

January22@Strasburg7p.m.

January23@EstesPark4p.m.

January26@University7p.m.

January29vs.Sterling7p.m.

February2vs.Yuma7p.m.

February4vs.Eaton7p.m.

February6vs.EstesPark4p.m.

Februar y9@FrontierAcademy

7p.m.

February12@Valley7p.m.

February15-27@Districts

March4-6@State(Roundof32, Sweet16)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

GirlsBasketball

December1@Akron5:30p.m.

December4@PlatteValley7 p.m.

December11vs.Strasburg5:30 p.m.

December15@University7 p.m.

December18vs.Sterling7p.m.

December19vs.FortMorgan 5:30p.m.

January8vs.Eaton7p.m.

January12@FrontierAcademy 7p.m.

January15@Valley7p.m.

January19vs.PlatteValley7 p.m.

January22@Strasburg5:30 p.m.

January23@EstesPark2:30 p.m.

January26vs.University7p.m.

January29@Sterling7p.m.

February2vs.Yuma5:30p.m.

Februar y5@Eaton7p.m.

February6vs.EstesPark2:30 p.m.

Schedules BrushBeetdiggers

February9vs.FrontierAcademy7p.m.

February12vs.Valley7p.m.

February15-27@Districts

March4-6@State(Roundof32, Sweet16)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

Wrestling

December5@ChuckAnnand

Tournament(Akron)9a.m.

December10vs.Eaton6:30p.m.

December12BrushDualTour-

nament9a.m.

December19BrushPre-Holiday Invite9a.m.

January7tri@EstesPark, PlatteValley5:30p.m.

January12vs.LaJunta6p.m.

January14@Sterling6:30p.m.

January15-16@MelSmith Invite(Florence)

January16@WigginsInvite(JV team)9a.m.

January21tri@Highland, Lyons5:30p.m.

January22-23@Topofthe

Rockies(CentaurusHighSchool)

January28trivs.Strasburg,University5:30p.m.

February4vs.Valley6:30p.m.

February5MorganCounty

Dualsvs.FortMorgan,Wiggins 5:30p.m.

February12-13@Regionals

February18-20@State(Pepsi Center)

Games,meetsandtimesaresubject tochange

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes

BrushseniorBJHirschfelddrivestothepaintagainstPlatteValleyinthehomeopeneronDec.4.

BoysBasketball

December1vs.WeldonValley4 p.m.

December2@Prairie4p.m.

December11-12HolidayTournament(home)

December17@WeldCentral4 p.m.

December18@Byers4p.m.

January5vs.Holyoke(NJC, Sterling)3p.m.

January8vs.Yuma4p.m.

January12vs.Merino4p.m.

January15@Caliche4p.m.

January22@Akron4p.m.

January23vs.UnionColony Prep1p.m.

January29vs.Holyoke4p.m.

January30@Wray2p.m.

February5vs.Haxtun4p.m.

Februar y6@Merino2p.m.

February12vs.Akron4p.m.

Feburary16vs.SedgwickCoun-

Schedules Wiggins

ty(NJC,Sterling)3p.m.

February18@Limon4:30p.m.

February26-27@Districts

March2-5@Regionals

March10-12@State

GirlsBasketball

December1vs.WeldonValley4 p.m.

December2@Prairie4p.m.

December11-12HolidayTournament(home)

December17@WeldCentral4 p.m.

December18@Byers4p.m.

January5vs.Holyoke(NJC, Sterling)3p.m.

January8vs.Yuma4p.m.

January12vs.Merino4p.m.

January15@Caliche4p.m.

January22@Akron4p.m.

January23vs.UnionColony

Prep1p.m.

January29vs.Holyoke4p.m.

January30@Wray2p.m.

February5vs.Haxtun4p.m.

Februar y6@Merino2p.m.

February12vs.Akron4p.m.

Feburary16vs.SedgwickCounty(NJC,Sterling)3p.m.\

February18@Limon4:30p.m.

February26-27@Districts

March2-5@Regionals

March10-12@State

Wrestling

December4vs.University4 p.m.

December5@AkronTournament9a.m.

December12@LimonTournament9a.m.

December19@WrayTournament9:15a.m.

