Star-Herald Winter Sports 2013

Master on the Mat

Photo by RANDY HENRY/For the Star-Herald

Scottsbluff High School senior Colton Adams is aiming to close out his storied prep wrestling career with a fourth straight championship at the Class B state tournament this season. Adams, who owns a career record of 138-4, is the all-class, state-record holder for wins in a season with 56 and the Class B state-record holder for pins in a season with 41. He set both of those marks last season as a junior. Adams will continue his wrestling career at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Photo by JEREMY WOZNICK/Star-Herald

ABOVE: Scottsbluff’s Colton Adams wrestles an opponent from Kearney during last year’s Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference Tournament in Scottsbluff.

Photo by ALYSSA SCHUKAR/World-Herald News Service

RIGHT: Scottsbluff’s Colton Adams gets his hand raised after winning his third consecutive Class B state championship last season in Omaha.

Winter Sports Preview

2 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Adams looking to make history Scottsbluff wrestler hoping to earn 4th state title

the Walsh Ironman elite tournament held annually at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Last season Adams compiled 56 wins to break the all-class record for most wins in a season and set the Class B record for

By DAVE BRUNZ most pins in a season with Star-Herald Sports Reporter 41. Setting records, he said, isn’t his main goal COT TSBLUFF — this season.

In 1947, Omaha “Those records will get Central’s Herb Reese became Nebraska’s broken at some point,” he said. “It’s no big deal.” first-ever four-time state What is a big deal to wrestling champion at him, though, is to domiheavyweight, and in the nate his competition.

67 years since, only 19 “I want to try to be as others have accomplished dominant as I can in every that feat, including 14 match and win Ironman,” since 2000.

Adams noted. “That’s Scottsbluff’s Colton Adams is not only on track pretty much it.”

Adams isn’t feeling any to claim the state’s 20th pressure coming into this “four-peat,” but is only 43 season, even though he wins shy of breaking the will be wrestling up in all-class record for wins (180) set by Austin Wilson weight. Adams has won state titles at 112 pounds of Hastings St. Cecilia in 2011. In fact, Adams needs as a freshmen, 126 as a sophomore, and 132 only 34 more wins to as a junior. This year’s break the Class B record weight class hasn’t been of 171 wins set in 2008 by disclosed yet, though.

Omaha Skutt Catholic’s Tyler Sackett. Additionaly, The Bearcats periodically move wrestlers around Adams and his Bearcat to accommodate open teammates are setting classes, and Adams isn’t their sights on improving exempt from wrestling up on last year’s runner-up one or two classes to help finish in Class B and claiming Scottsbluff’s first his team.

“I feel like the only state title since 1989.

“I think it will be a real- pressure on me is going to Ironman and trying to ly great season,” Adams win it, you know,” he said. said. “I’m really looking forward to that and seeing “State and the rest of the season isn’t too bad. I’ll be how we do.”

The senior will be kick- wrestling up in weight, so ing off his final season it might be a little toughwith an astounding 138er.”

4 career record, losing Adams signed on to three of those matches at wrestle for University of

S

Photo by DAVE BRUNZ/Star-Herald

Scottsbluff’s Colton Adams (top) competes in a wrestling match last season at Scottsbluff High School. Adams is seeking a fourth straight state championship.

Nebraska-Lincoln head wrestling coach Mark Manning back in August and will join future Cornhusker teammate Eric Coufal, who won four state titles for Class D Howells from 2008-12. Adams has visited the Nebraska campus and facilities a lot over the last couple of years and is excited to take his

talents to the next level.

“I like the university, and the coaches there are great,” he said. “I feel like I made a good choice there.”

Adams has tirelessly been training for the upcoming season, which is no different than any other year. But over the summer while wrestling

in a tournament, Adams suffered a broken hand, causing him to lose the match. Despite the setback, the Bearcat captain has made a full recovery and is ready for the Blazer Duals this Saturday in Torrington.

Joining Adams in Scottsbluff’s quest for a Class B state cham-

pionship is returning state champion Keegan Hessler, a junior; state runner-up Juan Delacruz, junior; state medalist Joseph Flores-Ybarra, junior; state qualifier Sabian Harsh, junior; state qualifier Tristan Donelson, junior; and state medalist Andrew Aratani, a senior.

Prep Swimming and Diving Summaries Scottsbluff/ Gering Girls Nickname: Seacats Conference: GNAC Last year’s conference placing: Fourth Last year’s state meet placing: Did not score Head coach: Mike Hayhurst Years as Scottsbluff/Gering’s head coach: 14th Varsity assistant coaches: Judy John, Deb Post, Becky Cheek, Jaime Hutchison Returning state qualifiers: Cierra Weatherfield, jr., 200 IM, 500 Free; Vanessa Woolsey, sr., 100 fly, 100 back; Erin Weatherman, jr., 100 fly, 100 back; Emily Yanke, sr., 200 free, 100 free; Anna Yanke, so., 10 0 free, 10 0 breaststroke; Sarah Cloud, so., 200 IM, 100 breaststroke; Jessie Sorenson, sr., 50 free, 100 free Other returning letter winners: Hannah Holloway, so., 200 IM, 100 fly Top newcomers/transfers: Hailey Sanderson, fr., 200,

100, IM Season outlook: “We will need to develop depth in our lineup through improvement in the first and second year swimmers,” Coach Hayhurst said. “Our experienced swimmers will have to make major improvements in order for the Seacats to challenge for the GNAC title and a top-15 state finish.”

Team strengths: “We have great team chemistry with a lot of hard working, classy kids in the program,” Hayhurst said. “ We have ver y good middle level depth but need to move these swimmers into scoring positions at the state level.”

Team g oal s : “ O ur g oal s once again are to finish the dual season undefeated, a task we have accomplished every year since 2001 [with over 60 straight dual wins],” Hayhurst said. “We also want to reclaim the GNAC title after finishing fourth last year. Finally, we will strive for a top-15 state finish, which will require major improvements in the

relays and big drops by our state qualifiers from last year.”

Other comments: Last season Weatherfield qualified for state in the 200 IM, 500 free, and 400 freestyle relay and was the GNAC champion in the IM and 500. She’s a team captain this year. ... Woolsey qualified for state in the 100 fly and is a team captain this year. ... Emily Yanke is also a team captain this year.

Last year’s highlights: Cierra Weatherfield won the 200 IM and 500 free in the GNAC meet. Also, the Seacat girls finished 2-0 in duals to go undefeated in duals every season since 2001. In addition, Scottsbluff/Gering qualified eight girls for state, swimming in six events.

Former athletes currently competing in college: Taylor Counter, Western Kentucky; Triniti Counter Schedule Dec. 7............. Hastings Invite Dec. 13............McCook Quad Dec. 20................North Platte Triangular Jan. 4...... Greeley West Invite

Jan. 14..........Intersquad meet Jan. 24-25......Twin City Invite Jan. 31-Feb. 1............ Omaha Westside Invite Feb. 7...........Intersquad meet Feb. 14-15.................GNAC at Scottsbluff Feb. 27-March 1........ State at Lincoln

Scottsbluff/ Gering Boys Nickname: Seacats Conference: GNAC Last year’s conference placing: Third Last year’s state meet placing: 18th Head coach: Mike Hayhurst Years as Scottsbluff/Gering’s head coach: 14th Varsity assistant coaches: Judy John, Deb Post, Becky Cheek, Jaime Hutchison Returning state qualifiers: James Maag, jr., 200, 500; Zach Puckett, sr., 50, 100; Baylen Smith, sr., 200, 100, 100 back; Noah Miller, sr., diving Top newcomers/transfers:

Ian Galindo, fr., 200, 50, IM, fly, 100; Jon Hastings, so., 200, 500, 100 breaststroke; John Stark, fr., 200, 500, 100 breaststroke; Tito Garcia, fr., multiple events Season outlook: “We will need to count on some newcomers to achieve our goals of a GNAC title and a top 15 state finish,” Coach Hayhurst said. “We return the conference’s top diver, and Noah should challenge for a medal at the state meet. We will be challenged in our goal of an undefeated dual season, t ak ing on Wyoming st ate champion Cheyenne Central.

To achieve any of these goals, we will have to develop upper and middle level depth, especially in the difficult events – the 200 IM and 100 fly.”

Team strengths : “A ver y good freshman class as well as super team chemistry,” Hayhurst said. “Diving and breaststroke are also strengths.”

Other comments: Last season at state Miller placed 10th in diving, the highest placing

at state by a Seacat boy in school history. He also placed first in the GNAC meet. He’s a team captain this year, along with Baylen Smith, who is one of three senior returning state meet qualifiers. ... Hastings, a transfer from Norfolk, was a GNAC finalist last year.

Last year’s highlights: Jon Wiebe reached the finals at state in the 50 and 100 freestyles.

Schedule Dec. 7.............Hastings Invite Dec. 13........... McCook Quad Dec. 20............... North Platte Triangular Jan. 7...... at Cheyenne South Jan. 9........... at Cheyenne vs.

Central and South Jan. 14......... Intersquad meet Jan. 18.Cheyenne East Invite Jan. 24-25..... Twin City Invite Jan. 31-Feb. 1............Omaha Westside Invite Feb. 7.......... Intersquad meet Feb. 14-15................ GNAC at Scottsbluff Feb. 27-March 1........ State at Lincoln

We are building a team for the future!

Regional West Physicians Clinic-Orthopaedics offers comprehensive orthopaedic and musculoskeletal care for arthritis, reconstructive surgery, hand disease, hand trauma, sports medicine, overuse disorders, arthroscopic surgery, pediatric musculoskeletal disease, and trauma.

Timothy Friedlein, MD, FAAOS

Eric Gardner, MD

Anthony Sanchez, MD, FAAOS

Greg Sarin, DO

To schedule an appointment please call 308.635.1414 or toll-free 888.635.1114.

No referral necessary.

Bryan Scheer, MD, FAAOS

Andreas Sauerbrey, MD, FAAOS

Abbie Cross, PA-C

Physicians Clinic ORTHOPAEDICS

Two West 42nd Street | Suite 120 | Scottsbluff, NE 69361 | 308.635.1414 | www.PhysiciansClinic.net

Trisha Lacey, MPAS, PA-C

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 3

Prep Wrestling Summaries Alliance

season Grubbs posted a 7-17 record.

Nickname: Bulldogs L a s t ye ar ’s h i g h l i g ht s : Class: B Qualifying three wrestlers Schedule for state and having one Dec. 7.............. Cozad Invite wrestler place at state.

Dec. 12........... at Scottsbluff Former athletes currently Dec. 14.. Charlie Lake Invite competing in college: David at Cheyenne Gifford, wrestling at 285 for Dec. 21........Valentine Invite Colorado School of Mines Jan. 9................. at Chadron Schedule Jan. 10-11..... Douglas Invite Dec. 6................... Crawford Jan. 18......... Schuyler Invite Dec. 14...............Harrisburg Jan. 24-25....Chadron Invite Dec. 21.............. Sutherland Jan. 28...................... Gering Jan. 9................ WTC Duals Jan. 31..........McCook Duals Jan. 11...................Oshkosh Feb. 4.............. at Torrington Jan. 18........ Cheyenne East Feb. 8........Southeast Duals Jan. 24-25............Lingle-Ft. Laramie Banner County Feb. 1..................... Mitchell Feb. 8................. Southeast Nickname: Wildcats Feb. 14-15.Districts at North Class: D Platte District: 4 Feb. 20-22..State at Omaha Head coach: Bill Gifford Years as Banner County’s Bayard head coach: 14 Varsity assistant coach: Nickname: Tigers Martin Olsen Class: C Returning starters (1): GarLast year’s dual record: rett Grubbs, so., 138 4-4 Top newcomers/transfers: Conferenc e : Western Tallion McGowan, fr., 106; Trails Vincent Palomo, jr., 120; Last year ’s conference Sam Hoover, jr., 132; Troy tournament placing: Third Isom, so., 160 District: 4 Season outlook: “We battle Last year’s district tournanumbers every year, but we ment placing: First are used to the challenge,” Last year’s state tournaCoach Gifford said. “Our ment placing: 13th in Omateam is extremely inexpe- ha; fourth at dual state in rienced this year with only Kearney t wo wre st l er s w i t h h i g h Head coaches: Randy s c h o o l ex p e r i e n c e . We McKibbin and Corey Barker will have to work to build a To p w r e s t l e r s : R o b e r t strong work ethic and focus Niezwaag, jr., 126; Brandon on the fundamentals. The Bowers, sr., 132 ; Kyler kids are ready to work hard Sides, sr., 145; Trenton Apand learn every day and plegate, sr., 160-170; Tristan are excited to be a part of Hunter, jr., 182-195; Tanner Banner County wrestling. I Willey, sr., 195-220; Chris feel we can really improve Wurm, sr., 285 quickly once we gain a little Individual notes: Willey experience on the mat.” placed fifth at state last year Team strengths: “Our love and finished the season for the sport of wrestling and 35-7. He earned All-WTC the desire to improve every honor s. Applegate went day along with a strong work 39-10 last year, qualified for ethic will help us reach our state, and earned All-WTC potential,” Gifford said. honors. Bowers finished 23Team goals: “We want to 25, qualified for state, and improve our wrestling and earned All-W TC honors. develop a consistency from Wurm also earned All-WTC week to week as we con- honors after posting a 33tinue to get better,” Gifford 13 record and qualifying for said. “Our numbers will limit state. Hunter registered a team awards, but we want 32-13 record, qualified for to establish positive individ- state, and earned All-WTC ual stats and continue the honorable mention honors. wrestling tradition at Banner Niezwaag and Sides also qualified for state last year.

County.”

Other comments: Bayard O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t

i s b ac k i n C l a s s C t h i s year. ... This year’s district tournament is at Hershey. ... McKibbin said the Tigers have a good group of upperclassmen. He added that a few freshmen will help the team’s lineup. Among the wrestlers the Tigers are counting on to step up are senior Rocky Trevino and so pho mores Z aine Gal legos and Alex Wamboldt. ... McKibbin said, “We have changed our schedule quite a bit. Hopefully, it will help us compete better at district time.”

Schedule Dec. 7......... Bronco Invite at Mullen Dec. 12....Bayard Triangular Dec. 14........ Banner County Invite Dec. 21...Sidney-Bridgeport Tourney Jan. 9......... WTC Tourney at Gordon Jan. 11..........Ogallala Duals Tourney Jan. 18.Chase County Invite Jan. 24-25........ Lingle Invite Feb. 1............ Mitchell Invite Feb. 8........Southeast Duals

182-195; Tyler Gregory, so., Schedule es: Trever Stamon, Willie 195-220; Travis Albertz, jr., Dec. 7......... Blazer Duals at Schwartzkopf Torrington Returning starters (8): Bai285 S e a s o n o u t l o o k : “ T h e Dec. 12.Chadron Triangular ly Hort, jr., 132; Elijah Timpre-Christmas season will Dec. 14....Gordon-Rushville blin, sr., 170; Christian Pester, jr., 220; Damian Hort, sr., need to be one of rapid Invite learning and improvement Dec. 21....... Valentine Invite 138; Marcelino Ramos, jr., for the new wrestlers as our Jan. 9...................... Alliance 113; Quinton Timblin, jr., 152 Season outlook: “We will schedule gets much hard- Jan. 10-11......Shane Shatto be a young team that has er after the break,” Coach Tourney at Douglas J o h n s o n s a i d . “ I f t h e y Jan. 17.East-West Challenge put a lot of mat time in this summer,” Coach Behrens progress as I expect, we at Lexington should be able to compete Jan. 24-25... Chadron Invite said. “We set a goal as a at many weights late into the Jan. 30.. Douglas Triangular team to wrestle 400-500 Feb. 4..................at Mitchell during the summer, and we season.”

O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t Feb. 8....... Southeast Duals ended up with over 400. We will be asking several freshseason Nichols placed fourth at state, was named Garden County men to step up and fill many of our open spots.” all-conference, and finished Nickname: Eagles Team strengths: “We have with a 39-4 record. SchneiClass: D a great set of leaders that der went 19-15 and earned Schedule are willing to set the tone on all-conference honors. WidDec. 5..........Garden County and off the mat,” Behrens ener earned all-conference Triangular honorable mention honors Dec. 14........ Banner County said.

O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t and went 19-10. Christenson Invite went 19-9 and was named Dec. 19........Garden County season Baily Hort placed third at state and finished to the all-conference team. Triangular Dally posted a 10-3 record Dec. 21..... Sutherland Invite the season with a 36-9 record. Timblin qualified for last year.

Jan. 11.........Garden County state and ended with a 30Schedule Invite Dec. 5..........Garden County Jan. 18.Chase County Invite 15 record. Pester also qualified for state and finished Triangular Jan. 25............. Mullen Invite Dec. 7.............. Mullen Invite Jan. 31........ Medicine Valley with a 14-19 record. Damian Hort posted a 21-10 record, Dec. 12....Bayard Triangular Invite Dec. 21...Sidney-Bridgeport Feb. 1............ Mitchell Invite and Ramos was 18-18.

Last year’s highlights: Baily Bridgeport Tourney at Sidney Feb. 8........Southwest Invite Hort placing third at state.

Jan. 9.

Tourney at . .......

WTC Nickname: Bulldogs Schedule Gordon Class: C Gering Dec. 7.............

Blazer Duals Last year’s dual record: Jan. 11.........Garden County Dec. 12....... Cheyenne East Nickname: Bulldogs Invite 5-5 Dec. 14............Charlie Lake Class: B C o n f e r e n c e : W e s t e r n Jan. 16...................... Sidney Last year’s dual record: Tourney at Cheyenne East Jan. 18.Chase County Invite Trails Dec. 21....... Valentine Invite Last year ’s conference Jan. 24-25....Chadron Invite 3-17 Jan. 4......... Scottsbluff Dual District: 4 Feb. 1............ Mitchell Invite tournament placing: Fourth Last year’s district tourna- Tourney Feb. 8........Southeast Duals District: 4 Jan. 11...... Legend Duals at ment placing: Eighth Last year’s district tournaParker, Colo.

Head coach: JJ Behrens ment placing: 13th Chadron Years as Gering’s head Jan. 17.East-West Challenge Head coach: Craig Johnat Lexington Nickname: Cardinals coach: First son See WRESTLING, page 4 Class: B Varsity assistant coachYear s as Bridgepor t ’s head coach: 22nd Varsity assistant coach: Dallas Covalt Returning starters: Adrien Dally, so., 126 ; Pey ton Baumann, jr., 120; Todd Widener, so., 132-138; Wes Christenson, sr., 138-145; Brandon Nichols, sr., 145; Team Speed Crew Socks Crazy Shadow 2 Rose 773 II Lawrence Schneider, so., 152 Other returning letter winners: Cole Ritchliss, so., 152-160 Mon-Fri 10-5:30 • Sat 9:30-5 • Closed Sunday 1711 Broadway, Scottsbluff • 635-2334 Top newcomers /transfers: Paul Brown, fr., 106; R. Dominguez, fr., 106 ; Austin Conley, fr., 126; Joe Vergil-Weidert, fr., 132-138; Jarrod Fedorchik, fr., 170182; Brandon Blake, so.,

BANNER COUNTY

WILDCATS

Boys’ Basketball

Wrestling

12/06............. Garden County 12/07.................. @ Potter-Dix 12/10........................ Minatare 12/20........................@ Leyton 12/21..................Creek Valley 1/03-1/04 ......................... TBD 1/10.................@ Hay Springs 1/11 ..................... Hemingford 1/13....................... @ Hyannis 1/17......................... Crawford 1/18...................... @ Minatare 1/20-01/25 .......................TBD 1/31........................ Potter-Dix 2/01...........................@ Morrill 2/07.................@ South Platte 2/08.................. Sioux County 2/11 ............... Burns, WY (JV) 2/14 @ Lingle-Ft. Laramie, WY 2/21......................... @ Bayard

12/06...................Crawford Inv 12/14................ Banner Co Inv 12/21................ Sutherland Inv 1/09.................. Western Trails Conference Tournament 1/11 ..................Garden Co Inv 1/18...........Cheyenne East Inv 1/24-1/25 .................Lingle Inv 2/01....................... Mitchell Inv 2/08...............Southeast Duals

Home Games Are In Bold

Jolliffe Funeral Home

Bemis Drug

FDIC

1725 East Overland, Scottsbluff, NE

308-632-2105

Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:30 to 5:30; Saturday: 8:00 to 1:00

Winter Sports Preview

4 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Prep Wrestling Summaries Continued Continued from page 3 Jan. 21............at Scottsbluff Jan. 24-25... Chadron Invite Jan. 28................ at Alliance Jan. 30.................Torrington Feb. 1...........Valley Invite at Greeley, Colo.

Feb. 7...................at Sidney

Gordon-Rushville Nickname: Mustangs Class: C Schedule Dec. 6......... Crawford Invite Dec. 12.Chadron Triangular Dec. 14....Gordon-Rushville Invite Dec. 21....... Valentine Invite Jan. 9.........WTC Tourney at Gordon Jan. 11......... Ogallala Duals Tourney Jan. 18.Chase County Invite Jan. 24-25... Chadron Invite Feb. 1........ Ainsworth Invite Feb. 8....... Southeast Duals

Hay Springs Nickname: Hawks Class: D Conference: Panhandle District: 4 Last year’s district tournament placing: Second Head coach: Ed Planansky Year s as H ay S pr ing s’ head coach: Fourth Retur ning star ter s ( 6 ) : Chris Ray, jr., 120; Levi Ray, jr., 126; Joey Johnson, sr., 132 ; Jake Johnson, so., 138; Kolten Marx, jr., 152; Stevin Horrocks, sr., 220 Newcomers: Charles Jerrell, jr., 145; Tyler Merritt, so., 195 Season outlook: “This will be the first year since the revival of wrestling at Hay Springs High School four years ago that we will have seniors on the team, a team that were runners-up at the district meet last year. We will be returning four state qualifiers with two of them being state placers. Stevin Horrocks was third at the state meet last year, losing only one match at the meet, and Joey Johnson finished in six th place last year.

Both are seniors this year and were the only ones on the team four years ago as freshmen. Other state qualifiers from last year are Chris Ray and Levi Ray. Returning letter winners are Jake Johnson and Kolten Marx. I believe that all seven wrestlers have a valid shot at qualifying for the state meet this year.

summer. Because of this, Hyannis I am really looking forward Nickname: Longhorns to the kids having a great Class: D season.”