January7trivs.Holyoke,SedgwickCounty4p.m.

January9@WestminsterTournament9a.m.

January14tri@Akron,Yuma4 p.m.

January16WigginsTournament 9a.m.

January21@Merino4p.m.

January23@JohnF.Kennedy Tournament9a.m.

January29MorganCounty Duals@Brush5:30p.m.

January30@ValleyTournament9a.m.

Februar y6@EatonTournament9a.m.

February12-13Regionals@ NJC(Sterling)

February18-20@State(Pepsi Center)

Games,meetsandtimesaresubject tochange

BrandonBoles /FortMorganTimes WigginsheadcoachWillVonLohaddresseshisteaminatimeoutagainstWeldonValleyonDec.1.

Boys Basketball

December1@Wiggins4p.m.

December4-5@JeffSherman Memorial(Woodlin)

December9vs.DenverJewish Day5p.m.

December12@Fleming2p.m.

December14vs.Prairie4p.m.

December19vs.Briggsdale4 p.m.

January8vs.Otis4p.m.

January9@Prairie3p.m.

January14@Briggsdale4p.m.

January16vs.Caliche2p.m.

January21vs.Pawnee5p.m.

January23vs.Peetz2p.m.

January28vs.FaithBaptist6 p.m.

February5vs.Fleming4p.m.

Februar y6@Peetz2p.m.

February12@Pawnee5p.m.

February19@FaithBaptist (Longmont)6p.m.

February20@Bethune1p.m.

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

GirlsBasketball

December1@Wiggins4p.m.

December4-5@JeffSherman Memorial(Woodlin)

December9vs.DenverJewish Day5p.m.

Schedules

WeldonValleyWarriors

BoysBasketball

December2vs.Wiggins4p.m.

December4-5@DeerTrail Tournament

December11-12PrairieClassic Tournament

December14@WeldonValley4 p.m.

December18@Peetz4p.m.

January9vs.WeldonValley3 p.m.

January12vs.Caliche(NJC, Sterling)4p.m.

January15@Pawnee5p.m.

January22@Briggsdale4p.m.

December12@Fleming2p.m.

December14vs.Prairie4p.m.

December19vs.Briggsdale4 p.m.

January8vs.Otis4p.m.

Januar y9@ Prairie 3p.m.

January14@Briggsdale4p.m.

January16vs.Caliche2p.m.

January21vs.Pawnee5p.m.

January23vs.Peetz2p.m.

January28vs.FaithBaptist6 p.m.

February5vs.Fleming4p.m.

Februar y6@Peetz2p.m.

February12@Pawnee5p.m.

February19@FaithBaptist

PrairieMustangs

January23vs.Fleming3p.m.

January29vs.Peetz4p.m.

January30@UnionColony Prep1p.m.

February5vs.Pawnee5p.m.

February12@Merino4p.m.

February13vs.Otis3p.m.

February18vs.Fleming(NJC, Sterling)4p.m.

February19vs.Briggsdale,4 p.m.

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

GirlsBasketball

December2vs.Wiggins4p.m.

December4-5@DeerTrail Tournament

December11-12PrairieClassic Tournament

December14@WeldonValley4 p.m.

December18@Peetz4p.m.

January9vs.WeldonValley3 p.m.

January12vs.Caliche(NJC, Sterling)4p.m.

January15@Pawnee5p.m.

January22@Briggsdale4p.m.

January23vs.Fleming3p.m.

(Longmont)6p.m.

February20@Bethune1p.m.

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland) *Gamesandtimessubjecttochange

January29vs.Peetz4p.m.

January30@UnionColony Prep1p.m.

February5vs.Pawnee5p.m.

February12@Merino4p.m.

February13vs.Otis3p.m.

February18vs.Fleming(NJC, Sterling)4p.m.

February19vs.Briggsdale,4 p.m.

February22-27Districts@NJC (Sterling)

March4-5@Regionals(TBD)

March10-12@State(Loveland)

*Gamesandtimessubjecttochange

BrandonBoles/FortMorganTimes TheWeldonValleygirlsbasketballteambreakshuddleduringagamethisseason.Theteamwantstoseeimprovmentfromlastyear.