Last year’s dual record: 2-8 Team strengths: “We might Conference: Loup Valley lack the number of upperLast year ’s conference classmen, but I feel we have a d e d i c ate d, c o ac ha b l e tournament placing: 10th District: 4 group that has the desire Last year’s district tournato do great things,” Gomez ment placing: Seventh said.

Head coach: Bob FrederTeam goals : “ Build the confidence of our younger ickson Years as Hyannis’ head wrestlers,” Gomez said.

“One of our team goals is to coach: Second Varsity assistant coach: qualify at least seven wrestlers to the state tournament Shawn Hebbert Retur ning star ter s ( 6 ) : in Class D.” Other comments: Weber Zachary Ash, so., 120; Ty and Jespersen both quali- Stephen, sr.; Ty Grimes, sr., 138; Payden Ayer, jr., 170; fied for state last year.

L a s t ye ar ’s h i g h l i g ht s : Emmett Hoover, so., 182; “ Q u a l i f y i n g t h r e e t e a m Wyatt Rowe, so., 195 Top newcomers/transfers: members for the state meet Ty Bozzetto, jr., 145; Preston in Class D,” Gomez said.

Bowers, fr., 120; Chance Schedule Hebber t, fr., 126 ; Wyat t Dec. 6......... Crawford Invite Musgrave, fr., 132; Skylor Dec. 12.at Hay Springs dual Rowe, fr., 285 Dec. 14........Banner County Season outlook: “We had a Invite good season last year with Dec. 21........... Sidney Invite a new staff,” Coach FredJan. 9......... WTC at Gordon erickson said. “ We have Jan. 11........ Garden County 11 kids out and look to be Invite more competitive in duals.

Jan. 16..... Hay Springs dual We also hope to build on Jan. 18........ Sandhills Invite our success from last year Jan. 24-25... Chadron Invite and get more kids qualified Feb. 1............Mitchell Invite for state.”

Hemingford Feb. 8........Southeast Invite Team strengths: “We have Nickname: Bobcats Feb. 14-15.Districts at North good leadership out of our Class: D two seniors, and we have Platte Last year’s dual record: 0-1 Feb. 20-22..State at Omaha t h r e e s o p h o m o r e s w h o Conferences : Western Trails; Panhandle District: 4 Head coach: Peter Gomez Years as Hemingford’s head coach: First Varsity assistant coachBOYS BASKETBALL es: Kyle Walker, Jake Frost 12/06................................................................ @ Hemingford Returning star ters (3): 12/13..................................................................... @ Chadron Cooper Weber, so., 106; 12/14................................................................... @ Ainsworth 12/17...................................................................... @ Hyannis Lee Jespersen, so., 138; 12/20...................................................... Bennett County, SD Tyler Huddle, sr., 145 12/21........................................................................ @ Mullen 01/02-01/03 ............................................(To Be Determined) O t h er retur n i n g l et ter 01/11 ........................................................................@ Bayard winners: Wyatt Stricker, 01/17...................................................................Hay Springs 01/18....................................................................... @ Kimball sr., 152 01/21.......................................................................@ Alliance Season outlook: “I am 01/24................................................................. Cody-Kilgore 01/25......................................................................... Chadron looking forward to carry01/31.......................................................................... Mitchell ing over the momentum 02/06-02/08 ............................................(To Be Determined) 02/14..................................................................... Bridgeport from a successful football 02/15......................................................................... @ Morrill season into wrestling,” 02/21.................................................................... @ Valentine Coach Gomez said. “We might not have logged the WRESTLING same number of practices as area teams before our 12/06................................................................Crawford Invite 12/12............................... Chadron Triangular (host: Chadron) first meet, but I feel con12/12.............................. Valentine Triangular (host: Chadron) fident that the kids will be 12/14.................................................. Gordon-Rushville Invite ready to wrestle. We are 12/21-12/21 .................................................... Valentine Invite looking forward to having 1/09........................... Western Trails Conference Tournament 1/11 .............................................. Ogallala Duals Tournament increased numbers in 1/18.................................................Chase County Invitational the wrestling room, and 1/24-1/25 ......................................................... Chadron Invite many of the wrestlers have 02/01.............................................................. Ainsworth Invite 02/08 ............................................................ Southeast Duals committed themselves to becoming better over last

“This year’s team will include the six letter winners from last year, all one year older and more mature.

There have been two other underclassmen that have expressed an interest in being on the team this year. ... We are excited about the season this year and expect good things out of some quality wrestlers.”

Other comments: Last season Joey Johnson posted a 39-10 record. Horrocks went 42-4, Chris Ray was 34-8, Levi Ray was 31-8, and Jake Johnson was 20-19.

Schedule Dec. 6..........Crawford Invite Dec. 12......Hemingford dual Dec. 14.... Gordon-Rushville Invite Dec. 20-21........ Hot Springs Invite Dec. 28....at Neuman Grove dual Jan. 11.........Garden County Invite Jan. 16...at Hemingford dual Jan. 18.......Dunning Knights Invite Jan. 25............. Mullen Invite Feb. 1....... Red Cloud Invite Feb. 8........Southeast Duals Feb. 14-15............... Districts Feb. 20-22...................State

qualified for state in 2012,” Frederickson said.

Team goals: “To be more competitive in team duals and to qualify at least five kids for state,” Frederickson said.

L a s t ye ar ’s h i g h l i g ht s : “Having our three freshmen qualify for state and experiencing the state tournament,” Frederickson said.

Other comments: Ash qualified for state last year at 113; Hoover qualified for state last year at 170; and Wyatt Rowe advanced to state last year at 182. Stephen had an 18-12 record last year, and Grimes went 17-14.

Schedule Dec. 5...... Mullen Triangular Dec. 7....................at Mullen Dec. 13....at North Platte St. Pat’s Dec. 14.... at Banner County Dec. 21................. at Sidney Jan. 4.......at Garden County Jan. 9.at McPherson County

Kimball Nickname: Longhorns Class: C Schedule Dec. 5.... Mitchell Triangular Dec. 14........Banner County Invite Dec. 21.. Sidney-Bridgeport Tourney at Sidney Jan. 9.........WTC Tourney at Gordon

Jan. 11........ Garden County Invite Jan. 16........... Kimball Quad Jan. 24-25........Lingle Invite Feb. 1............Mitchell Invite Feb. 6.. SPVA Dual Tourney at Sutherland

Lingle-FL Nickname: Doggers Class: 2A Last year’s dual record: 11-4 Conference: SEWAC Last year ’s conference tournament placing: First Regional: East Last year’s regional tournament placing: Second Head coach: Nathan Jones Years as Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s head coach: Sixth Coach’s overall dual record: 142-50 Varsity assistant coaches: B r a n d o n G i f for d, C orey Horjes Retur ning star ter s ( 5 ) : Austin Barnes, sr., 145; Merritt Hageman, sr., 126; Lane Hageman, sr., 132; Wyatt Hageman, sr., 152; Brody Lay, sr., 160 Top newcomers/transfers: Tyler Abernathy, so., 120; Todd Walker, fr., 138; Kash Kaufman, fr., 106; Colten Wunder, so., 138; Dakota Collea, fr., 120 Season outlook: “We will fill weights to 160, then open

See WRESTLING, page 5

Hay Springs Lumber& Hardware GORDON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

GIRLS BASKETBALL

All homes games are listed in bold

12/06/13........................................................... @ Hemingford 12/13/13................................................................ @ Chadron 12/14/13.............................................................. @ Ainsworth 12/17/13................................................................. @ Hyannis 12/20/13................................................... Bennett County, SD 12/21/13................................................................... @ Mullen 01/02-01/03 ..............................................(To Be Determined) 01/10/14............................................................... @ Valentine

01/11/14 ...................................................................@ Bayard 01/14/14..................................................................@ Alliance 01/17/14............................................................... Hay Springs 01/18/14.................................................................. @ Kimball 01/24/14.............................................................. Cody-Kilgore 01/25/14..................................................................... Chadron 01/31/14.......................................................................Mitchell 02/06-02/08 ..............................................(To Be Determined)

Boys Basketball 12/05/13.......... Mullen 12/05/13.......... SMC Triangular (host: Hyannis) 12/07-12/07 ........Bronco Invite Mullen 12/13-12/13 ........North Platte St. Patrick’s Dual Invite 12/14-12/14 ........Banner County Invite Harrisburg 12/21-12/21 ........Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament 01/09/14 ..............@ SMC 01/11-01/11 ........Garden County Invite Oshkosh 01/18-01/18 ........Dunning 01/25-01/25 ........Mullen 02/01-02/01 ........Irish Invite Arnold

Girls Basketball

12/06/13 ..............@ Creek Valley 12/07/13.......... Hemingford 12/13/13.......... Mullen 12/17/13.......... Gordon-Rushville 12/19/13 ..............@ Crawford 01/03/14.......... Arthur County 01/04/14 ..............@ Garden County 01/10/14.......... South Platte 01/13/14.......... Banner County 01/17/14.......... Cody-Kilgore 01/23/14 ..............@ Sandhills/Thedford 01/24/14 ..............@ Arthur County 01/27-01/31....... Sandhills Conference Tournament 02/04/14 ..............@ Hay Springs 02/06/14 ..............@ SMC 02/07/14.......... Brady 02/14/14 ..............@ Mullen 02/15/14 ..............@ Minatare

Wrestling 12/05/13.......... Mullen

12/05/13.......... SMC Triangular (host: Hyannis) 12/07-12/07 ........Mullen 12/13-12/13 ........North Platte St. Patrick’s Dual Invite 12/14-12/14 ........Banner county Invite Harrisburg 12/21-12/21 ........Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament 01/09/14 ..............@ SMC 01/11-01/11 ........Garden County Invite Oshkosh 01/18-01/18 ........Dunning 01/25-01/25 ........Mullen Invite 02/01-02/01 ........Irish Invite NP St. Patricks High School 02/07-02/07 ........Loup Valley Conference Arnold

Dredla’s Grocery

BOYS BASKETBALL 12/05 ............................................................................. @ Sioux County 12/12 ...............................................................Hay Springs 12/14 ............................................................Garden County 12/17 .................................................................................... @ Minatare 12/19 ....................................................................Hyannis 1/03-1/04 ................................................................. (To Be Determined) 1/10 ............................................................. Edgemont, SD 1/17 .............................................................................@ Banner County

1/21-1/25 ................................................................. (To Be Determined) 1/31 ...................................................................... Morrill 2/01 ..........................................................................................@ Leyton 2/07 ...............................................................Cody-Kilgore 2/08 ................................................................ @ Lingle-Ft. Laramie, WY 2/11 ...............................................................Sioux County 2/13 .................................................................................@ Hay Springs 2/21 ..................................................................................@ Hemingford

GIRLS BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

12/05 ............................................................................. @ Sioux County 12/10 ............................................................... Hemingford 12/12 ...............................................................Hay Springs 12/14 ............................................................Garden County 12/17 .................................................................................... @ Minatare 12/19 ....................................................................Hyannis 12/27-12/28 ............................................................. (To Be Determined) 1/03-1/04 ................................................................. (To Be Determined) 1/10 ............................................................. Edgemont, SD 1/17 .............................................................................@ Banner County 1/20-1/25 ................................................................. (To Be Determined) 1/31 ...................................................................... Morrill 2/01 ..........................................................................................@ Leyton 2/07 ...............................................................Cody-Kilgore 2/08 ................................................................ @ Lingle Ft. Laramie, WY 2/11 ...............................................................Sioux County 2/13 .................................................................................@ Hay Springs

12/06 .............................................................. Crawford Inv 12/14 ......................................................................... Banner County Inv 12/20-12/21 ....................................... Hot Springs Holiday Extravaganza 1/11 ........................................................................... Garden County Inv 1/18 .......................................................................... Bennett County Inv 1/24-1/25 ............................................................................. Chadron Inv 2/01 ...................................................................................... Mitchell Inv 2/08 ...............................................................................Southeast Duals

Henkens Equipment Inc.

Herren Bros.

Tru-Value Hardware & Building Center

Hourt’s

Auto Body Shop

Chadron Home Center

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 5

Prep Wrestling Summaries Continued Continued from page 4 the rest of the way,” Coach Jones said. “[At the] bigger tournaments we will do better. ... Quality wrestlers. ...

Lots of senior leadership.”

O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t season Wyat t Hageman placed fourth at state and finished the season with a 37-2 record. ... Also last season, Lay finished 35-17, Lane Hageman went 29-6, and Merritt Hageman went 27-19.

Schedule Dec. 6......... Crawford Invite Dec. 14.... Banner Co. Invite Dec. 17......... Scottsbluff JV Dec. 20-21........Hot Springs Invite Jan. 9...............at Gering JV Jan. 11............ Wright Duals Jan. 16....Kimball Triangular Jan. 18........ Cheyenne East Invite Jan. 24-25..... Dogger Invite Feb. 1............Mitchell Invite Feb. 8....... Southeast Duals Feb. 14-15.Carbon Co. Invite Feb. 21-22...........Regionals Feb. 28-March 1..... State at Casper

Minatare Nickname: Indians Class: D Conference: Minuteman District: 4 Head coach: Gage Norman Years as Minatare’s head coach: Fourth Varsity assistant coach: Mac Norman Retur ning star ter s ( 3 ) : Robert Ellis, sr., Marc Cinnoco, jr.; Jerrick Ross, jr.

Top newcomers/transfers: Destin Standley, fr., Josh Cinnoco, fr., Caleb Ross, fr., Rome Lerma Season outlook: “Good,” Coach Norman said. “Our older guys are all great competitors, and they will give nothing but their best this year. If they do, I expect that we will get another trip to Omaha this year for the state tournament.

“The younger wrestlers look really good this year as well. They ’ll have to take their lumps to gain the necessary experience to be varsity competitors, but they are all tough, and I have high hopes for them this year.”

Team strengths: “Determination, drive, and a good group of upperclassmen to help bring along our younger wrestlers,” Norman said.

“Minatare as a school has a good culture of team spirit, and our wrestling team is no exception. The older wrestlers do a lot of teaching during drills to our younger kids, and the young team members push our older wrestlers to be their best.”

Team g oal s : “ G i ve everything we have in every match, every time,” Norman said. “If we do that, the rest will sort itself out.”

Other comments: Cinnoco qualified for state last year. ... Minatare has its largest

Jan. 18.Elicott Colo. Tourney Jan. 24-25.Chadron Tourney Feb. 1........Mitchell Tourney Feb. 4...... Chadron-Mitchell Dual Meet Feb. 8....... Southeast Duals

state qualifier.

L a s t ye ar ’s h i g h l i g ht s : Placing second at state Former athletes currently competing in college: Tyler Nation, Iowa Western Community College Schedule Morrill Dec. 7..........Blazer Duals at Nickname: Lions Torrington Class: D Dec. 12................... Alliance Schedule Dec. 14.. Charlie Lake Invite Dec. 5..... Mitchell Triangular at Cheyenne Dec. 6.......... Crawford Invite Dec. 20-21...... Grand Island Dec. 14........ Banner County Flatwater Fracas Invite Jan. 4........ Scottsbluff Invite Dec. 21..... Sutherland Invite Jan. 17-18.Thoman Tourney Jan. 9......... WTC Tourney at at Green River, Wyo. Gordon Jan. 21...................... Gering Jan. 11......... Garden County Jan. 24-25...........................

Invite Top of the Rockies Tourney Mitchell Jan. 16............Kimball Quad at Centaurus High School Nickname: Tigers Jan. 24-25........ Lingle Invite Jan. 31-Feb. 1........... Rocky Class: C Feb. 1.............Mitchell Invite Welton Tourney at Garden Last year’s dual record: Feb. 8........ Southeast Duals City, Kan. 10-5 Feb. 8...... GNAC Tourney at Conferenc e : Western North Platte Scottsbluff Trails Last year ’s conference Nickname: Bearcats Sidney tournament placing: Second Class: B Nickname: Red Raiders District: 4 Last year’s dual record: Class: B Last year’s district tourna- 20-15 Last year’s dual record: 7-4 ment placing: Fourth Conference: GNAC Conference: Western Head coach: Randy DoLast year ’s conference District: 4 nelson tournament placing: Second Last year’s district tournaYears as Mitchell’s head District: 4 coach: Third Last year’s district tourna- ment placing: Seventh Head coach: John Ganser Varsity assistant coaches: ment placing: First Years as Sidney’s head Joe Yauney, Anthony ChanHead coach: James Miller cellor Years as Scottsbluff’s head coach: 35th Coach’s overall dual reReturning starters: Drew coach: Third Gilliland, so., 113 ; BrayMiller’s overall dual record: cord: 180-120 Varsity assistant coaches: don Wiedeman, so., 181; 38-24 Zach Sanabria, jr., 120 ; Varsity assistant coaches: Beau McConnell, Kohton Garrett Tinsley, so., 132; Steve Lopez, Matt Parsley, Price, Brandon Sykora Returning starters: Michael Cody Mueller, so., 138-145; Brian Adams Ephraim Blanco, jr., 152; Returning starters: Cruz Muggli, jr., 138-145; Lukias Marquis Droddy, jr., 160; Delacruz, jr., 106; Keegan Higer, sr., 152; Ryan WoolGarrett Sterkel, sr., 195; Hessler, jr., 120 ; Isaiah ey, jr., 160; Kane Taylor, jr., Trey Sterkel, sr., Hwt Jaramillo, sr., 132; Colton Top newcomers/transfers: Adams, sr., 138 ; Tristan Darryn Walter, fr., 106; Zach Donelson, jr., 152; Sabian Swanson, fr., 106; Abe Her- Harsh, jr., 170; Cameron nandez, fr., 145; Trenton Presher, sr., 195 ; Mario Stratter, fr., 160 ; Noonie Soriano, sr., 220; Andrew Gomez, so., 160 ; Bailey Aratani, sr., 285 Branson, fr., Hwt Other returning letter winSeason outlook: “We will ners: George Hernandez, be young with a lot of good so., 106 athletes,” Coach Donelson Top newcomers/transfers: said. “They have shown to Rob Price, fr., 113; Salem be eager to learn and give Harsh, fr., 113; Ben Rodri100 percent in the room. We guez, fr., 126; Jose Reyes, will have some freshmen sr., 145; Kobe Paez, fr., 160; stepping up and challenging Dylan Lucious, so., 182 for spots.”

Season outlook: “We have Team strengths: “Great a lot of talent in the room younger class and strong this year,” Coach Miller said. leaders,” Donelson said.

“We are excited to see how Team goals: “To compete the team competes and how and get better,” Donelson the younger wrestlers hansaid. dle the schedule.”

O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t Team strengths: “We have season both Gilliland and a strong senior class and a Wiedeman placed second strong junior class this year,” at districts and fifth at state Miller said. “This leadership in their respective weight should help out a lot.” classes.

Team goals: “To continue Former athletes currently to improve every year,” Millcompeting in college: Jor- er said. dan Debus, Chadron State; O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t Bryce Wiedeman, Chadron season Adams and Hessler State both won state titles. DelaSchedule cruz placed second at state, Dec. 5.Morrill-Mitchell-KimHarsh was third, and Aratani ball dual meets was fifth. Donelson was a Dec. 6..... Crawford Tourney Dec. 12....... Bayard-Bridgeport-Mitchell duals Dec. 14....Gordon-Rushville Tourney Dec. 21.......Sidney Tourney Jan. 9.........WTC Tourney at Gordon

wrestling team in the last five years.

L a s t ye ar ’s h i g h l i g ht s : “Watching the wrestlers improve with every match and sending our first competitor to state in four years,” Norman said.

Schedule Dec. 6......... Crawford Invite Dec. 14........Banner County Invite Dec. 21.. Sidney-Bridgeport Tourney at Sidney Jan. 11........ Garden County Invite Jan. 18.Chase County Invite Jan. 24-25... Chadron Invite Feb. 8....... Southeast Duals

Boys Basketball

12/06....................................................... Cody-Kilgore 12/07................................................... @ Arthur County 12/12...........................................................@ Crawford 12/14...............................................................@ Mullen 12/17................................................................... Morrill 12/20..................................................................Bayard 12/27-12/28 ................................... (To Be Determined) 01/10.................................................... Banner County 01/11.................................................................. Leyton 01/16.....................................................@ Cody-Kilgore 01/17..............................................@ Gordon-Rushville 01/18.............................................................Potter-Dix 01/21-01/25 ..................................(To Be Determined) 01/28.......................................................@ Hemingford 01/31....................................................@ Sioux County 02/04................................................................ Hyannis 02/06.............................................. @ Little Wound, SD 02/08..................................................@ Edgemont, SD 02/13.............................................................. Crawford 02/14.................................................@ Garden County

RELEASE TRIGGER POINTS - REDUCE PAIN

Mike Moravec D.P.T.

Bob Wieck D.P.T.

Dry needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and even pain and injury prevention, with very few side effects.

This technique is unequaled in finding and eliminating myofascial trigger points that leads to pain and functional deficits throughout the body.

For more information about this technique, contact us today!

2970 N. 10th St., Suite 1, Gering • 308-633-5361 West Hwy 26 (Next to Lessert Ins.), Morrill • 308-247-2424

HAY SPRINGS LUMBER & HARDWARE

GORDON MEMORIAL HEALTH SERVICES

J&L Groceries 308-638-7335

195; Brandon Lulf, jr., 182; Tucker Wintholz, sr., 285 Other returning letter winners: Zach Borges, jr., 132; Brody McKnight, jr., 160; Patric Hays, so., 145 Top newcomers/transfers: Logan Sherman, fr., 106; Jack Fedderson, fr., 106113 ; Ben Goble, jr., 113 ; Brenton Christian, sr., 170 Season outlook: “We are unable to fill all weight classes with most of our wrestlers around 152-160,” Coach Ganser said. “This inability to fill the weight classes will hurt us in competitions.”

Team strengths: “We can be competitive from 138 on up to 285,” Ganser said.

Team goals: “Show progress to work toward a good district showing,” Ganser said.

L a s t ye ar ’s h i g h l i g ht s : Hosting the Class B, District 4 Tournament Former athletes currently competing in college: Ryan Roach, Dakota Weslyan Other comments: Muggli was a state qualifier last year and finished the season with a 26 - 8 record.

Also last season, Wintholz finished 17-15.

Schedule Dec. 6.......Gothenburg Dual Dec. 7..........Cozad Tourney Dec. 14.... Gordon-Rushville Tourney Dec. 19..............Garden Co. Triangular Dec. 21....... Sidney Tourney Jan. 9..........WTC at Gordon Jan. 11........... Ogallala Dual Tourney

Jan. 14......... Perkins Co. JV Tourney Jan. 16........Bridgeport Dual Jan. 18.. Chase Co. Tourney Jan. 23........Creek Valley JV Tourney Jan. 23.Sedgewick Co. Dual Jan. 25....Lexington Tourney Feb. 1........ Mitchell Tourney Feb. 7............... Gering dual

Sioux County Nickname: Warriors Class: D District: 4 Head coach: Travis Shoults Varsity assistant coach: Nick Sanderson Returning starters (2): Caleb Nunn, sr., 195; Mitchell Mansfield, sr., 132 Top newcomers/transfers: Rustin Starkey, so., 170 ; J e b b G i n ke n s , fr., 12 0 ; Trey Thayer, fr., 152; Casey Staudenmaier, fr., 220 Team strengths: “Mitchell Mansfield and Caleb Nunn are seniors and our two returning wrestlers,” Coach Shoults said. “Josh Kling will not be able to wrestle this year because of some health issues, but will be helping the team as a manager in practice and at the tournaments. The seniors on our team are great leaders and work well with the younger wrestlers. Our wrestlers are excited to be on the mat and are picking up things quickly. We may have a slow start, but I hope to see a lot of improvement as the season progresses.”

See WRESTLING, page 6

Girls Basketball

12/06....................................................... Cody-Kilgore 12/07................................................... @ Arthur County 12/12...........................................................@ Crawford 12/14...............................................................@ Mullen 12/17................................................................... Morrill 12/20..................................................................Bayard 12/27-12/28 ................................... (To Be Determined) 01/10.................................................... Banner County 01/11.................................................................. Leyton 01/16.....................................................@ Cody-Kilgore 01/17..............................................@ Gordon-Rushville 01/18.............................................................Potter-Dix 01/20-01/25 ..................................(To Be Determined) 01/28.......................................................@ Hemingford 01/31....................................................@ Sioux County

Wrestling

12/06-12/06 ............................................Crawford Invite 12/12/13...................................................... Hemingford 12/14-12/14 ...............................Gordon-Rushville Invite 12/20-12/21 ............. Hot Springs Holiday Extravaganza 12/28-12/28 .......................Newman Grove Tournament 1/11-1/11 ...................................... Garden County Invite 1/16..........................................................@ Hemingford 1/18.....................Sandhills/Thedford-Knights Invitationa 1/25............................................................Mullen Invite) 2/01.................................. Red Cloud South Dakota Inv. 02/08.....................................................Southeast Duals

Bridgeport Dental Clinic

Chamberlian Chapel

Winter Sports Preview

6 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Prep Wrestling Summaries Continued Continued from page 5 Schedule Dec. 6.......... Crawford Invite Dec. 13-14.......... Lusk Invite Dec. 21... Sidney-Bridgeport Tourney at Sidney Jan. 11......... Garden County Invite Jan. 25............. Mullen Invite Feb. 1........Red Cloud Invite Feb. 8........ Southeast Duals

Southeast Nickname: Cyclones Class: 2A Last year’s regional tournament placing: Sixth Last year’s state tournament placing: Ninth Head coach: Nicholas Lamp Years as Southeast’s head coach: Third Varsity assistant coach:

Chris McNees Retur ning st ar ter s (7) : Chase Cushman, 145, sr.; Wyatt Somsen, 182, sr. ; Travis Jinks, 170, sr.; Colton Stees, 195, sr.; David Baker, 285, jr.; Tanner Wyse, 220, jr.; Haden Grandy, 170, so.

Top newcomers/transfers: Jacob Chapman, fr., 113; Ethan Pearson, fr., 135 ; Porter Ross, fr., 170; Terrell Woodruff, fr., 195; Lucas Schirmer, fr., 195; Thane Wiford, jr., 16 0 ; Dac ota Gottschim, fr., 106 Season outlook : “ Each season brings about new challenges and triumphs,” Coach Lamp said. “I am sure this season will be no different. This year we will have four seniors, two juniors, two sophomores, and probably five or six freshmen. We have three

returning state placers. I believe that the seniors will show great leadership on and off the mat and will push the younger wrestlers to excel and continually improve throughout the season. This should be an exciting season not only for the wrestlers and their coaches but also the fans.”

Team strengths: “We expect to see great leadership from our seniors who will mentor our younger wrestlers as they continue to improve throughout the year,” Lamp said. “Each wrestler has heart, determination, and desire to give all they have on the mat and to support each other.”

Team goals: “This year as a team we would like to have each wrestler from our team make it to state, have at least

five state placers, and continue to improve throughout the year,” Lamp said.

O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t season Somsen placed third at state at 170 and posted a season record of 30-5. Stees placed fifth at state and ended with a 29-10 record.

Also last year, Cushman went 16-12, and Jinks finished 27-17.

Last year’s highlights: “Last year we wrestled tough when it came to regionals and state,” Lamp said. “We were able to bring home four state placers; three of the state placers will compete for us again this year.”

Schedule Dec. 7.............Southeast JV Tourney Dec. 13-14.......... Lusk Invite Dec. 21............Wright Duals Jan. 3-4...Bison Bonanza at

Cheyenne Jan. 11.........Garden County Invite Jan. 16........... Kimball Quad Jan. 24-25........ Lingle Invite Feb. 1............ Mitchell Invite Feb. 8........Southeast Duals Feb. 14-15....Carbon County Invite at Hanna, Wyo. Feb. 21-22....... Regionals at Yoder Feb. 28-March 1......State at Casper

Torrington Nickname: Trailblazers Head coach: Doyle Meyer Years as Torrington’s head coach: 12th Last year ’s conference placing: Third Returning starters: Benjamin Loya, sr., 152; Justin Polkowske, jr., 138; Jordan B r i t t o n , s o., 13 2 ; J u a n

Gomez, jr., 215; Jackson Reifschneider, jr.

Other key wrestlers: Ryan Jarvis, jr., 172; Patrick Carr, jr., 126; Hunter Oster, jr.

Season outlook: “The Trailblazers are looking for a solid year this year, led by Benjamin Loya,” Coach Meyer said. “He will have a suppporting cast of other returning state placers in Justin Palkowske, Jordan Britton, and Jackson Reifschneider. ... The team this year will not be filled with lots of seniors, but there is lots of underclassmen with loads of talent to fill in the spots around Benjamin.”

O t h er c o m m e nt s : L a s t season at state Loya, Polkowske, and Reifschneider all p lac e d t hir d. Br it to n placed fifth, and Gomez was sixth.

Prep Boys Basketball Summaries Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Conference: Western L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Fourth Last year’s season record: 9-14 District: 6 Last year’s district tourney results: Alliance defeated Gering in the first round before losing to Scottsbluff in the next round.

Head coach: Roger Trennepohl Years as Alliance’s head coach: First Trennepohl’s overall coachi n g r e c o r d : 114 - 4 2 ( s i x years; Texas 3A) Assistant coaches: Greg Friesen, Ryan Waters, Chris Gillaspy Returning senior s : Josh Matulka, 5 -11, PG ; Trevor Kamerzell, 6- 0, SG ; Ryan Romick, 6 - 0, PG ; Gaige Lehl, 6-3, F; Parker Cyza, 6-2, F; Nick Maser, 6-0, G Returning juniors: Jordan Mills, 6-1, SG; Sage DuBray, 6-2, F; Cody Robinson, 5-9, G; Jeff Heckman, 6-2, F Season outlook: “I am really excited about this team, but at this point, it is very difficult to make any predictions about how the Bulldogs w i l l f i n i s h t h e i r s e a s o n ,” C o a c h Tr e n n e p o h l s a i d .

“However, I do believe I can promise one thing to all the Bulldog fans and families: we will play with tenacity and character. I will challenge our players to never allow themselves to be out-worked on the court. I am very excited about the athleticism and depth on this team, and that will allow us to play at a tempo that is both fun for the kids and exciting for the fans. I want to allow the kids to play the kind of game that benefits their abilities while maintaining the discipline and character to execute the plays we need to win in the end. If I can be patient e n ou g h to wait for t h o se things to come together, I believe we will be very tough to beat.

“I am also excited about the amount of time these boys put in over the summer.

Several kids in the program did not miss an open gym all summer. I believe we have a very good mix of players that represent a complete team, except for that big guy pre se n c e. We retur n t wo very proven shooters in senior shooting guards Trevor Kamerzell and junior Jordan Mills. These two guys will be able to stretch the floor and make their skills very difficult to defend. I really like the athleticism we have at the forward position with returning starter senior Gage Lehl a n d ju n i or S ag e D u B r ay.

Sage might be, overall, the most skilled player on the team with his abilities to rebound, shoot from outside, and pass the ball. Senior J o s h M atulk a an d s e n i or Ryan Romick also add some great balance to the team; both are extremely athletic and strong. Josh had a great summer and will handle most of the point guard duties. Both he and Ryan proved over the summer to be ver y capable of hitting the open shot, getting to the hole, and finding open guys.

I also love Ryan’s ability to play a for ward spot, even though it may not look like he has the size for it. I’m also looking for ward to seeing great contributions from the athletic play of senior nick Maser, senior Parker Cyza, junior Cody Robinson, and junior Jeff Heckman. If we will combine these ingredients with a relentless work ethic, the results will take care of themselves and these young men will have a great experience together.”

Former athletes currently

competing in college: Isaac Burnham, McCook Community College Schedule Dec. 5-7.....Western Conference Tourney in Scottsbluff Dec. 13......................Gering Dec. 14................. at Bayard Dec. 19.................at Sidney Jan. 2..................Bridgeport Jan. 3...................... Mitchell Jan. 10............at Scottsbluff Jan. 11.............Sturgis, S.D. Jan. 17............... at Chadron Jan. 18... at Red Cloud, S.D. Jan. 21..... Gordon-Rushville Jan. 24................... Ogallala Jan. 31.................. at Gering Feb. 4..................... Chadron Feb. 7................. Scottsbluff Feb. 13-15........... East-West Shootout Feb. 21......................Sidney

Banner County Nickname: Wildcats Class: D-2 Last year’s season record: 3-18 C o nfere n c e : M i nu te m a n Activities Sub-district: 12 Head coach: Jim Wyatt Years as Banner County’s head coach: Seventh Varsity assistant coaches: Cole Wyatt, Brett Cross Returning starters (5): Ben Hostetler, sr., 6-1, F; Brenten Soule, sr., 6-4, C; Tyson Dahlgrin, jr., 6-3, C; Kadan Huber, jr., 5-10, G; Mike McKown, jr., 6-0, G Other returning letter winners: Bryce Olsen, jr., 6-1, F; Dalton Jordan, jr., 5-8, G; Hesten Soule, jr., 5-6, G; Cody Scott, sr., 6-5, C Season outlook: “We look to be competitive within the conference and the district [and ] compete in ever y g a m e,” C o ac h J i m W yat t said.

Team strengths: “We have a lot of size and experience,” Wyatt said.

Team goals: “Win the MAC [and] compete to win every game,” Wyatt said.

Other comments: Last season Hostetler led Banner County in assists, and Dahlgrin was the team’s leading rebounder.

Last year’s highlights: “We competed well in a lot of close games,” Wyatt said.

Schedule Dec. 6......... Garden County Dec. 7..............at Potter-Dix Dec. 10..................Minatare Dec. 20................. at Leyton Dec. 21............Creek Valley Jan. 3-4.......... Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 10......... at Hay Springs Jan. 11.............. Hemingford Jan. 13................at Hyannis Jan. 17.................. Crawford Jan. 18...............at Minatare Jan. 20-25.. MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 31.................Potter-Dix Feb. 1.....................at Morrill Feb. 7........... at South Platte Feb. 8............. Sioux County Feb. 11....................... Burns Feb. 14.at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 21................. at Bayard

Bayard Nickname: Tigers Class: C-2 Last year’s season record: 8-16 Conference: Western Trails L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placings: Fourth in both regular season standings and conference tournament L a s t ye a r ’s s u b - d i s t r i c t tournament placing: Second Head coach: Neil Baker Year s as Bayard ’s head coach: 16th Baker’s coaching record at Bayard: 198-138 Baker’s overall coaching rec ord : 252-18 4 ( 20 seasons) Returning starters: David S c hul er, 6 -2, sr., G ; Z ac Rice, 5-11, sr., G; Trae Blanco, 6-2, sr., F; Justin Baird, 5-11, jr., G; Tyler Fiscus, 6-7, jr., F Other returning letter winners: Richard Kadayso, 6-2,

sr., P; Jadon Smith, 5-11, sr., G; Bryce Hargens, 6-5, jr., P; Phillip Schuller, 5-8, jr., G Season outlook: “ We should be improved from last year as we will be playing with a lot more experience and should be able to score better as well,” Coach Baker said. “We will need to continue to defend well and work to improve our offensive output. We have more size this year than we have had for a long time, which should give us some more options on both offense and defense.

If we get solid contributions fro m enoug h p layer s, we should be able to compete for the WTC and sub-district titles. However, any night that we don’t play well, we will have trouble due to the number of quality opponents on our schedule. It should be the kind of year that if our team plays well, any night we can win, and if we don’t play well, it might be interesting.”

Other comments: Last season Schuler and Fiscus were both named WTC honorable mention.

Schedule Dec. 6-7...... Bayard Tourney Dec. 13................ Bridgeport Dec. 14.................... Alliance Dec. 20.........at Hay Springs Dec. 21.................... Kimball Jan. 3-4................................

Peru State Holiday Tourney at Peru State College Jan. 10............. at Potter-Dix Jan. 11..... Gordon-Rushville Jan. 14....................... Morrill Jan. 17...............Hemingford Jan. 21............. at Southeast Jan. 24.................at Mitchell Jan. 25......................... Lusk Jan. 28.... Lingle-Ft. Laramie

Jan. 31............ at Bridgeport Feb. 6-8......... WTC Tourney Feb. 11...................... Leyton Feb. 14.......... Chase County Feb. 21......... Banner County

Bridgeport Nickname: Bulldogs Class: C-2 Last year’s season record: 14-9

Conference: Western Trails L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Second Sub-district: 12

See BOYS, page 7

EASTERN WYOMING COLLEGE

LANCERS

2013-2014

Have a great season!

ewc.wy.edu

Alliance

Torrington Douglas

“ A Great Decision!”

Chugwater • Glendo • Glenrock • Guernsey Hulett • LaGrange • Lusk • Moorcroft Newcastle • Sundance • Upton • Wheatland

3200 West C Street • Torrington, WY 82240 1.866.327.8996 • 307.532.8200

W Y O M I N G

TIGERS

B A Y A R D

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

12/06-12/07 ..............................................Bayard Tournament 12/13 .................................................................Bridgeport 12/14 ....................................................................Alliance 12/20 ...............................................................................@ Hay Springs 12/21 .................................................................... Kimball 1/03 ........................................ Peru State Holiday Tournament 1/10 .................................................................................... @ Potter Dix 1/11 ...........................................................Gordon-Rushvill 1/14 ...................................................................... Morrill 1/17 ................................................................ Hemingford 1/21 .............................................................................@ Southeast, WY 1/24 ........................................................................................@ Mitchell 1/25 .............................................. Lusk Niobrara County, WY 1/28 ..................................................Lingle-Ft. Laramie, WY 1/31 ....................................................................................@ Bridgeport 2/6-2/08 .............................................. Western Trails Conf. Tournament 2/11 ...................................................................... Leyton 2/14 .............................................................. Chase County 2/21 .............................................................Banner County

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 12/06-12/07 ............................................................. (To Be Determined) 12/13 .................................................................Bridgeport 12/14 ....................................................................Alliance 12/20 ...............................................................................@ Hay Springs 12/21 .................................................................... Kimball 1/04 ....................................................................Minatare 1/10 .................................................................................... @ Potter-Dix 1/11 ......................................................... Gordon-Rushville 1/14 ...................................................................... Morrill 1/17 ................................................................ Hemingford 1/21 .............................................................................@ Southeast, WY 1/24 ........................................................................................@ Mitchell 1/25 ............................................ Niobrara County (Lusk), WY 1/28 ..................................................Lingle Ft. Laramie, WY 1/31 ....................................................................................@ Bridgeport 2/06-2/08 ................................................................. (To Be Determined) 2/11 ..........................................................................................@ Leyton 2/14 .............................................................. Chase County

WRESTLING 12/07 ................................................................................. Bronco Invite 12/12 ...............................Bridgeport C Triangular (host: Bayard) 12/12 ................................. Mitchell C Triangular (host: Bayard) 12/14 ......................................................................Banner county Invite 12/21 ......................................................Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament 1/09 ...........................................Western Trails Conference Tournament 1/11 ..............................................................Ogallala Duals Tournament 1/18 ................................................................ Chase County Invitational 1/24-1/25 .....................................................................Lingle Invitational 2/01 .................................................................................. Mitchell Invite 2/08 ...............................................................................Southeast Duals

Home Games Listed in Bold

CHIMNEY ROCK MEDICAL CENTER

Platte Valley Bank A Platte Valley Company

FDIC

www.pvbankne.com

Nein Pharmacy

THE PINK PALACE

Morrill County Community Hospital

Jolliffe Funeral Home

Chimney Rock Public Power A Touchstone Energy Partner

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 7

Prep Boys Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 6 L a s t ye a r ’s s u b - d i s t r i c t tournament results: Bridgeport advanced to the final.

Head coach: Nick Broz Years as Bridgeport’s head coach: Fourth Overall coaching record : 31-34 Varsit y assistant coach : Dave Baxter Returning star ters (6): Jaime Gonzalez, sr., 6-1, G; Kaleb DeCora, sr., 6-3, G; Leighton Freeze, sr., 5-10, G; Jason Amateis, jr., 5-10, G ; Wyat t Pankowski, so., 6-3, P; Quentin Baxter, so., 6-6, F Other returning letter winn e r s : J o h n Pa p p a s , s o., 6-6, P Top newcomers/transfers: Mitchell Dudden, jr., 6-0, G Season outlook: “We have had a successful summer and preseason in the gym,” Coach Broz said. “I feel we have the talent to compete with anyone on our schedule. This group is a fun group to be around who are led by three seniors [Jaime Gonzalez, Kaleb DeCora, and Leighton Freeze] . We h ave a l ot of ex p er i e n c e returning from last year ’s 14-win campaign. The WTC is very strong this year. In order to win the conference, you will have to be ready to play every single night. If we develop our game mentally and physically every time we set foot on the court, then we will have a chance to reach our goals.”

Team strengths: “We have experience at all positions,” Coach Broz said. “We have six kids who have started a varsity game at one point or another in their career, with another one who has played a lot. Our guard play should be one of the tops in the region. We have four all-conference players and two others who are talented perimeter players. Our post players are big and improved with their back against the basket. I think our athleticism and length will prove to be an added benefit to what we want to get accomplished on the court.”

Team goals: “ To play as hard as we possibly can every possession,” Broz said.

Other comments: Last season Gonzalez averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was named f i r s t- te a m a l l - c o n fe r e n c e and second-team all-region. ... DeCora suffered a season- ending injur y last year. ... Amateis averaged 8 points and was tab bed All-WTC honorable mention. ... Pankowski averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds and was chosen to the all-conference first team. ... Baxter averaged 8 points and earned all - c o nferen c e ho norab le mention honors.

Last year’s highlights: Winning the Alliance Holiday To u r n a m e n t a n d p l a c i n g runner-up in the WTC. Schedule Dec. 6-7...... Bayard Tourney Dec. 13.................. at Bayard Dec. 14................Sutherland Dec. 17..... at Garden County Dec. 20..........at Hemingford Jan. 2-3...... Alliance Holiday Tourney Jan. 9..................at Ogallala Jan. 11....................Hershey Jan. 14...................... Leyton Jan. 17................. at Kimball Jan. 18.....................Mitchell Jan. 24.................. at Sidney Jan. 31......................Bayard Feb. 1....................... Kimball Feb. 6-8......... WTC Tourney Feb. 13................... at Morrill Feb. 14.at Gordon-Rushville Feb. 21......................Paxton

Burns Nickname: Broncs Class: 2A Schedule Dec. 19..................Glenrock Dec. 20..................... Gering Jan. 4............... at Southeast Jan. 10.................. Saratoga Jan. 11.at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 14.....................Mitchell Jan. 17..................... at Lusk Jan. 18.......................Wright Jan. 24................Pine Bluffs Jan. 28................ Wheatland Jan. 31.... Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 1........................... Lusk Feb. 7................... Southeast Feb. 8............... at Potter-Dix Feb. 11..... at Banner County Feb. 14................Rock River Feb. 15...............at Saratoga Feb. 22............at Pine Bluffs

Chadron Nickname: Cardinals Class: C-1 Last year’s season record: 7-15 Conference: Western Sub-district: 12 L a s t ye a r ’s s u b - d i s t r i c t results: Chadron lost in the final to Kimball.

Head coach: Eric Calkins Years as Chadron’s head coach: Third Returning starters: Spencer Eliason, P, sr., 6-8; Von-

sihn Sayaloune, G, jr., 5-6; Jackson Dickerson, G, jr., 5-7; TD Stein, G, sr., 6-1 Other returning letter winners and newcomers expected to contribute: Matt Cerney, P, sr., 6-0; Jake Bargen, G, sr., 6-0; Jake Danielson, G, jr., 5-10; Jayden Stack, G, so., 5-8; Keenan Johnson, G, jr., 6-0 Season outlook: “I think we will be much improved this year,” Coach Calkins said. “ We should be able to do a better job of scoring. We return our leading scorer and rebounder in Spencer Eliason. Spencer should be a 20-point, 15-rebound type of player this year. We also return our best shooter in Vonsihn Sayaloune. We also return our team leader in assists in Jackson Dickerson, who had double the assists of anyone else on the team.

We should be able to do a much bet ter job this year of getting up and down the court and scoring points. I believe our weakness from the last year [shooting and scoring ] will be strengths this year. We will have to work hard to replac e our two best defenders from last year in Matt Lordino and Bo Westlake. We have some young er p layer s who are eager to get on the floor and prove themselves. “ Last year we lost six games by five or fewer points, including a one-point loss to Gering and a threepoint loss to Scottsbluff. We need to do a better job of finishing in close games.”

Former athletes currently competing in college: Elliott Eliason, Minnesota ; Zac Bargen, Chadron State Other comments: Last season Eliason averaged 16.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per game and shot 64 percent from the field. Sayaloune averaged 7.2 points an d m ad e 3 6 3 - p o inter s.

Dickerson had 71 assists.

Schedule Dec. 5. Western Conference Tourney at Chadron Dec. 6-7..... Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff Dec. 13..... Gordon-Rushville Dec. 14................. Torrington Dec. 16............. Hot Springs Dec. 20........... at Scottsbluff Dec. 21..................... Gering Dec. 27-28... Rotary Holiday Tourney at Chadron Jan. 11.................at Mitchell Jan. 17.................... Alliance Jan. 24.................. at Gering Jan. 25.at Gordon-Rushville Jan. 31.................. at Sidney Feb. 1...................... Douglas Feb. 4.................. at Alliance Feb. 7....at St. Thomas More Feb. 11.............. at Valentine Feb. 14...................... Sidney Feb. 15....... at Sturgis Brown Feb. 20................ Red Cloud Feb. 24-27........ Sub-districts March 13-15.State at Lincoln

Dec. 6.....................Hyannis Dec. 7.................at Maxwell Dec. 13.............at Potter-Dix Dec. 14.......... Caliche, Colo.

Dec. 20... Sedgwick County, Colo.

Dec. 21.... at Banner County Jan. 3......... at Haxtun, Colo.

Jan. 7............... Peetz, Colo.

Jan. 11...............at Minatare Jan. 16................. at Paxton Jan. 20-25.. MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 30........... at Sutherland Jan. 31.... at Garden County Feb. 7.................... at Leyton Feb. 11........ Perkins County Feb. 14............. South Platte Feb. 21.................... Wallace

Garden County Nickname: Eagles Schedule Dec. 6...... at Banner County Dec. 7.. at Sedgwick County Dec. 13....................... Morrill Dec. 14...............at Crawford Dec. 17................ Bridgeport Jan. 4...................... Hyannis Jan. 10...........at Hemingford Jan. 14................... Minatare Jan. 18.... Wauneta-Palisade Jan. 20-25...MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 30..........at South Platte Jan. 31............. Creek Valley Feb. 6.............Arthur County Feb. 7............... at Potter-Dix Feb. 14..............Hay Springs Feb. 21...................... Leyton

Gering Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Last year’s season record: 13-10 Conference: Western L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Second District: 6 Last year’s district tournament results: Gering lost to Alliance in the semifinals.

Head coach: Randy Plummer Ye ar s a s G er i n g ’s h e ad coach: Eighth Plummer’s coaching record at Gering: 85-76 Varsity assistant coaches: Steve Land, Armand Castaneda, Emery Wilson Returning star ters (3): Joses Palomo, jr., 5-9, G; Christian Groskopf, sr., 6-3, F; Grant Olsson, sr., 6-4, P Other returning letter winners: Riley Haug, sr., 6-1, G; Esai Hernandez, jr., 6-1, F; Austin Hoffman, so., 6-2, G; Isaiah Wilson, sr., 6-0, F; Taylor Nelson, sr., 6-2, F; Gage Winkler, sr., 6-1, G To p n e w c o m e r s : J u s t i n Brester, sr., 6 -5, P; Brent Barge, so., 5-8, G; Kraiger

Ebbers, jr., 6-2, P; Danny Palomo, jr., 6-2, P; Sonny Salazar, so., 6-0, G Season outlook: “We have several players back with quality varsity experience,” Coach Plummer said. “We have decent size and are pret t y athletic. We are in a tough district and play a tough schedule. Hopefully, our team can reach our potential and have a great season.”

Strengths: “We have several offensive weapons and a team that believes in defense,” Plummer said.

Goals: “To be the best team we can be,” Plummer said.

Other comments: Last season Palomo averaged 8 points per game and shot 91 percent from the free-throw line. Groskopf averaged 9.5 points and 2.5 steals per game. Olsson averaged 7.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Last year’s highlights: “We won some big games last year against Scottsbluff, Sidney, and McCook. These are teams that are always tough to beat,” Plummer said.

Schedule Dec. 5-7.....Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/ Gering Dec. 12................ at Mitchell Dec. 13................ at Alliance Dec. 14................Wheatland Dec. 20.................. at Burns Dec. 21.............. at Chadron Jan. 2-4..... Cabela’s Holiday Shootout at Sidney Jan. 10..................at Sidney Jan. 18........ at Casper Kelly Walsh Jan. 24................... Chadron

Jan. 25............at Scottsbluff Jan. 28.............at Torrington Jan. 31.................... Alliance Feb. 4..................... Ogallala Feb. 7........................Sidney Feb. 13-15........... East-West Shootout Feb. 21............... Scottsbluff

Gordon-Rushville Nickname: Mustangs Schedule Dec. 6............at Hemingford Dec. 13............... at Chadron Dec. 14............. at Ainsworth Dec. 17................ at Hyannis Dec. 20.B ennett County, S.D. Dec. 21................. at Mullen Jan. 2-3...... Alliance Holiday Tourney Jan. 11.................. at Bayard Jan. 17..............Hay Springs Jan. 18................. at Kimball Jan. 21................ at Alliance Jan. 24............ Cody-Kilgore Jan. 25................... Chadron Jan. 31.....................Mitchell Feb. 6-8......... WTC Tourney Feb. 14................ Bridgeport Feb. 15................... at Morrill Feb. 21.............. at Valentine

Guernsey-Sunrise Nickname: Vikings Class: 1A Last year’s season record: 14-6 Regional: East Last year’s regional placing: Third Last year’s state tournament placing: Fifth Head coach: Casey Moats Years as Guernsey-Sunrise’s head coach: 10th Varsit y assistant coach : Jason Harmon

Returning star ters (3): Treasure Hollister, 5-8, jr., PG; Brady Esquibel, 5-9, jr., W; Meredith Hollister, 5-8, sr., W Other returning letter winners: Nicolas Cunningham, 6 - 4, jr., P; Austin Quynn, 5-10, jr., W; Isaac Carr, 6-0, sr., P Top newcomers/transfers: Anthony Ramirez, so., 5-7, W; Brandon Deuel, so., 5-10, P Season outlook: “We are excited about the season,” Coach Moats said. “We feel that we have some guys with a lot of experience and like our chances to make it back to the state tourney.”

Team streng ths : “ Guar d play, team quickness, willingness to work hard,” Moats said.

Team goals : “Get bet ter every day [and] make state,” Moats said.

Other comments: Last season Treasure Hollister was named all-state. Esquibel earned all-region honors.

Last year’s highlights: Placing fifth at state.

Schedule Dec. 6-7........Upton Tourney Dec. 14...........Sioux County Dec. 16...........at Rock River Dec. 20................... Midwest Jan. 10....................... Morrill Jan. 11...................at Hanna Jan. 14................. Southeast Jan. 17............at Pine Bluffs Jan. 18................ at Midwest Jan. 23.... Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 25................. at Kaycee Feb. 1............... at Southeast

See BOYS, page 8

Crawford Nickname: Rams Head coach: Rick Barry Years as Crawford’s head coach: Seventh Coaching record at Crawford: 60-75 Last year’s season record: 11-11 L a s t ye a r ’s s u b - d i s t r i c t results: Crawford lost to Potter-Dix in the final.

L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Third L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e tournament placing: Third Returning starters: Colton Micheel, 6-4, jr., G Other returning letter winners and newcomers who might contribute: Zach Cover, 6-4; Jason Cuevas, 5-5; Blendon Olson, 6 - 0 ; Josh Harris, 5-8; Dominic Clevenger, 6-0 Season outlook: “We have a chance to compete with team s i f we c a n g et i nto shape, work hard in practice, and learn how to give 100 percent efficient effort,” Coach Barry said. “The boys will have to learn on the fly because only one of them will have any varsity experience.”

Other comments: Micheel averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds a game last season, and he was named all-conference honorable mention.

Schedule Dec. 5.........at Sioux County Dec. 12..............Hay Springs Dec. 14.........Garden County Dec. 17............... at Minatare Dec. 19................... Hyannis Jan. 3-4...........Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 10........ Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 17..... at Banner County Jan. 21-25... PAC Tourney at Edgemont Jan. 31....................... Morrill Feb. 1.................... at Leyton Feb. 7.............. Cody-Kilgore Feb. 8.. at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 11............Sioux County Feb. 13..........at Hay Springs Feb. 21...........at Hemingford

Creek Valley Nickname: Storm Schedule

12/06-12/07 12/10/13 12/13/13 12/17/13 12/20/13 12/21/13 01/11/14 01/14/14 01/17/14 01/21-01/25 01/31/14 02/01/14 02/04/14 02/07/14 02/08/14 02/11/14 02/13/14

12/06-12/07 12/13/13 12/17/13 12/20/13 12/21/13 01/11/14 01/14/14 01/17/14 01/20-01/25 01/31/14 02/01/14 02/04/14 02/07/14 02/08/14 02/11/14 02/21/14

Bayard Invitational @ Peetz, CO @ South Platte Potter-Dix Banner County Hemingford @ Hay Springs @ Bridgeport @ Potter-Dix MAC Conference Tournament Sidney @ Minatare Crawford Sedgwick County, CO Creek Valley @ Pine Bluffs, WY Bayard Garden County

Bayard Tournament 12/10/13 @ Peetz, CO @ South Platte Potter-Dix Banner County Hemingford @ Hay Springs @ Bridgeport @ Potter-Dix MAC Conference Tournament Sidney @ Minatare Crawford Sedgwick County, CO Creek Valley @ Pine Bluffs, WY @ Bayard @ Garden County

Adams Bank and Trust

MEMBER

FDIC

Gehrig-Stitt Monument & Funeral Planning LLC www.gehrigstittchapel.com

Pennington Seed HOLECHEK FUNERAL HOME

DEAVER TIRE CO.

Winter Sports Preview

8 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Prep Boys Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 7 Feb. 8......................at Hulett Feb. 11......................... Lusk Feb. 14........at Sioux County Feb. 15...................... Hanna Feb. 21.at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 27-March 1... Regionals at Douglas March 6-8... State at Casper

Hay Springs Nickname: Hawks Last year’s season record: 4-17 L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Fifth L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e tournament placing: Fifth Head coach: Jason Badje Years as Hay Springs’ head coach: First Returning starters: Jordan Encinia, 5-10, G, jr.; Seth Nowak, 6-5, C, jr.; Matthew Hessler, 6-1, G/F, sr.

Other returning letter winners: Nate Letcher, 5-11, G, jr.; Eli Badje, 6-2, G /F, jr.; Dylan Parker, 5-11, jr., G Newcomers: Tyler Merritt, 6-2, so., F; Riley Abbott, 6-0, jr., F; Garrett Weyers, 6-3, fr., F Season outlook: “Last year’s team was very young and inexperienced,” Coach Badje said. “Earned a lot of maturity in minutes played last year. Though they are still young, they should show their court knowledge better than others their age. Added some height and weight over the summer. Should be deeper in the forward position and have some decent guard play. Boys are hard workers and though their record didn’t show it, they were competitive in most all games as well as pulling off an upset or two. Expect a higher confidence level and a tenac i ou s d efen se t hi s year.”

Other comments: Last season Encinia averaged 7 p o int s an d 3 re b oun d s a game. Nowak averaged six rebounds, and Hessler averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds.

Schedule Dec. 6.............Cody-Kilgore Dec. 7....... at Arthur County Dec. 12.............. at Crawford Dec. 14.................. at Mullen Dec. 17.......................Morrill Dec. 20.................... Bayard Dec. 27-28.Arapahoe Holiday Tourney Jan. 10.........Banner County Jan. 11......................Leyton Jan. 16........ at Cody-Kilgore Jan. 17.at Gordon-Rushville Jan. 18.................Potter-Dix Jan. 21-25... PAC Tourney at Edgemont Jan. 28.......... at Hemingford Jan. 31....... at Sioux County Feb. 4......................Hyannis Feb. 6.. at Little Wound, S.D. Feb. 8......at Edgemont, S.D. Feb. 13.................. Crawford Feb. 14.... at Garden County

Hemingford Nickname: Bobcats Class: D-1 Last year’s season record: 19-6 C o n fe r e n c e s : W TC a n d PAC Head coach: Randy Hiemstra Ye a r s a s H e m i n g f o r d ’s head coach: Sixth Coaching record: 72-46 at Hemingford; 323-212 overall (24 years total) Returning star ters (4): Blake Hansen, F, sr., 6-2; Colt Foster, F, jr., 6-3; Brady Turek, G, jr., 5-9; Matthew Wood, G, jr., 6-2 Other returning letter winners : Kyle Kaman, F, sr., 6 -1; Jameso n Forg ey, G, sr., 5-11; Matthew Mayer, P, sr., 6-2; Ethan Skinner, F, jr., 5-11 N e w c o m e r s : Ta n n e r Benge, P, so., 6 -3 ; Jacob Horstman, G, so., 5-9; Johnny M anning, G, so., 5 - 9 ; Cody Laursen, F, so., 5-10; Toby Phillips, F, so., 5 -9 ; Cole Walters, F, so., 5-10; Austin Wo b ig, F, fr., 6 -1; Jameson Wood, G, fr., 5-10 Season outlook: “We are looking forward to the upcoming season with much anticipation,” Coach Hiemstra said. “We feel like we have a lot of guys who can p l a y, w h i c h w i l l p r o v i d e

for healthy competition for playing time and make our practices ver y productive.

We believe we have a good combination of basketball skill, athleticism, and a competitive spirit to bring out the best in each of our players.

We are hoping to make a deeper run in postseason play as we have a bitter taste coming off our district final loss last season. We play a lot of good teams who are well coached.

Other comments: Last season Hansen averaged 9.7 points and 9.2 rebounds; Foster averaged 13.1 points a n d 7. 5 r e b o u n d s ; Tu r e k ave r a g e d 9.1 p o i n t s , 3 .7 assists, and 3.8 steals; and Wood averaged 13 points a n d w a s 5 7 o f 12 9 f r o m 3 - p o i n t r a n g e. ... Fo s t e r and Wood earned All-WTC honors, and Hansen, Foster, Turek, and Wood all earned All-PAC honors.

Schedule Dec. 6...... Gordon-Rushville Dec. 7.................at Hyannis Dec. 14.................... Mitchell Dec. 20...............Bridgeport Dec. 21................. at Leyton Dec. 27-28. Chadron Rotary Tourney at Chadron Jan. 10........ Garden County Jan. 11..... at Banner County Jan. 17................. at Bayard Jan. 18........... Sioux County Jan. 21-25... PAC Tourney at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 28............. Hay Springs Feb. 1......at Edgemont, S.D. Feb. 4.................at Minatare Feb. 6-8......... WTC Tourney Feb. 11...................at Morrill Feb. 14................. at Kimball Feb. 21.................. Crawford

Hyannis Nickname: Longhorns Class: D-2 Last year’s season record: 4-14 Conference: Sandhills Sub-district: 10 Head coach: Charles Ferguson A s s i s t a n t c o a c h : Ke v i n Kostman Year s as Hyannis’ head coach: First Returning starters: Travis Hoover, 5 -9, sr., G ; Gabe Haney, 5-8, so., G/P; Austin Anthony, 5-9, so., G Other returning letter winners and newcomers who mig ht c o ntr ibute : Jeremy Davis, jr., G; Tristan Nielson, jr., F; Blake Johnson, 6-0, jr., F; Tanner Holthus, sr., 6-3 Season outlook: “We only had one senior last year, so we had a group of young kids get a lot of game-time experience,” Ferguson said. “ With this experience and hard work in the offseason, I look for us to be very competitive.”

Other comments: Last seaso n H o over aver ag e d 12.2 points 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 1.8 assists per game. Haney averaged 10.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3. 2 steals. Anthony aver ag e d 5. 9 p o i nt s, 2 .4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. ...

Hoover is a four-year starter.

Schedule Dec. 6.......... at Creek Valley Dec. 7................Hemingford Dec. 13...................... Mullen Dec. 17..... Gordon-Rushville Dec. 19..............at Crawford Jan. 3.............Arthur County Jan. 4....... at Garden County Jan. 10............. South Platte Jan. 13......... Banner County Jan. 17............ Cody-Kilgore Jan. 23............. at Sandhills/ Thedford Jan. 24....... at Arthur County Jan. 28-31.Sandhills Conference Tourney at Hyannis Feb. 4............at Hay Springs Feb. 6....................... at SMC Feb. 7..........................Brady Feb. 14.................. at Mullen Feb. 15............... at Minatare Feb. 21....................... Morrill

Kimball Nickname: Longhorns Class: C-2 Schedule Dec. 6-7...... Kimball Tourney Dec. 13..... at Perkins County Dec. 14....................... Morrill Dec. 20................... Hershey Dec. 21................. at Bayard Jan. 9.................... at Sidney Jan. 10............ at Pine Bluffs Jan. 17.................Bridgeport

Jan. 18......Gordon-Rushville Jan. 21-25..SPVA Tourney at North Platte Jan. 28................. at Mitchell Jan. 31................ Pine Bluffs Feb. 1...............at Bridgeport Feb. 6-8..........WTC Tourney Feb. 14............... Hemingford Feb. 15............ at Sutherland Feb. 21..................... Mitchell

Leyton Nickname: Warriors Class: D-2 Last year’s season record: 22-3 Conference: MAC Last year’s conference record/placing: 6-0/first Last year’s district tournament placing: First Last year’s state tournam e n t : L ey t o n l o s t i n t h e semifinal round and ended up placing fourth.

Head coach: Gary Oltmann Ye ar s a s Ley to n’s h e ad coach: Sixth Overall coaching record : 339-195 Varsit y assistant coach : Steve Schumacher Returning star ters (4): Dylan Brenner, sr., 5-9, G; Brennen Cruise, sr., 6 - 0, C/F; Alex W. Frerichs, sr., 5 -10, G ; Cody McKay, jr., 6-1, F Other returning letter winners: Josh Reimers, sr., 6-0, F; David Blanke, sr., 6-2, C; Seth Schuessler, sr., 5-11, G/F; A.C. Frerichs, sr., 5-11, F; James Rushman, jr., G; Jared Westman, jr., 5-7, G Top newcomers/transfers: Tanner Bellmyer, so., 6-0, F; Rhett Dye, so., 5-6, G; Drew Brenner, fr., 5 -9, G ; Zach Hellie, fr., 6-0, F; Kenny Earnest, fr., 6-2, C Season outlook: “We hope to improve on some aspects needed to play better basketball this season,” Coach O l t m a n n s a i d . “ We w a n t to play more uptempo and apply more pressure on defense.”

Team strengths: “That we will always play hard and as a team,” Oltmann said.

Team goals: “To peak at the right time and make another trip to state,” Oltmann said.

Other comments: Last season Brenner averaged 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals; Cruise averaged 15 points,

nine reb ound s, three as sists, and three steals; Alex W. Freric hs averaged six points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals; and McKay averaged six points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

L a s t y e a r ’s h i g h l i g h t s : Winning the conference tournament for the second time in a row, winning the regular season conference championship for the third time, and winning in the first round at state Schedule Dec. 6-7...... Bayard Tourney Dec. 10.........at Peetz, Colo.

Dec. 13..........at South Platte Dec. 17................. Potter-Dix Dec. 20........ Banner County Dec. 21..............Hemingford Jan. 11..........at Hay Springs Jan. 14............ at Bridgeport Jan. 17............. at Potter-Dix Jan. 20-25...MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 31............... at Minatare Feb. 1.................... Crawford Feb. 4....... Sedgwick County Feb. 7............... Creek Valley Feb. 8..............at Pine Bluffs Feb. 11.................. at Bayard Feb. 21..... at Garden County

Lingle-FL Nickname: Doggers Class: 1A Last year’s season record: 7-20 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference record/placing: 1-7/fourth Regional: 1A Southeast Last year’s regional placing: Fourth Last year’s state tournament: Lingle-Ft. Laramie lost in the consolation round to Upton.

Head coach : Steve Zimmerman Years as Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s head coach: Second Zimmer man’s overall coaching record: 163-158 Varsit y assistant coach : Rob Hunt Returning star ters (4): Barry Greenwald, jr., 6-3, W; Kyle Mirich, jr., 5-9, G; K.C. Henry, so., 6-0, G; Brice Hill, so., 6-0, P Other returning letter winners: Matt Bebo, so., 5-8, G; Ian Duncan, sr., 6-0, P Season outlook: “We are a young team with only one senior,” Zimmerman said. “ We d o h ave ex p e r i e n c e

12/5 .............................. Crawford 12/7 ..............................@ Cody-Kilgore 12/9 ........................... Alliance JV 12/13 ...................................@ Minatare 12/14 ..............@Guernsey-Sunrise, WY 12/21 ....................... Arthur County 1/3-4 ................SC Holiday Tourney 1/9 .................................@ Oelrichs, SD 1/10 .................. Lingle-Ft. Laramie 1/14 .............................@Edgemont, SD 1/18 ................................@ Hemingford 1/21-25 .............................PAC Tourney 1/31 .......................... Hay Springs 2/7 ................................ Minatare 2/8 ............................. @ Banner County 2/11 ...................................@ Crawford 1/14 ............. Guernsey-Sunrise, WY 2/21 ....................... Edgemont, SD

and have improved in key positions. We will be more competitive and look to see improvement on our overall record. In our 1A district, we could be very strong by the end of the year, looking to a third consecutive trip to state.”

Team strengths: “Returning a core group that earned a lot of experience last year,” Zimmerman said. “Our speed will allow us to put more pressure on the ball and the unity /work ethic of the team has been very strong.”

Team goals: “Improve individually and as a team each day, [and] return to the state tourney,” Zimmerman said.

Other comments: Last season Greenwald earned all-conference honors.

Last year’s highlights: “Last year’s team exceeded expectations when they qualified for state,” Zimmerman said.

Schedule Dec. 6-7...... Bayard Tourney Dec. 13-14....... Burns Winter Classic Dec. 20...........at Pine Bluffs Dec. 21........................ Lusk Jan. 10........at Sioux County Jan. 11........................Burns Jan. 17....... vs. Southeast at EWC Jan. 18............at Rock River Jan. 23.at Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 28.................. at Bayard Jan. 31....................at Burns Feb. 1..................Pine Bluffs Feb. 7....................... at Lusk Feb. 8.................... Crawford Feb. 14......... Banner County Feb. 15................. at Kaycee Feb. 21.... Guernsey-Sunrise Feb. 22....... vs. Southeast at EWC Feb. 27-29........ Regionals at Douglas March 6-8... State at Casper

Minatare Nickname: Indians Class: D-2 Last year’s season record: 12-7 Conference: MAC L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e plac ings : Second in both regular season standings and tournament Sub-district: 11 Last year’s district results: Minatare lost in the second round Head coach: Kyle Cotton

12/5 ................................. Crawford 12/7 ...................................@Cody-Kilgore 12/9 .............................. Alliance JV 12/13 .......................................@ Minatare 12/14 ................ @ Guernsey-Sunrise, WY 12/19 ......................... Edgemont, SD 12/21 .......................... Arthur County 1/3-4 ...................SC Holiday Tourney 1/9 .....................................@ Oelrichs, SD 1/10 ............... Lingle-Ft. Laramie, WY 1/14 ................................@ Edgemont, SD 1/18 .......................................@Heminford 1/20-25 .................................PAC Tourney 1/31 ............................. Hay Springs 2/7 ................................... Minatare 2/8 .................................@ Banner County 2/11 ........................................@ Crawford 2/14 ................ Guernsey-Sunrise, WY

Years as Minatare’s head coach: Second Cotton’s overall coaching record: 50-42 Varsity assistant coach: JJ Ozuna Returning star ters (4): Javier Guerrero, jr., 6-0, G; Chance McAllister, jr., 6-1, F; Yovan Perez, so., 5 - 8, G ; Dominic Longoria, so., 6-0, F Other returning letter winners: Juan Garfio, jr., 5-8, G Top newcomers/transfers: Tyler Koke, jr., 6-3, F; Orin S t ar ke, jr., 6 - 0, F; Tere n Barnett, so., 5-10, G; Austin Fisher, fr., 5 -10, G ; Z ac k Gibbons, fr., 6-0, G/F; Nate Andrew, fr., 5 -11, G ; Kyle Lane, fr., 5-11, G/F Season outlook: “We only lost one senior, but we lost a starter to a transfer to Gering,” Coach Cotton said. “We return the core of our team and think we can contend for the MAC championship again after finishing second last year. If we can find more consistency and a few of our newcomer s can step into bigger roles, we should be able to achieve our goals.”

Team strengths: “Our biggest strength is quickness at every position,” Cotton said.

“We do not have a lot of size, so we will need to use our quickness to our advantage, especially on the defensive end and in transition.”

Team goals : “ Find more consistency on the offensive end,” Cotton said.

Other comments: Last season Guerrero averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 steals p er g am e. M cA lli s ter ave r a g e d 5 .1 p o i n t s , 5 . 2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals; Perez averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals; and Longoria averaged 8.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.

L a s t y e a r ’s h i g h l i g h t s : Placing second in the MAC Tournament and recording a 12-7 record.

Schedule Dec. 6.............. South Platte Dec. 10.... at Banner County Dec. 13............Sioux County Dec. 17.................. Crawford Dec. 20...... at Arthur County Jan. 11............. Creek Valley Jan. 14..... at Garden County Jan. 17................... at Morrill

See BOYS, page 9

12/6 ................... Crawford Invite 12/13-14 ...................Lusk Invite 12/21Sidney/Bridgeport Tourney 1/11 ..........Garden County Invite 1/25 .......................Mullen Invite 2/1 ................... Red Cloud Invite 2/8 .........SE Duals @ Yoder, WY

Home Games In Bold

Platte Valley Bank A Platte Valley Company

Member FDIC

www.pvbankne.com

Lotton’s

Jolliffe Funeral Home

Service & Repair

2104 Broadway • Scottsbluff 632-2121

120 Hwy 20, Harrison • 308-668-2300

Best Of Luck To All Area Teams!

westco.coop

jirdon.com

Agronomy | Feed | Jirdon | New Alliance Bean | Petroleum | Slafter Oil | Western Aviation

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 9

Prep Boys Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 8 Jan. 18......... Banner County Jan. 20-25...MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 28....... at Oelrichs, S.D. Jan. 31...................... Leyton Feb. 1............... at Potter-Dix Feb. 4.................Hemingford Feb. 7..........at Sioux County Feb. 15.................... Hyannis Feb. 21................. Potter-Dix

Mitchell Nickname: Tigers Class: C-1 Last year’s season record: 10-11 Conferences : Western Trails and Western L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Fourth in the regular season Sub-district: 12 Head coach: Jayson Gregory Years as Mitchell’s head coach: First Varsity assistant coaches: Tanner Long, Shawn Harvey Returning star ters: Bo McVay, sr., 6 -2, G ; Jamie Fegler, sr., 6 -1, G ; Adam Schlot thauer, sr., 5 - 9, G ; Nick Harriger, sr., 6 - 0, P; Alex Morales, jr., 6-1, G/P; Antonio Barrios, jr., 5-11, G; Zach Pieper, sr., 6-5, P Other returning letter winn e r s : N a c h o R o c h a , s r., 5-10, G; Garett Braman, sr., 6-4, G/P Brad Gillen, sr., 6-0, G/P Season outlook: “We have a lot of experience returni n g t h i s s e a s o n ,” C o a c h Gregory said. “Expectations are set high, and the boys are working to take the program to the next level. We have strong leadership from Adam Schlotthauer, Bo McVay, Jamie Fegler, and the rest of the senior class. “ We fe e l t h at t h e r e a r e m a ny g o o d te a m s i n t h e area, and the Western Trails Conference play will be very competitive the entire season.

“We look to build on last year’s accomplishments.”

Team s tre n g t h s : “ D e pt h and overall team speed are our strengths,” Gregory said.

“We will focus on improving our defensive intensity and rebounding.”

Other comments: Last season McVay earned AllWTC and All-Western Conference first-team honors as well as all-state honorable mention honors. Fegler was tabbed All-WTC first team and honorable mention WC. S c h l ot t h au er wa s n a m e d honorable mention All-WTC and Western Conference.

Harriger was chosen honorable mention All-Western Conference.

Schedule Dec. 5-7..... Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/ Gering Dec. 12...................... Gering Dec. 14...........at Hemingford Dec. 20................ Southeast Dec. 21...................... Morrill Jan. 2-3...... Alliance Holiday Tourney Jan. 3.................. at Alliance Jan. 11................... Chadron Jan. 14....................at Burns Jan. 18............ at Bridgeport Jan. 24......................Bayard Jan. 25............ at Pine Bluffs Jan. 28..................... Kimball Jan. 31. at Gordon-Rushville Feb. 6-8......... WTC Tourney Feb. 14....................Ogallala Feb. 15.................. at Sidney Feb. 21................. at Kimball

Morrill Nickname: Lions Class: D-1 Last year’s season record: 5-14 Head coach: Bill Edwards Ye a r s a s M o r r i l l ’s h e a d coach: First Varsit y assistant coach : Kyle Patterson R e t u r n i n g s t a r t e r s (1) : Jorge Lara, jr., G Other returning letter winners: Ryan McMackin, so., G ; Jordan Rohde, so., P;

Victor Valles, jr., G Top newcomers/transfers: Riley Debeor, jr., P; Colten Miller, sr., G; Thalor Mendoza, sr., P Season outlook: “We have a very young team that will do pretty well once they get things figured out,” Edwards said.

Te a m s t r e n g t h s : “ Q u i c k guards and posts who can get up and down the floor,” Edwards said.

Schedule Dec. 6-7..... Kimball Tourney Dec. 13..... at Garden County Dec. 14................. at Kimball Dec. 17..........at Hay Springs Dec. 20....... Edgemont, S.D. Dec. 21................at Mitchell Jan. 3-4...........Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 10.at Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 14.................. at Bayard Jan. 17................... Minatare Jan. 21-25... PAC Tourney at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 31...............at Crawford Feb. 1........... Banner County Feb. 6-8......... WTC Tourney Feb. 11...............Hemingford Feb. 13................ Bridgeport Feb. 15..... Gordon-Rushville Feb. 21................ at Hyannis

5-5, PG ; Jordan Jackson, so., 6-3, P; Logan Lamar, so., 5-11, P; Zack Venable, jr., 6-1, P; Adam Kraft, jr., 5-10, W Season outlook: “Our season outlo ok lo oks g o o d,” C o a c h M u r r ay s a i d . “ We have s c orer s, d efend er s, speed, and quickness along with some good young players who have shown through the summer that they can play at a varsity level. If we can rebound at a level that allows us to keep the tempo up, we should be able to play with anybody we have on the schedule. of course, at a school our size, we have to stay healthy through the football and basketball seasons.”

Other comments: Last season Dockery earned all-state and all-conference honors af ter averaging 15 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Matt VandeBossche averaged 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game; Derick VandeBossche averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds ; and Shaw averaged 6 points and 3 assists per game while earning all-conference honors.

Schedule Dec. 21.at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 4.................. Newcastle Jan. 10................. Southeast Jan. 11............at Pine Bluffs Jan. 17........................Burns Jan. 18.................. Saratoga Jan. 31............. at Southeast Feb. 1......................at Burns

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

7...... Lingle-Ft. Laramie 11.at Guernsey-Sunrise 14...............at Saratoga 15................Pine Bluffs 21...................at Wright 22..................Moorcroft

Pine Bluffs Nickname: Hornets Class: 2A Last year’s season record: 15-9 Conference: SEWAC L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: Second Last year’s regional tourney: Pine Bluffs lost in the consolation semifinals Head coach: Will Gray Years as Pine Bluffs’ head coach: Second

See BOYS, page 10

Niobrara County Nickname: Tigers Head coach: Rich Murray Years as Niobrara County’s head coach: 24th Coaching record at Lusk: 357-180 Overall coaching record : 471-268 (37 years) Last year’s season record: 24-5 L a s t ye a r ’s p o s t s e a s o n results: Niobrara County finished second at state Conference: SEWAC L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placing: First Last year’s regional placing: Third Returning players: Hunter Dockery, sr., 6-0, W; Matt Van d e B os s c he, sr., 5 -11, W; Derick VandeBossche, jr., 6-0, W; Denton Shaw, jr.,

EVERY DAY COUNTS! Enroll now. Don’t be late. Classes start January 13.

12/06-12/07 12/13/13 12/14/13 12/20/13 12/21/13 01/07/14 01/09/14 01/10/14 01/17/14 01/18/14

GIRLS BASKETBALL Kimball Tournament @ Perkins County Morrill Hershey @ Bayard Mitchell @ Sidney @ Pine Bluffs, WY Bridgeport Gordon-Rushville

01/20-01/25 01/28/14 01/31/14 02/01/14 02/06-02/08 02/14/14 02/15/14

BOYS BASKETBALL

12/06-12/07 12/13/13 12/14/13 12/20/13 12/21/13 01/09/14 01/10/14 01/17/14 01/18/14 01/21-01/25

Kimball Tournament @ Perkins County Morrill Hershey @ Bayard @ Sidney @ Pine Bluffs, WY Bridgeport Gordon-Rushville SPVA North Platte

01/28/14 01/31/14 02/01/14 02/06-02/08 02/14/14 02/15/14 02/21/14

SPVA North Platte CC @ Mitchell Pine Bluffs, WY @Bridgeport Western Trails Conference Tournament WNCC Hemingford @ Sutherland

@ Mitchell Pine Bluffs, WY @ Bridgeport Western Trails Conference Tournament WNCC Hemingford @ Sutherland Mitchell

WRESTLING Important WNCC Enrollment Deadlines ¼ January 10 - Last Day for New Students to Register ¼ January 12 - Last Day for Returning Students to Register ONLINE ¼ January 13 - Classes Begin for the Spring and 1st 8-Week Terms

Don't keep your future waiting.

Morgan Yost Pre-Dentistry

wncc.edu

Call today! 308.635.6010

Start here. Get there.

12/05/13 12/05/13 12/14-12/14 12/21-12/21 01/09-01/09 01/11-01/11 01/16 01/24-01/25 02/01-02/01 02/06-02/06

Mitchell Triangular (host: Mitchell) Morrill Triangular (host: Mitchell) Banner county Invite (1-Day Tourney) Harrisburg Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament Western Trails Conference Tournament Gordon-Rushville Garden County Invite Oshkosh Kimball Quad Kimball Lingle Invitational Lingle, WY Mitchell Invite Mitchell SPVA Dual Tournament Sutherland High School

Larsen Jewelry

Bemis Drug & Home Oxygen

Central Garden & Pet

WRESTLING

BOYS BASKETBALL 12/05-12/07 .............................................(To Be Determined) 12/13.........................................................Gordon-Rushville 12/14............................................................. Torrington, WY 12/16........................................................... Hot Springs, SD 12/20................................................................. @ Scottsbluff 12/21........................................................................... Gering 12/27-12/28 .............................................(To Be Determined) 1/11 ........................................................................ @ Mitchell 1/17........................................................................... Alliance ur th year 1/24......................................................................... @ Gering 1/25........................................................ @ Gordon-Rushville o 1/31......................................................................... @ Sidney 2/01....................................................................Douglas, SD 2/04........................................................................@ Alliance Index 2/07..................................................@ St. Thomas More, SD Harriette Cole....................XA 2/11 ..................................................................... @ Valentine Local.................................XA 2/14.............................................................................

Sidney Nation...............................XA 2/15.................................................................. @ Sturgis, SD Classifieds..........................XA 2/20................................................................Red Cloud, SD Comics. ..............................XA Markets.............................XA Obituaries..........................XA Opinion..............................XA Focus page..........................XA Weather.............................XA

O

114 N . XC

Chamberlain Chapel

1

$ 00

GIRLS BASKETBALL 12/05-12/07 .............................................(To Be Determined) 12/13.........................................................Gordon-Rushville 12/14............................................................. Torrington, WY 12/16........................................................... Hot Springs, SD 12/20................................................................. @ Scottsbluff 12/21........................................................................... Gering 1/02-1/04 .................................................(To Be Determined) 1/11 ........................................................................ @ Mitchell 1/14.....................................................St. Thomas More, SD 1/17........................................................................... Alliance 1/24......................................................................... @ Gering 1/25........................................................ @ Gordon-Rushville 1/31......................................................................... @ Sidney 2/01....................................................................Douglas, SD 2/04........................................................................@ Alliance 2/07..................................................@ St. Thomas More, SD 2/08................................................................Red Cloud, SD 2/11 ..................................................................... @ Valentine 2/14............................................................................. Sidney 2/15.................................................................. @ Sturgis, SD

12/07.................................................................. Blazer Duals 12/12......................................... Triangular (host: Chadron) 12/14..................................................... Gordon-Rushville Inv 12/21.................................................................. Valentine Inv 1/09............................................................................ Alliance 1/10-1/11........................................................... Shane Shatto 1/17....................................................... East West Challenge 1/24-1/25 ............................................................ Chadron Inv 1/30........................................ Triangular (host: Douglas, SD) 2/04........................................................................ @ Mitchell 2/08.............................................................. Southeast Duals

Herren Bros.

Tru-Value Hardware & Building Center

Hay Springs Lumber & Hardware

Pioneer Manor

10 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Prep Boys Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 9 Returning star ters: Scott Gross Other returning letter winn e r s : Ky l e J e f fr e s , Tr e n t Werner, Marquice Rivers, Harvey De La Cruz, Preston Thurin Season outlook: “We have a lot of players to replace from last year’s ver y successful team,” Coach Gray said. “Even though it didn’t end the way we wanted, we we r e a b l e to a c c o m p l i s h many great things. This year’s roster is very young and inexperienced, but they are coachable and willing to do what it takes to be successful. This group will go how our sophomores go. If they play well and limit the mistakes, then we will have a chance to be a good ball club come Februar y. One of them will have to step up to the plate and be the point guard to distribute the ball to our post players, and another one will need to be able to knock down the mid-range jumper consistently. We will again focus our efforts on continuing to be the best defensive team in the conference. Playing aggressive man to man defense and getting up and down the floor in transition is the identity our coach’s players want to be known by.”

Schedule Dec. 20... Lingle-Ft. Laramie Dec. 21..............at Saratoga Jan. 10..................... Kimball Jan. 11......................... Lusk Jan. 17.... Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 18............. at Southeast Jan. 24....................at Burns Jan. 25.....................Mitchell Jan. 31................. at Kimball Feb. 1.. at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 7.................... Saratoga Feb. 8........................ Leyton Feb. 14................. Potter-Dix Feb. 15..................... at Lusk Feb. 21................. Southeast Feb. 22........................Burns

Potter-Dix Nickname: Coyotes Class: D-1 Last year’s season record: 9-14 C o nfere n c e : M i nu te m a n Activities L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placings: Fifth in the regular season standings; third in the tournament Sub-district tournament: 12 Last year’s district placing: Second

Head coach: Chad Miller Years as Potter-Dix’s head coach: Second Miller’s coaching record : 26-34 Varsit y assistant coach : Lance Juelfs Returning starters (3): Bryant Knigge, 5-9, sr., G; Jake Johnson, 6-0, jr., F; Trevor Harms, 6-6, jr., C Other returning letter winners: Tyler Magninie, 5-9, so., G Top newcomers/transfers: Cameron Purcell, 5-10, jr., G/F; Cooper Hicks, 5-10, jr., F; Trace Sharman, 5-9, jr., G / F; Kelsey Rozelle, 5 -9, so., G ; Caleb Shaw, 5 - 8, jr., G Season outlook: “This season we will be working hard on our cohesiveness,” Coach Miller said. “Players w i l l h ave to s te p u p i nto vital roles as we will try to replace five graduating seniors. Our players will need to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities that they will be given. Our underclassmen have talent and will have an immediate impact on our team dynamic.

I believe that our practice time will be purposeful and ver y c o m p et i t i ve. A l l o ur conference and non-conference opponents are going to be tough, so we will need to work every day at making our teammates better. I am looking forward to working with these young men and am ver y o pt imi st i c ab out what this new season will bring.”

Team strengths : “ Determination to improve,” Miller said.

Team goals: “To work hard every practice, to seek improvement, to be the best teammates and coaches we possibly can, and to be competitive each and every time we take the court,” Miller said. “ Other comments: Last season Knigge averaged 17.4 points per game and shot 75 percent from the free-throw line. Johnson averaged 4.75 points and 3 rebounds, and Harms averaged 3 rebounds, .5 blocks, and shot 44 percent from the field.

Last year’s highlights: Placing third in the conference tournament, placing first in the D1-12 sub-district tournament, and placing second in the D1-6 district final.

Schedule Dec. 6..at Sedgwick County,

Colo.

Dec. 7.......... Banner County Dec. 13............. Creek Valley Dec. 14.................. at Paxton Dec. 17.................. at Leyton Dec. 20..........Caliche, Colo.

Jan. 10......................Bayard Jan. 11..........at South Platte Jan. 17...................... Leyton Jan. 18..........at Hay Springs Jan. 20-25...MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 31..... at Banner County Feb. 1..................... Minatare Feb. 7...........Garden County Feb. 8..........................Burns Feb. 11..........at Peetz, Colo.

Feb. 14............at Pine Bluffs Feb. 21............... at Minatare

Scottsbluff Nickname: Bearcats

Class: B Last year’s season record: 23-6 Conferences: Western and GNAC L a s t y e a r ’s c o n f e r e n c e placings: First in both Western Conference and GNAC District: 6 Last year’s district tournament placing: First Last year’s state tournament: Second Head coach: Tony Siske Years as Scottsbluff’s head coach: Seventh Overall coaching record : 175-117 Varsity assistant coaches: Mike Burda, Nick Goranson, Scott Gullion, Colton Ehler R e t u r n i n g s t a r t e r s (1 ) : Jackson Hinze, 5-8, jr., G

Other returning letter winners: Austin Clarkson, 6-7, so., F; Beau Lofink, 5-9, sr., G; Trent Harris, 6-1, jr., G; Matthew Mickey, 6-1, jr., F; Ty Benson, 5-11, jr., G; Dillon H er nan d ez, 5 -10, so., G ; Traceten Halley, 5-10, so., G Season outlook: “ We return eight letter winners who have some varsity experience and many others who competed very well at the JV and other levels,” Coach Siske said. “Competition for varsity spots will make practices ver y comp e t i t i ve a n d s h o u l d h e l p us improve as the season goes on. Depth should be a strength as we will have m any k i d s c o m p et i n g for playing time.”

Team strengths: “Depth,” Siske said. “Our practices have been very competitive as the players continue to battle for playing time.”

Team goals: “Compete for championships,” Siske said.

Other comments: Last season Hinze averaged 3.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

L a s t y e a r ’s h i g h l i g h t s : Winning Western Conference and district championships for the third straight year.

Former athletes currently competing in college: David D o w n ey, C h a d r o n S t a t e ; Zach Clemens, UNK; Rich Williams, EWC

See BOYS, page 11

HOME GAMES IN BOLD GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

BOYS’ BASKETBALL Dec. 6 ........... Hyannis Dec. 7 ........... @ Maxwell Dec. 13 ......... @ Potter-Dix Dec. 14 ......... Caliche, CO Dec. 20 ......... Sedgwick County, CO Dec. 21 ......... @ Banner County Jan. 3 ............ @ Haxtun, CO Jan. 7 ........... Peetz, CO Jan. 11 .......... @ Minatare Jan. 16 .......... @ Paxton Jan. 20-25..... (To Be Determined) Jan. 30 .......... @ Sutherland Jan. 31 .......... @ Garden County Feb. 7 ........... @ Leyton Feb. 11 ......... Perkins County Feb. 14 ......... South Platte Feb. 21 ......... Wallace

Dec. 6 ........... Hyannis Dec. 7 ........... @ Maxwell Dec. 13 ......... @ Potter-Dix Dec. 14 ......... Caliche, CO Dec. 20 ......... Sedgwick County, CO Dec. 21 ......... @ Banner County Jan. 3 ............ @ Haxtun, CO Jan. 7 ........... Peetz, CO Jan. 11 .......... @ Minatare Jan. 16 .......... @ Paxton Jan. 21-25..... (To Be Determined) Jan. 30 .......... @ Sutherland Jan. 31 .......... @ Garden County Feb. 7 ........... @ Leyton Feb. 11 ......... Perkins County Feb. 14 ......... South Platte

WRESTLING

Dec. 7 ........... Bronco Invite Dec. 14 ......... Banner County Invite Dec. 21 ......... Sutherland Invitational Jan. 11 .......... Garden County Invite Jan. 18 .......... Sandhills/Thedford ...................... Knights Invitational Feb. 1 ........... Irish Invite Feb. 8 ........... Southwest Invitational

Adams Bank & Trust 308-874-2800

Pennington Seed

Deaver Tire Co.

GEHRIG-STITT

Holecheck

Monument & Funeral Planning LLC www.gehrigstittchapel.com

FUNERAL HOME

GIRLS BASKETBALL 12/06-12/07 ..............................................(To Be Determined) 12/13........................................................................@ Bayard 12/14.....................................................................Sutherland 12/17...........................................................@ Garden County 12/20................................................................ @ Hemingford 1/02.........................................................................@ Alliance 1/02-1/03 ..................................................(To Be Determined) 1/09........................................................................@ Ogallala 1/11 ...........................................................................Hershey

1/14..............................................................................Leyton 1/17......................................................................... @ Kimball 1/18............................................................................ Mitchell 1/24.......................................................................... @ Sidney 1/31..............................................................................Bayard 2/01.............................................................................Kimball 2/06-2/08 ..................................................(To Be Determined) 2/13........................................................................... @ Morrill 2/14......................................................... @ Gordon-Rushville

Morrill County Community Clinic

Nein Pharmacy

WRESTLING

Dental Clinic

Chimney Rock Public Power

Jolliffe

Platte Valley Bank

BRIDGEPORT Funeral Home

A Touchstone Energy Partner

A Platte Valley Company www.pvbankne.com

BOYS BASKETBALL 12/06-12/07 ..............................................(To Be Determined) 12/13........................................................................@ Bayard 12/14.....................................................................Sutherland 12/17...........................................................@ Garden County 12/20................................................................ @ Hemingford 1/02.........................................................................@ Alliance 1/02-1/03 ..................................................(To Be Determined) 1/09........................................................................@ Ogallala 1/11 ............................................................................Hershey 1/14..............................................................................Leyton 1/17......................................................................... @ Kimball 1/18............................................................................ Mitchell 1/24.......................................................................... @ Sidney 1/31..............................................................................Bayard 2/01.............................................................................Kimball 2/06-2/08 ..................................................(To Be Determined) 2/13........................................................................... @ Morrill 2/14......................................................... @ Gordon-Rushville 2/21 .............................................................................Paxton

FDIC

12/05................................... Triangular (host: Garden County) 12/07....................................................................... Mullen Inv 12/12................................................ Triangular (host: Bayard) 12/21....................................... Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament 1/09........................... Western Trails Conference Tournament 1/11 ............................................................Garden County Inv 1/16...............................................................................Sidney 1/18............................................................. Chase County Inv 1/24-1/25 ............................................................. Chadron Inv 2/01........................................................................Mitchell Inv 2/08............................................................... Southeast Duals

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 11

Prep Boys Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 10 Schedule Dec. 5-7..... Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/ Gering Dec. 12-14... ReMax Tourney at Gillette, Wyo. Dec. 20.................. Chadron Jan. 2-4.G NAC at Scottsbluff Jan. 10.................... Alliance Jan. 17..... at Cheyenne East Jan. 18.... Cheyenne Central Jan. 25...................... Gering Jan. 31.at Rapid City Stevens Feb. 1........................ Sidney Feb. 7.................. at Alliance Feb. 8.................... at Sidney Feb. 13-15............East-West Shootout Feb. 21.................. at Gering Feb. 22.... Rapid City Central

Sidney Nickname: Red Raiders Class: B Last year’s season record: 15-8 District: 6 Head coach: Erik Kohl Year s a s S i d n ey ’s head coach: Second Kohl’s overall coaching record: 38-34 (15-8 at Sidney) Assistant coach: Chris Arent Returning starters: Paxton Ehler, G, 6-0; Lane Harvey, G, 5-7; Logan Lewis, P, 6-1 Other returning letter winners and newcomers: Lucas Rosenbaum, G, 6 -1; Nick Castner, P, 6-5; Tyler Wintholz, P, 6-3; Jake Sager, P, 6-4; Cutter O’Connell, G, 6-1 Season outlook: “We have a solid group of high character student athletes who have experience, are unselfish, and want to be successful,” Coach Kohl said. “Being consistent and continuing to have a team-first mindset will be key for us to be successful throughout the season.”

Schedule Dec. 5-7.....Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/ Gering Dec. 13.......... Chase County Dec. 19................... Alliance Jan. 2-4..... Cabela’s Holiday Tourney at Sidney Jan. 9.......................Kimball Jan. 10......................Gering Jan. 11................at McCook Jan. 17............... at Ogallala Jan. 18................. Lexington Jan. 24................Bridgeport Jan. 25...... at Sterling, Colo.

Jan. 31................... Chadron Feb. 1..............at Scottsbluff

Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

4...... at Perkins County 7.................... at Gering 8................. Scottsbluff 14............... at Chadron 15.................... Mitchell 21................ at Alliance

Sioux County Nickname: Warriors Last year’s season record: 13-10 Head coach: Paul Windsor Assistant coach: Dan Valenta Returning letter winners: Levi Wilson, Connor Rodenbaugh, Phlip Parker, Kyle Westover, Nathan Woodrum Strengths: “We have some really good players returning for us this season,” Coach Windsor said. “Kyle Westover is a 6-4 junior post player who improved a lot last season. Nathan Woodrum is a fine guard who is a good decision-maker and leader.

He has continued to work on his game, which will make us as a team better. We have an excellent senior group that includes Levi Wilson, John Murphy, Connor Rodenbaugh, and Philip Parker who have a lot of experience. We should have good d e p t h . T h e p l aye r s h ave shown that they are willing to work hard, and they should do a good job of applying the new offensive and defensive nuances we will introduce this season.”

Weak nesses : “ Sc oring can be a challenge for us at times,” Windsor said. “ We also need to replace a couple of fine players in Jonny Dunn and Garret Gray. I look for Garrett Ellis to fill Dunn’s shoes on the offensive end of the floor. Hopefully, we will get a tag team ef for t from Riley Ellis and Trevor Ginkens to make up what we lost with Gray’s departure.

Ball handling can be a trick at times, but I see our team strengthening these skills as the season goes on. As always, our team and season will be a work in progress.”

Expectations: “ We’re exc i te d a b o u t wo r k i n g w i t h a good group of players,” Windsor said. “ We will fac e d if ferent c halleng es throughout the season as we will face some pretty stiff competition. Our experience should help us. We look forward to being competitive in the PHC.”

Other comments: “It’s always fun to work with players as they add that extra year of experience,” Windsor said.

“The team can run offensive sets that are more complex and the defensive rotations have fewer breakdowns generally. I’m looking forward to working with a good group of students. Hopefully, we can continue what they did this past football season and have a solid season.”

Schedule Dec. 5................... Crawford Dec. 7......... at Cody-Kilgore Dec. 9................ Alliance JV Dec. 13...............at Minatare Dec. 14.at Guernsey-Sunrise Dec. 21......... Arthur County Jan. 3-4.......... Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 9.........at Oelrichs, S.D. Jan. 10....Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 14....at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 18.......... at Hemingford Jan. 21-25... PAC Tourney at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 31............. Hay Springs Feb. 7.....................Minatare Feb. 8....... at Banner County Feb. 11.............. at Crawford Feb. 14.... Guernsey-Sunrise Feb. 21........Edgemont, S.D.

Southeast Nickname: Cyclones Class: 2A Last year’s season record: 2-21 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference re-

cord/placing: 1-9/fifth Regional: Southeast Last year’s regional record/ placing: 0-10/fifth Head coach: Tim Williams Years as Southeast’s head coach: 11th (first since 2010) Williams’ overall coaching record: 165-67 Varsit y assistant coach : Crockett Herring Returning star ters (4): Dustin Baldridge, sr., 6-1, W; Cody Johnson, sr., 6-1, P; Garrett Murphy, jr., 6-1, W; Jeff Burrough, so., 6-0, W Other returning letter winner s : Konnor Har ves, jr., 5-11, P; David Becker, so., 6-0, P/W Season outlook: “ We are going to have to come together as a team and improve fundamentally to be successful,” Coach Williams said. “Our defensive intensity must also improve, along with learning a new offensive and defensive system. All of this will take time, but if the kids continue working hard, I look for good things out of this group.”

Team strengths: “Numbers [24 out] and desire for playing time,” Williams said. “We have a lot of young kids out.

I see a lot of desire in these players to earn playing time.”

Team goals: “Improve as a team throughout the entire season,” Williams said. “We know it will take us some time to gel, but our overall

T

Torrington Nickname: Trailblazers Class: 3A Last year’s season record: 9-15 Regional: East Last year’s regional record/ placing: 7-9/fifth Head coach: A.J. Gross Years as Torrington’s head coach: Third Coac hing record at Torrington: 32-20 Returning starters (2): Alex McAnelly, 5-11, sr., G; Matt

Richardson, 5-8, jr., PG Other returning letter winners: Brock Youtz, 5-9, sr.; Brett Spencer, 5-9, sr.; Will Anderson, 6-1, sr.,; Tony English, 6-0, sr.; Trey Faessler, 5-10, jr.

Top newcomers/transfers: Jace Canaday, 5-11, so.

Season outlook: “We are excited to build upon our summer workouts,” Coach Gross said. “We had several players put in a good amount of time in the weight room and gym throughout June, July, and August.”

Schedule Dec. 5-7................. Western Conference Tourney Dec. 14............... at Chadron Dec. 20-21.Douglas Classic Jan. 10.................... Rawlins Jan. 11............at Wheatland Jan. 17................... Worland Jan. 18.............. at Glenrock Jan. 24............... at Douglas Jan. 25..................... Buffalo Jan. 28......................Gering Jan. 31................ Newcastle Feb. 7.................. at Rawlins Feb. 8..................Wheatland Feb. 14.................. Glenrock Feb. 15............... at Worland Feb. 21................... Douglas Feb. 22................. at Buffalo March 1........... at Newcastle March 6-8.3A East Regional at Torrington March 13-15........... 3A State Tourney at Casper

GIRLS BASKETBALL

12/06 12/07 12/13 12/14 12/17 12/20 01/10 01/11 01/17 01/18 01/31 02/01 02/07 02/08 02/11 02/14 02/21

@ Sedgwick County Banner County Creek Valley @ Paxton @ Leyton Caliche, CO Bayard @ South Platte Leyton @ Hay Springs @ Banner County Minatare Garden County Burns, WY @ Peetz, CO @ Pine Bluffs, WY @ Minatare

Larsen’s Jewelry Store

Central Garden & Pet Certified Public Accountants, P.C. 1555 11th Street • Gering, NE • 436-3473 www.eskamcpas.com

goal is to be playing our best basketball come Februar y and March.”

Schedule Dec. 6-7..... Kimball Tourney Dec. 13-14....Wright Tourney Dec. 20............... at Mitchell Jan. 4......................... Burns Jan. 10..................... at Lusk Jan. 14.at Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 17............ vs. Lingle-Ft. Laramie at EWC Jan. 18........... at Pine Bluffs Jan. 21..................... Bayard Jan. 24.................. Saratoga Jan. 25................. Moorcroft Jan. 31......................... Lusk Feb. 1...... Guernsey-Sunrise Feb. 7..................... at Burns Feb. 8................ at Saratoga Feb. 15.vs. Lovell at Casper Feb. 21............... Pine Bluffs Feb. 22............ vs. Lingle-Ft. Laramie at EWC Feb. 27-March 1...Regionals at Cheyenne March 6-8... State at Casper

Holechek Funeral Home

BOYS BASKETBALL 12/06 12/07 12/13 12/14 12/17 12/20 01/1 01/11 01/17 01/18 01/20-01/25 01/31 02/01 02/07 02/08 02/11 02/14 02/21

@ Sedgwick County Banner County Creek Valley @ Paxton @ Leyton Caliche, CO Bayard @ South Platte Leyton @ Hay Springs (To Be Determined) @ Banner County Minatare Garden County Burns, WY @ Peetz, CO @ Pine Bluffs, WY @ Minatare

Bemis Drug GEHRIG-STITT Monument & Funeral Planning LLC www.gehrigstittchapel.com

ORRINGTON TRAIL BLAZERS GIRLS BASKETBALL

Th. 12/05/13- 12/07/13 ...................Scottsbluff (Scottsbluff Invite) TBA Sat. 12/14/13 ..................................Chadron Public Schools 5:30PM Fri. 12/20/13- Sat. 12/21/13 ...........Lander Valley (Lander Classic) TBA Fri. 01/10/14 ....................................Rawlins 7:00PM Sat. 01/11/14 ..................................Wheatland 5:30PM Fri. 01/17/14 ...................................Worland 6:00PM Sat. 01/18/14 ..................................Glenrock 4:00PM Fri. 01/24/14 ....................................Douglas 5:30PM Sat. 01/25/14 ..................................Buffalo 3:00PM Tues 01/28/14 ................................Gering 5:30PM Fri. 01/31/14 ...................................Newcastle 5:30PM Fri. 02/07/14 ...................................Rawlins 7:00PM Sat. 02/08/14 ..................................Wheatland 5:30PM Fri. 02/14/14 ....................................Glenrock 7:00PM Sat. 02/15/14 ..................................Worland 2:30PM Fri. 02/21/14 ...................................Douglas 5:30PM Sat. 02/22/14 ..................................Buffalo 3:00PM Sat. 03/01/14 ..................................Newcastle 5:30PM Th. 03/06/14 - Sat. 03/08/14 ..........3 A East Regional Basketball Tournament TBA Th. 03/13/14 - Sat. 03/15/14 ..........State Basketball Tournament in Casper TBA

BOYS BASKETBALL

Th. 12/05/13 - Sat. 12/07/13 ..........Scottsbluff (Scottsbluff Invite) TBA

D & B Fine Furniture

WYOMING THEATRE 216 E. 20TH AVE, TORRINGTON

Wagner’s Floral

Sat. 12/14/13 ..................................Chadron Public Schools 7:00PM Fri. 12/20/13 - Sat. 12/21/13 ..........Douglas (Douglas Classic) TBA Fri. 01/10/14 ...................................Rawlins 7:00PM Sat. 01/11/14 ..................................Wheatland 7:00PM Fri. 01/17/14 ...................................Worland 7:30PM Sat. 01/18/14 ..................................Glenrock 4:00PM Fri. 01/24/14 ....................................Douglas 7:00PM Sat. 01/25/14 ..................................Buffalo 4:30PM Tues 01/28/14 ................................Gering 7:00PM Fri. 01/31/14 ...................................Newcastle 7:00PM Fri. 02/07/14 ....................................Rawlins 7:00PM Sat. 02/08/14 ..................................Wheatland 7:00PM Fri. 02/14/14 ...................................Glenrock 7:00PM Sat. 02/15/14 ..................................Worland 4:00PM Fri. 02/21/14 ...................................Douglas 7:00PM Sat. 02/22/14 ..................................Buffalo 4:30PM Sat. 03/01/14 ..................................Newcastle 7:00PM Th. 03/06/14 - Sat. 03/08/14 ..........3 A East Regional Basketball Tournament TBA Th. 03/13/14 - - Sat. 03/15/14 ........State Basketball Tournament in Casper TBA

WRESTLING

Sat. 12/07/13 ...................................Blazer Duals TBA Fri. 12/13/13 - Sat. 12/14/13 ..........Rapid City Central (Rapid City Invite)TBA Fri. 01/03/14 - Sat. 01/04/14 ...........Cheyenne Central 5:30PM Th. 01/09/14 ....................................Cheyenne Central 5:30PM Fri. 01/10/14 - Sat. 01/11/14 ...........Douglas (Douglas Invite) TBA Tues 01/21/14 .................................Douglas (Quad at Douglas) 3:00PM Tues 01/21/14 .................................Kelly Walsh (Quad at Douglas) 3:00PM

Tues 01/21/14 ........................... Wheatland (Quad at Douglas) 3:00PM Fri. 01/24/14 - Sat. 01/25/14 .... Lander Valley (Lander Valley Invite) TBA Th. 01/30/14 .............................. Gering 6:30PM Tues 02/04/14 .......................... Alliance 6:00PM Fri. 02/07/14 - Sat. 02/08/14 .... Riverton (Ron Thon Invitational) TBA Th. 02/13/14 ............................. Rawlins 5:00PM Fri. 02/21/14 - Sat. 02/22/14 .... Newcastle (Regional Tournament) TBA Fri. 02/28/14 - Sat. 03/01/14 ......State Wrestling Tournament in Casper TBA

Home Games in Bold

Winter Sports Preview

12 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Prep Girls Basketball Summaries Alliance Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Conference: Western Last year’s season record: 11-12 Head coach: Nate Lanik Assistant coach: Heidi Manion Years as Alliance’s head coach: Seventh Returning players: Rylee Trout, sr.; Caitlyn Tritle, sr.; Brianna Ridenour, sr.; Mickenzie Brennan, jr.; Kennedy Cyza, jr.; Emily Jensen, jr.

Other contributors: Ashley Trout, sr.; Josie Seidler, sr.; Tabby Unzicker, sr.; Hanna Swanson, jr.; Madi Reiber, so.; Maggie Otto, so.; Cayla Tritle, so.

Season goals: Win a district championship Team outlook: “[We’re] somewhat inexperienced in terms of varsity experience, but that could be to our advantage at times,” Coach Lanik said. “Other teams won’t know what to expect and may overlook the girls.”

Individual outlook: “I am excited to see what Mickenzie Brennan will be able to do this season,” Lanik said. “She was injured midway through her freshman campaign and then missed her entire sophomore year after tearing her ACL as a sophomore during volleyball.

Mickenzie was a starter as a freshman. Also, after a few practices, I am excited to see what Kennedy Cyza can do in terms of rebounding. Rylee Trout is an interesting story as well. She scored two points as a freshman and those were for the other team, and she will be a starter as a senior, and she was the sixth girl last season.”

Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/Gering Dec. 13.................................Gering Dec. 14............................at Bayard Dec. 19............................ at Sidney Jan. 2............................. Bridgeport Jan. 3.................................. Mitchell Jan. 10........................... Scottsbluff Jan. 11........................Sturgis, S.D. Jan. 14...............Gordon-Rushville Jan. 17.......................... at Chadron Jan. 18............. at Red Cloud, S.D. Jan. 24............................... Ogallala Jan. 31..............................at Gering Feb. 4................................ Chadron Feb. 7.........................at Scottsbluff Feb. 13-15.....East-West Shootout Feb. 21.................................Sidney

Banner County Nickname: Wildcats Class: D-2 Last year’s season record: 1-19 Conference: Minuteman Activities Last year’s conference record: 1-9 Sub-district: 11 Last year’s sub-district results: Banner County lost in the first round.

Head coach: Brittany Cooper Years as Banner County’s head coach: Fourth Overall coaching record: 26-39 Varsity assistant coach: Jessica Harvie Returning starters (5): Amanda Harrison, 5-3, sr., G; Dalle Rutledge, 5-5, sr., G; Ashlynne Hanan, 5-5, jr., F; Taylor Evans, 5-8, so., F; Paige Cross, 5-6, so., G/F Other returnees: Christina Grubbs, 5-6, jr., F; Shay White, 5-6, so., G; Danielle Flick, 5-8, so., F Top newcomers / transfers :

Savannah Jordan, 5-5, fr., G; Teresa Monsees, 5-6, fr., G/F; Mink Prachantasen, 5-8, sr., F; Allysa Matthews, 5-6, jr., G/F; Maegan Coffman, 5-5, sr., F Season outlook: “We’re looking to continue to build our young team,” Coach Cooper said. “We got a lot of good experience last year and improved by leaps and bounds. We have a bit more depth this year as well. We plan to keep developing our fundamentals and understanding of the game, as well as be more aggressive and smart in our play. If we continue to improve our shooting and decision-making, we could really surprise some teams.”

Team strengths: “Athletic, hard working, determined,” Cooper said.

Team goals: “Improve practice by practice, reduce turnovers, shoot a higher percentage, push the ball, hit the boards, play tenacious defense, and be aggressive,” Cooper said.

Last year’s highlights: “Getting our first win against Minatare in a hard-fought game,” Cooper said.

“Seeing the vast improvement from the start of the season to the end.”

Schedule Dec. 6....................Garden County Dec. 7......................... at Potter-Dix Dec. 10............................. Minatare Dec. 20.............................at Leyton Dec. 21.......................Creek Valley Jan. 3-4......Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 10....................at Hay Springs Jan. 11......................... Hemingford Jan. 13........................... at Hyannis Jan. 17..............................Crawford Jan. 18.......................... at Minatare Jan. 21-25.MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 31............................ Potter-Dix Feb. 1.................................at Morrill Feb. 7...................... at South Platte Feb. 8........................ Sioux County Feb. 11................................... Burns Feb. 14..........at Lingle-Ft. Laramie

Bayard Nickname: Tigers Class: C-2 Last year’s season record: 5-16 Conference: WTC Last year’s conference record/ placing: 2-4/tied for fifth Sub-district: 12 Head coach: Roger Russell Years as Bayard’s head coach: Third Overall coaching record: 204247 Varsity assistant coach: Jennifer Kriha Returning starters (4): Megan Stuart, sr., 5-9, F; Haley Sauer, sr., 5-8, F; Rachel Frerich, sr., 5-11, C; Kaylie Fiscus, so., 5-7, F Other returning letter winners: Chellani Parriott, jr., 5-7, F; Miah Vera, so., 5-6, G Top newcomers / transfers : Jessie Smith, so., 5-4, G; Mandi Cottrel, jr., 5-4, G Season outlook: “We will be more athletic and have better basketball skills,” Coach Russell said. “Experience of our returning players will be a strength, but we will have to develop depth from other underclass players.”

Team strengths: “Experience and leadership of our senior players,” Russell said. “Work ethic of the team is positive.”

Team goals: Have a winning season, place in the top four of the WTC, and compete for WTC and sub-district championships.

Other comments: Last season Stuart earned all-conference honors after averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds a game. Sauer averaged 4 points and 5 rebounds.

Frerich averaged 6 rebounds, and Fiscus averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds while earning honorable mention all-conference honors.

Schedule Dec. 6-7...................... Bayard Invite Dec. 13........................... Bridgeport Dec. 14................................Alliance Dec. 20.................... at Hay Springs Dec. 21.................................Kimball Jan. 4................................. Minatare Jan. 10......................... at Potter-Dix Jan. 11................Gordon-Rushville Jan. 14.................................... Morrill Jan. 17.......................... Hemingford Jan. 21..............at Southeast, Wyo. Jan. 24............................. at Mitchell Jan. 25...................................... Lusk Jan. 28...............Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 31........................ at Bridgeport Feb. 6-8.................... WTC Tourney Feb. 11...............................at Leyton Feb. 14......................Chase County

Bridgeport Nickname: Bulldogs Class: C-2 Last year’s season record: 10-13 Conferences: Western Trails; South Platte Valley Last year’s conference record/ placing in WTC: 2-4/fourth Sub-district: 12 Last year’s district placing: Second Head coach: Bryan Schluterbusch Years as Bridgeport’s head coach: 18th Overall coaching record: 244124 Varsity assistant coach: Andrea Mitchell Returning starters: 0 Returning letter winners: Kassidy Kildow, jr., 5-4, G; Cassidy Mitchell, jr., 5-6, G; Olga Aguilar, jr., 5-5, G/F; Megan Dudden, jr., 5-7, F; Brooke Harding, jr., 5-8, F Top newcomers/transfers: Lydia Cantu, so., 5-3, G; Jayden DeCora, so., 5-4, G; Alexis Corman, fr., 5-8, F; Ashley Weborg, fr., 5-8, F; Riley Hall, fr., 5-7, F; Karina Garza, jr., 5-6, F; Karsen Stull, fr., 5-6, G Season outlook: “We will be inexperienced,” Coach Schluterbusch said. “We will be a scrappy, tough defensive team.”

Team strengths: “Aggressiveness, defense, balanced offense,” Schluterbusch said.

Team goals: “Finish in the upper half in conference,” Schluterbusch said.

Last year’s highlights: Bridgeport

won the sub-district championship and placed third in the conference tournament.

Former athletes currently competing in college: Ashley Stevens, WNCC Schedule Dec. 6-7......................Bayard Invite Dec. 13.............................at Bayard Dec. 14..........................Sutherland Dec. 17..............at Garden County Dec. 20.....................at Hemingford Jan. 2.............................. at Alliance Jan. 2-3. Alliance Holiday Tourney Jan. 9..............................at Ogallala Jan. 11............................... Hershey Jan. 14.................................. Leyton Jan. 17.............................at Kimball Jan. 18.................................Mitchell Jan. 24..............................at Sidney Jan. 31..................................Bayard Feb. 1................................... Kimball Feb. 6-8....................WTC Tourney Feb. 13............................... at Morrill Feb. 14........... at Gordon-Rushville

Burns Nickname: Broncs Class: 2A Last year’s season record: 14-10 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference placing: Fourth Regional: East Head coach: Barry Ward Years as Burns’ head coach: 11th Overall coaching record: 236-110 Varsity assistant coaches: Dan Ebben, Alicia Noble Returning starters (6): Hailey Pyle, sr., 5-7, P; Chelsea Engel, sr., 5-7, P; McKayla Ward, jr., 5-3, PG; McKenzie Ward, jr., 5-3, G; Bri Bocox, jr., 5-5, S; Alex McCart, jr., 5-7, P Other returning letter winners: Cassady Malm, sr., 5-5, S; Rylee Anderson, sr., 5-4, G; Jessica Grass, sr., 5-7, P; Mardi O’Neal, jr., 5-4, G; Tamara McCart, jr., 5-7, P; Harley Steege, jr., 5-3, G; Jessica Malm, so., 5-3, PG Season outlook: “Lot of returners with experience,” Coach Ward said.

Team strengths: “Team speed and quickness,” Ward said.

Team goals: “Be playing our best basketball in February,” Ward said.

Former athletes currently competing in college: Bailey Ward, Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont.; Megan Marker, EWC Schedule Dec. 6-7.................... Lusk Tourney Dec. 13-14.............. Burns Tourney Dec. 19..............................Glenrock Dec. 20.................................Gering Jan. 4..........................at Southeast Jan. 10..............................Saratoga

Nickname: Cardinals Class: C-1 Last year’s season record: 23-4 Conference: Western Last year’s conference record/ placing: 5-0/First Sub-district: 12 Last year’s district results: Chadron won its sub-district tournament and then won the district final.

Last year’s state tournament: Chadron placed fourth.

Head coach: Curt Holmquist Years as Chadron’s head coach: 24th Holmquist’s overall coaching record: 295-191 Varsity assistant coach: Linda Rischling Returning starters (3): Ashlea Kerr, sr., 6-1, F/G; Peyton Hinn, sr., 5-8, G; Bailea Kerr, sr., 6-1, P Top newcomers/tranfers: Chandler Hageman, so., 5-10, F; Jayden Garrett, so., 5-4, G; Jayden McCartney, fr., 5-10, F; Cassie Hyatt, sr., 5-8, F; Maaryn Davis, sr., 5-6, G; Ashley Hills, jr., 5-8, G/F Season outlook: “With Ashlea, Bailea, and Peyton back with a ton of experience, and throw in the girls from a very successful JV season, we hope to continue the tradition of Lady Cardinal basketball,” Coach Holmquist said. “We’d like to improve throughout the season, develop team chemistry, and stay away from injuries, which could allow us to play deep into the postseason.”

Team strengths: “Three very veteran seniors, athleticism, and team speed,” Holmquist said. “All the girls seem to have great court sense.”

Team goals: “To contend for the conference, subdistrict, and district titles,” Holmquist said. “For that to happen, the team needs to develop a tough-nosed rebounding mentality that could lead to offensive putbacks and transition layups.”

Other comments: Last season Ashlea Kerr averaged 14 points

Crawford Nickname: Rams Head coach: Rick Barry Last year’s season record: 18-5 Last year’s district placing: Second Last year’s conference placing: Second Last year’s conference tourney placing: Second Returning starters: Lacie Lietka, 5-5, jr., PG; Megan Guest, 5-8, sr., F; Kaitlin Rudloff, 5-8, so., F Other returning letter winners and newcomers that might contribute this season: Haley Hanks, 5-6, jr., SG; Jessee Underwood, 5-8, jr., C; Sara Tweet, 5-3, jr., PG; Alli Kleinlein, 5-6, so., PG; Bryttnee Lemmon, 5-6, so., G; Kalen Nedella, 5-6, fr., G Season outlook: “ We may struggle replacing Rylee Hanks early, but we have a good group of young girls with some potential to fill the void,” Coach Barry said. “If this group works hard, we have a chance to be good in our area. ...

Our weakness will be height, and our strength will be speed.”

Other comments: Last season Rudloff averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.

Rudloff earned second-team

See GIRLS, page 13

BRAND JORDAN

Available At These Local Retailers:

With Physical Therapy, you’ll feel the difference.

PT, DPT, CLT Certified Lymphedema Therapist

Chadron

and 5.7 rebounds; Hinn averaged 12.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists; and Bailea Kerr averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds.

Last year’s highlights: “Qualifying for state and playing three games in Lincoln, [and] winning the conference regular season and tournament,” Holmquist said.

For mer athletes c urrently competing in college: Briley Hannaford, Morningside College Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/Gering Dec. 13...............Gordon-Rushville Dec. 14............................Torrington Dec. 16............... Hot Springs, S.D. Dec. 20.......................at Scottsbluff Dec. 21................................. Gering Jan. 2-4.Energy Classic at Gillette Jan. 11.............................at Mitchell Jan. 14...... St. Thomas More, S.D. Jan. 17................................ Alliance Jan. 24.............................. at Gering Jan. 25........... at Gordon-Rushville Jan. 31..............................at Sidney Feb. 1........................ Douglas, S.D. Feb. 4.............................. at Alliance Feb. 7.... at St. Thomas More, S.D. Feb. 8....................Red Cloud, S.D. Feb. 11..........................at Valentine Feb. 14.................................. Sidney Feb. 15.................... at Sturgis, S.D.

SPORTS VILLAGE

Good Luck to all Athletes Live well. Function better.

KATIE HAYS

Jan. 11...........at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 14................................ Mitchell Jan. 17................................. at Lusk Jan. 18.................................. Wright Jan. 24...........................Pine Bluffs Jan. 31..............Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 1....................................... Lusk Feb. 7..............................Southeast Feb. 8.......................... at Potter-Dix Feb. 11...............at Banner County Feb. 15..........................at Saratoga Feb. 22.......................at Pine Bluffs Feb. 27-March 1............Regionals March 6-8..............State at Casper

SPORTS VILLAGE ATHLETES EDGE

308.633.2900

214 West 27TH Street, Scottsbluff www.elitept-scottsbluff.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Home Meets Listed in Bold

BOYS BASKETBALL

12/05/13 ................................. Chase County/Bridgeport 12/19/13 ............................................................ Hershey 12/21-12/21 .....................................(To Be Determined) 01/11-01/11 .....................................(To Be Determined) 01/18-01/18 .....................................(To Be Determined) 01/25-01/25 .....................................(To Be Determined) 01/31-01/31 .....................................(To Be Determined) 02/01-02/01 .....................................(To Be Determined) 02/08-02/08 .....................................(To Be Determined)

12/06/13 .............................................. @ Banner County 12/07/13 ................................... @ Sedgwick County, CO 12/13/13 ............................................... Morrill 12/14/13 .......................................................@ Crawford 12/17/13 ...........................................Bridgeport 01/04/14 ..............................................Hyannis 01/10/14 ...................................................@ Hemingford 01/14/14 .............................................Minatare 01/18/14 ................................. Wauneta-Palisade 01/30/14 .................................................. @ South Platte 01/31/14 ........................................ Creek Valley 02/06/14 ....................................... Arthur County 02/07/14 ..................................................... @ Potter-Dix 02/14/14 .........................................Hay Springs 02/21/14 ............................................... Leyton

VALLEY TIRE & SERVICE LLC

Holechek Funeral Home

WRESTLING

12/06/13 ..................................................... @ Banner County 12/07/13 ..........................................@ Sedgwick County, CO 12/13/13 .................................................... Morrill 12/14/13 .............................................................. @ Crawford 12/17/13 ............................................... Bridgeport 01/04/14 .................................................. Hyannis 01/10/14 ..........................................................@ Hemingford 01/14/14 ................................................. Minatare 01/18/14 ......................................Wauneta-Palisade 01/21-01/25................................(To Be Determined) 01/30/14 ......................................................... @ South Platte 01/31/14 .............................................Creek Valley 02/06/14 ............................................Arthur County 02/07/14 .............................................................@ Potter-Dix 02/13/14 .................................................................. @ Leyton 02/14/14 ............................................. Hay Springs

ADAMS BANK & TRUST

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 13

Prep Girls Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 12 all-conference honors, and Lietka was named all-conference honorable mention.

Schedule Dec. 5....................at Sioux County Dec. 10......................... Hemingford Dec. 12........................ Hay Springs Dec. 14...................Garden County Dec. 17.......................... at Minatare Dec. 19............................... Hyannis Dec. 27-28.............Chadron Rotary Tourney Jan. 3-4.......Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 10...................Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 17................ at Banner County Jan. 20-25..............PAC Tourney at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 31.................................... Morrill Feb. 1.................................at Leyton Feb. 7..........................Cody-Kilgore Feb. 8.............at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 11....................... Sioux County Feb. 13..................... at Hay Springs

games.”

Returning starters: Baily Davis, G/P, 5-9, sr.; Ashlyn Jenkins, G, 5-1, sr.; Alicia Ehrlich, G, 5-2, sr.

Other returning letter winners: Kendra Johnson, G, 5-6, jr.; Courtney Leach, P, 5-10, jr.; Courtney Stegman, G, 5-6, so.; Anna McLaughlin, P, 5-9, so.

Schedule Dec. 6.................at Banner County Dec. 7.at Sedgwick County, Colo.

Dec. 13...................................Morrill Dec. 14.........................at Crawford Dec. 17...........................Bridgeport Jan. 4..................................Hyannis Jan. 10......................at Hemingford Jan. 14...............................Minatare Jan. 18..............Wauneta-Palisade Jan. 21-25.MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 30.....................at South Platte Jan. 31........................ Creek Valley Feb. 6........................Arthur County Feb. 7...........................at Potter-Dix Feb. 13.............................. at Leyton Feb. 14.........................Hay Springs

Gering

Creek Valley Nickname: Storm Class: D-1 Schedule Dec. 6................................. Hyannis Dec. 7.............................at Maxwell Dec. 13........................ at Potter-Dix Dec. 14..................... Caliche, Colo.

Dec. 20....Sedgwick County, Colo.

Dec. 21............... at Banner County Jan. 3.....................at Haxtun, Colo.

Jan. 7............................Peetz, Colo.

Jan. 11........................... at Minatare Jan. 16.............................. at Paxton Jan. 21-25.MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 30....................... at Sutherland Jan. 31................at Garden County Feb. 7.................................at Leyton Feb. 11....................Perkins County Feb. 14......................... South Platte

Garden County Nickname: Eagles Last year’s season record: 8-15 Conference: MAC Last year’s conference placing: Fourth Head coach: Lana Swafford Years as Garden County’s head coach: Second Assistant coach: Missy Quinn Season outlook: “The challenge we face this year is numbers,” Coach Swafford said. “We struggle getting girls to come out for basketball. Hopefully, we can get the numbers we need to have meaningful practices and play full JV games. We still need a lot of work on fundamentals and game knowledge even though all the players improved tremendously last year. Our focus will be consistency. Last year we really had a hard time coming out strong, staying strong, and finishing strong.

At times we would let teams get a jump on us and have to fight to get back in it. Other times we would start strong and mentally shut down halfway through the game. It cost us games that we should have won. I look forward to working with these girls again this year. We have some returning upper and under classmen who worked hard all summer, and I’m ready to see it all come together [this season]. We continue to keep improving, so I’m anxious to see what the season brings. Our conference will be tough again this year, especially Leyton and Creek Valley. However, if we can consistently play at our potential, it should make for some competitive

Nickname: Bulldogs Class: B Last year’s season record: 12-12 Head coach: Adam Freeburg Years as Gering’s head coach: Fourth District: 6 Last year’s district tournament: Gering placed second, losing to McCook in the final.

Conference: Western Last year’s conference placing: Third R e t u r n i n g s t a r te r s : K at i e O’Boyle, 5-11, sr., P Other returning co ntributors: Danyele Ysac, 5-9, sr., P; Savannah Walker, 5-9, sr., G; Kayla Todd, 5-10, sr., P; Kaylee Spreier, 6-0, jr., P; Allie Vacha, 5-8, jr., G; Ashlyn Schultz, 5-4, jr., G; Sam Rahmig, 5-8, jr., G; Dakota Wademan Newcomers who might contribute: Toni Rosado, 5-10, sr., P Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/Gering Dec. 12............................at Mitchell Dec. 13........................... at Alliance Dec. 17.......................... Wheatland Dec. 20...............................at Burns Dec. 21..........................at Chadron Jan. 2-4...............Cabela’s Holiday Shootout at Sidney Jan. 10..............................at Sidney Jan. 14........................at Scottsbluff Jan. 16................... Cheyenne East Jan. 18............Casper Kelly Walsh Jan. 24...............................Chadron Jan. 28........................ at Torrington Jan. 31................................ Alliance Feb. 4..................................Ogallala Feb. 7.................................... Sidney Feb. 13-15..... East-West Shootout Feb. 21...........................Scottsbluff

Gordon-Rushville Nickname: Mustangs Last year’s season record: 9-12 Conference: WTC Last year’s conference record/ placing: 7-4/third Last year’s conference tourney placing: Fourth Head coach: Randy Hurlburt Years as Gordon-Rushville’s head coach: Seventh Hurlburt’s coaching record at Gordon-Rushville: 74-55 Returning letter winners and newcomers who might contribute: Dani Campbell, 6-1, sr.; Hali Sahr, 5-7; Denie Jacobson, 5-9, jr.; Ashton Sasse, 5-7, so.

Season outlook: “Our season will depend on how well our players

Home Games Are Bold

WRESTLING 12/06 @ Gothenburg 12/07 12/14 12/19/13 12/19/13 12/21 01/09 01/11 01/16 01/18 01/23 01/25 02/01 02/07

(To Be Determined) (To Be Determined) Hershey Garden County (To Be Determined) (To Be Determined) (To Be Determined) @ Bridgeport (To Be Determined) @ Sedgwick County, CO (To Be Determined) (To Be Determined) Gering

come together as a team,” Coach Hurlburt said. “We have returning talent and incoming talent that could cause problems for other teams. For the most part, we will be smaller than we have in the past, but we will have a lot of speed. It could be a fun season.”

Schedule Dec. 6.......................at Hemingford Dec. 13.......................... at Chadron Dec. 14........................ at Ainsworth Dec. 17........................... at Hyannis Dec. 20........ Bennett County, S.D. Dec. 21..............................at Mullen Jan. 2-3..Alliance Holiday Tourney Jan. 10......................... at Valentine Jan. 11.............................. at Bayard Jan. 14............................at Alliance Jan. 17........................ Hay Springs Jan. 18.............................at Kimball Jan. 24.......................Cody-Kilgore Jan. 25...............................Chadron Jan. 31................................ Mitchell Feb. 6-8................... WTC Tourney Feb. 14........................... Bridgeport Feb. 15...............................at Morrill

Guernsey-Sunrise Nickname: Vikings Class: 1A Last year’s season record: 1-19 Regional: Southeast Head coach: Troy Reichert Years coaching at Guernsey-Sunrise: First with girls team; fifth overall Varsity assistant coach: Shawna Reichert Returning starters (5): Bailey Prewitt, sr., 5-6, G/F; Katelyn Hernandez, jr., 5-6, G; Alex Carr, jr., 5-4, G; Katie Scherger, so., 5-9, G/F; Shea Leach, so., 5-8, F Season outlook: “We have a lot to work on and improve in a very short amount of time,” Coach Reichert said. “Things could be ugly early, but we hope to have things ironed out by February and be a competitive team at regionals.”

Team strengths: “Everybody got a full year of experience under their belt last year,” Reichert said.

“We have some quickness. The girls are showing a good work ethic and a big desire to learn and improve.”

Team goals: “Improve in every single statistical category from a year ago,” Reichert said.

Schedule Dec. 6-7...................Upton Tourney Dec. 14......................Sioux County Dec. 16......................at Rock River Dec. 20...............................Midwest Jan. 10....................................Morrill Jan. 11.............................. at Hanna Jan. 14............................ Southeast Jan. 17....................... at Pine Bluffs Jan. 18........................... at Midwest Jan. 23...............Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 25.............................at Kaycee Feb. 1.......................... at Southeast Feb. 8..................................at Hulett Feb. 11......................................Lusk Feb. 14...................at Sioux County Feb. 15.................................. Hanna Feb. 21......... at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 27-March 1........ Regionals at Douglas March 6-8.............. State at Casper

Hay Springs Nickname: Hawks Head coach: Jason Badje Years as Hay Springs’ head coach: Fourth Coaching record at Hay Springs: 18-28 Last year’s season record: 7-14 Last year’s conference placing: Fourth Last year’s conference tourna-

ment placing: Fifth Returning starters: Steph Tlustos, 5-5, sr., G; Whitney Heiting, 5-6, jr., G; Kate Roberts, 5-10, F Other returning letter winners and newcomers who might contribute: Cydney Jancik, 5-6, jr., G; Jen Scherbarth, 5-6, jr., G Season outlook: “Losing four seniors will make us light on floor experience,” Coach Badje said.

“However, the girls stepping up into these places are highly coachable with an excellent work ethic.

Good talent and speed will also account for this season’s success.

Five incoming freshmen will help round out the young Lady Hawks team with some needed forward play. Expect a very competitive squad with some new and exciting leadership on the floor.”

Other comments: Last season Tlustos earned all-conference honors as well as second-team all-state honors after averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds a game.

Schedule Dec. 6.........................Cody-Kilgore Dec. 7................... at Arthur County Dec. 12..........................at Crawford Dec. 14..............................at Mullen Dec. 17................................... Morrill Dec. 20................................. Bayard Dec. 27-28......... Arapahoe Holiday Tourney Jan. 10.................... Banner County Jan. 11...................................Leyton Jan. 16....................at Cody-Kilgore Jan. 17............at Gordon-Rushville Jan. 18............................. Potter-Dix Jan. 20-25..............PAC Tourney at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 28......................at Hemingford Jan. 31...................at Sioux County Feb. 4.................................. Hyannis Feb. 6............. at Little Wound, S.D. Feb. 8.................at Edgemont, S.D. Feb. 13...............................Crawford Feb. 14................at Garden County

Hemingford Nickname: Bobcats Class: D-1 Last year’s season record: 14-8 Conferences: Panhandle; Western Trails Sub-district: 12 Last year’s district results: Hemingford lost to Bridgeport in the sub-district finals Head coach: Dave Chatelain Years as Hemingford’s head coach: Eighth Varsity assistant coaches: Lisa Janssen, Steve Morava Returning starters (2): Kaitlyn Bergfield, sr., 5-6, F; Cali Rohrbouck, sr., 5-10, F Other returning letter winners: Precious Campbell, sr., 5-4, G; Paige Phillips, sr., 5-8, F; Ashley Galles, jr., 5-7, G; Christian Rozmiarek, jr., 5-6, G Top newcomers/transfers: Hannah Fessler, jr., 5-6, G; Makayla Grumbles, jr., 5-6, G; Natalie Gasseling, fr., 5-11, G; Emily Hansen, fr., 5-11, F; Faith Rohrbouck, fr., 5-8, G; Brooke Turek, fr., 5-8, G Season outlook: “We are excited about our season,” Coach Chatelain said. “There is a nice mix of experience, size, and young athletic newcomers on this year.”

Team strengths: “More size than most Hemingford teams in the past few years,” Chatelain said.

“Our skill level has also improved.”

Team goals: “We believe that we can challenge for both of our conference championships, and we believe that our sub-district is a realistic goal as well,” Chatelain said.

Last year’s highlights: “Our 2012-

GIRLS BASKETBALL 12/05-12/07 (To Be Determined) 12/13 12/19 01/02-01/04 01/09 01/10 01/11 01/17 01/18 01/24 01/25 01/31 02/01 02/04 02/07 02/08 02/14 02/15 02/21

Chase County Alliance (To Be Determined) Kimball Gering @ McCook @ Ogallala Lexington Bridgeport Scottsbluff Chadron Hershey @ Perkins County @ Gering @ Scottsbluff @ Chadron Mitchell @ Alliance

13 team exceeded projections by playing well together and never giving up,” Chatelain said.

Former athletes currently competing in college: Kelsy Wood, CSC track and field Schedule Dec. 6.................Gordon-Rushville Dec. 7............................. at Hyannis Dec. 10..........................at Crawford Dec. 14................................ Mitchell Dec. 20........................... Bridgeport Dec. 21..............................at Leyton Dec. 27-28........... Chadron Holiday Tourney Jan. 10....................Garden County Jan. 11................ at Banner County Jan. 17.............................. at Bayard Jan. 18....................... Sioux County Jan. 20-25.Panhandle Conference Tourney at Edgemont Jan. 28......................... Hay Springs Feb. 1.......................... at Edgemont Feb. 4............................. at Minatare Feb. 6-8.................... WTC Tourney Feb. 11................................at Morrill Feb. 14..............................at Kimball

Hyannis Nickname: Longhorns Class: D-2 Last year’s season record: 8-9 District: 10 Head coach: Chris Kraus Years as Hyannis’ head coach: 41st Varsity assistant coach: Bobbie Zimmerman Returning starters: Savanna Jamison, P, 5-10, sr.; Hannah Haney, W, 5-7, sr.; Shontel Roseberry, P, 5-8, sr.; Brandi Schaack, G, 5-7, jr.

Other returning letter winners: Sierra Rediger, G, 5-5, so.; Kaitlyn Ramsay, G, 5-3, jr.; Caitlen Evans, G, 5-5, so.; Chelsea Nollette, P, 5-10, sr.; Frannie Young, P, 5-8, sr.

Season outlook: “We have the potential to be a good team,” Coach Kraus said. “A big key for our girls is to get some confidence early in our season. I feel that our ability to hit our outside shots will also add to our confidence. We also need to work on our quickness as a team.”

Other comments: Last season Jamison averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds. ... Young was hurt last season.

Schedule Dec. 6.....................at Creek Valley Dec. 7.......................... Hemingford Dec. 13.................................Mullen Dec. 17..............Gordon-Rushville Dec. 19........................ at Crawford Jan. 3....................... Arthur County Jan. 4.................at Garden County Jan. 10........................ South Platte Jan. 13................... Banner County Jan. 17.......................Cody-Kilgore Jan. 23........ at Sandhills/Thedford Jan. 24.................at Arthur County Jan. 27-31.. Sandhills Conference Tourney at Hyannis Feb. 4......................at Hay Springs Feb. 6...................................at SMC Feb. 7..................................... Brady Feb. 14..............................at Mullen Feb. 15.......................... at Minatare

Kimball Nickname: Longhorns Class: C-2 Last year’s season record: 14-6 Conferences: Western Trails and South Platte Valley Association Last year’s conference placings: First in regular season standings, second in tournament Head coach: Chauncey Pedersen Years as Kimball’s head coach:

First Assistant coach: Tiffany Johnson Returning starters: Shelby Vogel, 5-9, G/F, sr.; Jessica Hanks, 5-7, G/F, jr.; Danika Daum, 5-11, G/F, so.

Returning letter winners: Brooke Hager, 5-5, G, sr.; Kelly Green, 5-8, G, sr.; Brianna Jones, 5-9, F, sr.; Laura Flores, 5-4, G, sr.; Arica McCloud, 5-6, G, so.; Madison Biesecker, 5-7, G, so.

Season outlook: “Not only do we drop to C-2 this year, but we will also be joining the South Platte Valley Association Conference and playing in that tournament for the first year,” Coach Pedersen said. “Our girls are looking forward to the challenge and the different competition.

“We have three starters back and a lot of others with experience. It should be fun to watch how this team jells together and looks for their own identity. We also have a great group of seniors that work really hard and have some very high goals and expectations along with some underclassmen that will be expected to step up and contribute.

“I believe our top three players will be three of the best players in the Panhandle. Shelby Vogel is a great defensive player and scores a lot of points in transition off of steals. Danika Daum came on very strong at the end of her freshman year last year, and I am really looking forward to her stepping up this year as a sophomore.

At 5-11, she is capable of playing anywhere on the floor, including point guard, and is also a scoring threat both inside and out. Jessica Hanks has been a two-year starter and can also play anywhere on the floor and is a strong inside player although she is only 5-7.

“I believe Dundy County Stratton will be the only thing that may stand in our way at the end of the year to keep us from being Lincoln bound.”

Other comments: Last season Vogel averaged 9.8 points and 5 rebounds per game. Hanks averaged 4.6 points and 2.9 rebounds, and Daum averaged 7.3 points and 6 rebounds.

Schedule Dec. 6-7.................Kimball Tourney Dec. 13...............at Perkins County Dec. 14................................... Morrill Dec. 20...............................Hershey Dec. 21............................. at Bayard Jan. 7................................... Mitchell Jan. 9................................ at Sidney Jan. 10........................at Pine Bluffs Jan. 17............................ Bridgeport Jan. 18................Gordon-Rushville Jan. 20-25.SPVA Tourney at North Platte Jan. 28............................. at Mitchell Jan. 31............................Pine Bluffs Feb. 1.......................... at Bridgeport Feb. 6-8.................... WTC Tourney Feb. 14.......................... Hemingford Feb. 15....................... at Sutherland

Leyton Nickname: Warriors Last year’s season record: 10-12 Last year’s conference placing: Third Last year’s conference tournament placing: Second Head coach: Nick Newkirk Years as Leyton’s head coach: First Assistant coach: Jennifer Hellie Returning starters: Katy Ernest,

See GIRLS, page 14

BOYS BASKETBALL

12/05-12/07 (To Be Determined) 12/13 Chase County 12/19 Alliance 01/02-01/04 (To Be Determined) 01/09 Kimball 01/10 Gering 01/11 @ McCook 01/17/ @ Ogallala 01/18 Lexington 01/24 Bridgeport 01/25 @ Sterling, CO 01/31 Chadron 02/01 @ Scottsbluff 02/04 @ Perkins County 02/07 @ Gering 02/08 Scottsbluff 02/14 @ Chadron 02/15 Mitchell 02/21 @ Alliance

Adams Bank and Trust

Deaver Tire Co.

Holechek Funeral Home

Stitt Monument & Funeral Planning LLC

Pennington Seed

arby’s

www.gehrigstittchapel.com

Winter Sports Preview

14 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Prep Girls Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 13 5-9, sr.; Kelsey Waite, 5-11, sr.; Kaitlyn Berner, 5-7, jr.

Other returning letter winners: Carly Rushman, 5-5, sr.; Emily Gill, 5-11, sr.; Dani McKay, 5-7, jr.; Diedra Waite, 5-10, so.; Jessica Houk, 5-5, so.

Season outlook: “I am really looking forward to the upcoming basketball season,” Coach Newkirk said. “This is my first coaching job. Coming from northeast Nebraska, I will be getting familiar with the talent and schools out here in western Nebraska. I will be working with a great group of girls this year. They are talented and represent the school and communities of Gurley and Dalton in a great way. We are one! We want to be fundamentally sound in all areas of the game. We will continue to grow and improve as a team throughout the year. I am expecting great things out of this group. Seniors Kelsey Waite, Carly Rushman, Katy Ernest, and Emily Gill will be the leaders on this team. We will be as good as the leadership on our team takes us.”

Other comments: Last season Katy Ernest earned all-conference honorable mention honors after averaging 5.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Berner averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds, and Waite averaged 3.7 points and 6.1 rebounds.

WRESTLING 12/06-12/06 . .

12/14-12/14 . .

12/21-12/21 . .

01/11-01/11 . .

01/18-01/18 . .

01/24-01/25 . .

02/08-02/08 . .

Schedule Dec. 6-7.................Bayard Tourney Dec. 10...............................at Peetz Dec. 13....................at South Platte Dec. 17............................Potter-Dix Dec. 20...................Banner County Dec. 21.........................Hemingford Jan. 11.....................at Hay Springs Jan. 14........................at Bridgeport Jan. 17.........................at Potter-Dix Jan. 20-25................ MAC Tourney Jan. 31...........................at Minatare Feb. 1................................ Crawford Feb. 4................. Sedgwick County Feb. 7.......................... Creek Valley Feb. 8......................... at Pine Bluffs Feb. 11..................................Bayard Feb. 13................... Garden County Feb. 17-20.................. Sub-districts Feb. 21..............at Garden County Feb. 28.......................District finals

Lingle-Ft. Laramie Nickname: Doggers Last year’s season record: 24-3 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference placing: Tie for first place Last year’s conference tournament placing: First Head coach: Matthew Cornelius Years as Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s head coach: Third Coaching record at Lingle-Ft. Laramie: 53-28 Returning starters: Kaylee Greenwald, 5-9, sr.; Alex Sutherland, sr.; Kylah Meyer, 6-1, sr.

Other returning letter winners and newcomers who might contribute: Gabrielle Wollert, jr., 5-9;

Shaylee Rickard, sr., 5-7; Kaylee Seeds, 5-6 Season outlook: “We lost a few key players last year, but also have some good players coming back for the upcoming season,” Coach Cornelius said. “A year ago we ended just a little short in the last game, but are using that as motivation and hope to make a good showing ni the new season.”

Other comments: Last season Greenwald and Meyer earned all-state honors, and Sutherland earned 1A East all-conference honors.

Schedule Dec. 6-7.................Bayard Tourney Dec. 13-14....Burns Winter Classic Dec. 20...................... at Pine Bluffs Dec. 21.....................................Lusk Jan. 10...................at Sioux County Jan. 11....................................Burns Jan. 17........vs. Southeast at EWC Jan. 18.......................at Rock River Jan. 23.......... at Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 28..............................at Bayard Jan. 31................................at Burns Feb. 1..............................Pine Bluffs Feb. 7....................................at Lusk Feb. 8................................ Crawford Feb. 14....................Banner County Feb. 15.............................at Kaycee Feb. 21............. Guernsey-Sunrise Feb. 22.......vs. Southeast at EWC Feb. 27-29...Regionals at Douglas March 6-8.............. State at Casper

Minatare Nickname: Indians Class: D-2

Crawford Invite Banner county Invite Harrisburg Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament Garden County Invite Oshkosh Chase County Invitational Imperial Chadron Invite Southeast Duals Yoder, Wyo

BOYS BASKETBALL 12/06/13. . . . . South Platte 12/10/13. . . . . @ Banner County 12/13/13. . . . . Sioux County 12/17/13. . . . . Crawford 12/20/13. . . . . @ Arthur County 01/11/14 . . . . . Creek Valley 01/14/14. . . . . @ Garden County 01/17/14. . . . . @ Morrill 01/18/14. . . . . Banner County 01/20-01/25 . . MAC Conference Tournament Sidney 01/28/14. . . . . @ Oelrichs, SD 01/31/14. . . . . Leyton 02/01/14. . . . . @ Potter-Dix

BOYS BASKETBALL

12/06 12/07 12/14 12/20 12/21 01/10 01/11 01/17 01/18 01/28 02/01 02/04 02/11 02/14 02/21

12/05/13 12/05/13 12/06-12/06 12/14-12/14 12/21-12/21 01/09-01/09

Gordon-Rushville @ Hyannis Mitchell Bridgeport @ Leyton Garden County @ Banner County @ Bayard Sioux County Hay Springs @ Edgemont, SD @ Minatare @ Morrill @ Kimball Crawford

02/04/14. . . . .

02/07/14. . . . .

02/15/14. . . . .

02/21/14. . . . .

12/13 12/14 12/17 12/20 12/21 01/10 01/14 01/17 01/31 02/01 02/11 02/13 02/15

01/11-01/11 01/16 01/24-01/25 02/01-02/01 02/08-02/08

@ Garden County @ Kimball @ Hay Springs Edgemont, SD @ Mitchell @ Guernsey-Sunrise, WY @ Bayard Minatare @ Crawford Banner County Hemingford Bridgeport Gordon-Rushville

See GIRLS, page 15

Jolliffe Funeral Home Chimney Rock Public Power District Your Touchstone Energy Partner

RUSSELL’S EXCAVATION

Mitchell • Torrington

Morrill Hardware Garden County Invite Kimball Quad Lingle Invitational Mitchell Invite Southeast Duals

Platte Valley Bank www.pvbankne.com

Mitchell Nickname: Tigers Class: C-1 Last year’s season record: 12-11 Conference: Western and Western Trails Last year’s conference placings: Seventh in Western; Second in WTC Sub-district: 12 Last year’s sub-district tournament placing: Third Head coach: Brock Ehler Yeas as Mitchell’s head coach: Second Overall coaching record: 12-11 Varsity assistant coaches: Marty Gillen, Rod Ehler Returning starters (2): Taylor Peters, sr., 5-3, G; Kady Lower, jr., 5-10, F/P Other returning letter winners: Aspen Reifschneider, jr., 5-5, G; McKenna Zulkoski, jr., 5-6, G; Felina Blanco, jr., 5-4, F

Top newcomers/transfers: Barbara Pieper, jr., 6-0, P; Celeste Cardona, fr., 5-7, G Season outlook: “We will look to be competitive this year in both of our conferences,” Coach Brock Ehler said. “We start the season playing many larger schools who will challenge us. If the girls play together, stay healthy, and continue working hard throughout the season, we will have a chance to be successful.”

Te a m s t r e n g t h s : “ S p e e d , strength, and fundamentals,” Ehler said.

Team goals: “Win Western Trails Conference, and compete hard for 32 minutes each game,” Ehler said.

Last year’s highlights: Winning the WTC Tournament at WNCC and posting its first winning season in more than eight years.

For mer athletes c urrently competing in college: Havannah Newens, Chadron State women’s basketball Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney Dec. 12.................................Gering Dec. 14....................at Hemingford Dec. 20...........................Southeast Dec. 21...................................Morrill Jan. 2-3. Alliance Holiday Tourney Jan. 3.............................. at Alliance Jan. 7...............................at Kimball Jan. 11...............................Chadron Jan. 14................................at Burns

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Home Games Listed In Bold

A Platte Valley Company

Dec. 17............................. Crawford Dec. 20.................at Arthur County Jan. 4................................at Bayard Jan. 11........................ Creek Valley Jan. 14...............at Garden County Jan. 17............................... at Morrill Jan. 18....................Banner County Jan. 21-25.MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 28..................at Oelrichs, S.D. Jan. 31.................................. Leyton Feb. 1...........................at Potter-Dix Feb. 4............................Hemingford Feb. 7.....................at Sioux County Feb. 15................................Hyannis

Hemingford @ Sioux County Hyannis Potter-Dix

GIRLS BASKETBALL 12/06/13. . . . . South Platte 12/10/13. . . . . @ Banner County 12/13/13. . . . . Sioux County 12/17/13. . . . . Crawford 12/20/13. . . . . @ Arthur County 01/04/14. . . . . @ Bayard 01/11/14 . . . . . Creek Valley 01/14/14. . . . . @ Garden County 01/17/14. . . . . @ Morrill 01/18/14. . . . . Banner County 01/21-01/25 . . MAC Conference Tournament Sidney 01/28/14. . . . . @ Oelrichs, SD 01/31/14. . . . . Leyton 02/01/14. . . . . @ Potter-Dix 02/04/14. . . . . Hemingford 02/07/14. . . . . @ Sioux County 02/15/14. . . . . Hyannis

WRESTLING

Kimball Triangular Mitchell Triangular Crawford Invite Banner County Invite Sutherland Invitational WTC Tournament

Last year’s season record: 1-15 Conference: MAC Sub-district: 11 Head coach: Matt Korkow Years as Minatare’s head coach: First Varsity assistant coaches: Laura McAllister, Kyle Cotton, JJ Ozuna Returning starters (5): Angelica Longoria, jr., SG, PG; Kaitlin Craig, jr., C; Tristen Wecker, jr., F; Briana Regester, jr., F; Jazmin Martinez, jr., G Top newcomers/transfers: Franki Doty, fr., PG, SG; Destiny Craig, fr., PG/SG; Amber McNees, fr., C Season outlook: “This is going to be a growing season for us – new coach with a new system for the girls to understand and incorporate out on the court,” Coach Korkow said. “We will have our ups and downs throughout the course of the year with us being a young team. For us to become a better basketball team, we will need to put aside our differences and start working and playing together as a team. For us to become successful at the high school level, we will need to find consistency.”

Team goals: “Our biggest goal for the year is for the girls to put aside their differences and become a team on and off the court,” Korkow said. “To become a team that reaches .500 on th year.”

Schedule Dec. 6..........................South Platte Dec. 10...............at Banner County Dec. 13......................Sioux County

Member FDIC

(308) 623-1799 • 1303 Broadway,Mitchell www.lashleyautosales.com

Western Trails Chiropractic Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy

Deaver Tire Co.

Winter Sports Preview

Star-Herald

Thursday, December 5, 2013 15

Prep Girls Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 14 Jan. 18........................at Bridgeport Jan. 24..................................Bayard Jan. 25....................... at Pine Bluffs Jan. 28................................. Kimball Jan. 31........... at Gordon-Rushville Feb. 6-8....................WTC Tourney Feb. 14................................Ogallala Feb. 15..............................at Sidney

Morrill Nickname: Lions Class: D-1 Last year’s season record: 5-13 Conference: Western Trails Last year’s conference placing: Sixth Sub-district: 12 Head coach: Josh Guerue Years as Morrill’s head coach: First Varsity assistant coaches: Tom Peacock, Anne Jacobson Returning starters (2): Megan Fish, sr., 5-7, G; Dylainee Peacock, sr., 5-10, P Other returning letter winners: Madie Schafer, sr., 5-7, F; Sabrina Austin, sr., 5-5, G Top newcomers/transfers: Kiley Guerue, sr., 5-9, G/F; Jessica Harvey, fr., 5-7, PG Season outlook: “I have been

pleasantly surprised at how much we have in at this point,” Coach Guerue said. “However, the girls will still be learning the system early in the season. As we get more experience and the girls learn to play the fast pace style, we should be very competitive. Our focus is to be playing our best basketball in February and March. We feel like we can play with everyone on our schedule.”

Team strengths: “Our speed and aggressiveness will be something that will make us a difficult task for most teams,” Guerue said. “We are very deep this year and will expect a big impact from our bench players. The girls have really bought into the program and have been working extremely hard. This will enable them to lean on each other through the ups and downs of the season. We are blessed with great leadership on this team and will expect to have several floor generals when we take the court.”

Team goals: “Play hard every minute of every game for each other, resulting in a district title,” Guerue said.

Other comments: Kiley Guerue is a transfer from Scottsbluff High School.

Schedule Dec. 6-7................ Kimball Tourney Dec. 13..............at Garden County Dec. 14............................at Kimball Dec. 17....................at Hay Springs Dec. 20..................Edgemont, S.D. Dec. 21............................at Mitchell Jan. 3-4.......Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 10.......... at Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 14..............................at Bayard Jan. 17...............................Minatare Jan. 20-25.............PAC Tourney at Edgemont Jan. 31..........................at Crawford Feb. 1......................Banner County Feb. 6-8....................WTC Tourney Feb. 11..........................Hemingford Feb. 13............................Bridgeport Feb. 15................Gordon-Rushville

Niobrara County Nickname: Tigers Class: 2A Last year’s season record: 16-9 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference placing: Third Head coach: Deb Murray Years as Niobrara County’s head coach: 23rd Assistant coaches: Lacey Hauf, Tandy Dockery Returning starters (2): Kassidy

Miller, 5-11, sr., P; Hailey Bruegger, 5-7, sr., G Other returning letter winners: Amy Bergstrom, 5-1, sr., G; Kaci Jo Skrukrud, 5-6, sr., G/P; Jessica Bruegger, 5-7, sr., G/P; Abbey Larson, 5-11, jr., P; Lexie Dockery, 5-3, so., G; Lexi Blackburn, 5-2, so., G Team strengths: “Defense, decent quickness and speed, improved low post presence and returning varsity experience,” Coach Murray said.

Season outlook: “Tongue River is the best team in the east until someone knocks them off,” Murray said. “After that, there are a lot of teams that will be very competitive and have a chance to qualify for state, including Lusk. Hopefully, we can build on our record from last year and the experience of being competitive with some of the best teams in the class.”

Other comments: Last season Hailey Bruegger was named all-conference after averaging 6.04 points and 3.08 rebounds per game. Miller averaged 3.52 points and 4.92 rebounds.

Schedule Dec. 6-7.................Tiger Jamboree Dec. 10............. Guernsey-Sunrise Dec. 13-14.......... Herder Classic at Glenrock

Dec. 21......... at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 4..............................Newcastle Jan. 10............................ Southeast Jan. 11....................... at Pine Bluffs Jan. 17....................................Burns Jan. 18.............................. Saratoga Jan. 25..............................at Bayard Jan. 31........................ at Southeast Feb. 1..................................at Burns Feb. 7.................Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 8....................... at Hot Springs Feb. 11.......... at Guernsey-Sunrise Feb. 14..........................at Saratoga Feb. 15............................Pine Bluffs Feb. 21..............................at Wright Feb. 22............................ Moorcroft Feb. 24...................... Play-in game Feb. 27-March 1........ Regionals at Cheyenne March 6-8..............State at Casper

Pine Bluffs Nickname: Hornets Class: 2A Last year’s season record: 10-14 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference placing: Fourth Regional: Southeast Head coach: Lindsey Forbes Years as Pine Bluffs’ head coach: Second Varsity assistant coach: Dale Gilbert

GIRLS BASKETBALL

12/06/13 .............Gordon-Rushville 12/07/13 .............@ Hyannis 12/14/13 .............Mitchell 12/20/13 .............Bridgeport 12/21/13 .............@ Leyton 12/27-12/28 .......(To Be Determined) Chadron Rotary Tournament Chadron, NE. 01/10/14 .............Garden County 01/11/14 .............@ Banner County 01/17/14 .............@ Bayard 01/18/14 .............Sioux County 01/21-01/25 .......(To Be Determined) Panhandle Athletic Conference Tournament 12/6 .....................Crawrod Invitational @ Harrisburg Edgemont, SD 12/12...................Hay Springs Dual 01/28/14 .............Hay Springs 12/14...................Banner County Invitational 02/01/14 .............@ Edgemont, SD 12/21...................Bridgeport Sidney Invitational 1/9 .......................Western Trails Conference Tournament 02/04/14 .............@ Minatare 02/06-02/08 .......(To Be Determined) 1/11 .....................Garden County Invitational Western Trails Conference Tournament WNCC 1/16 .....................Hay Springs Dual 02/11/14 .............@ Morrill 1/18 .....................Sandhill Invitational 02/14/14 .............@ Kimball 1/24 .....................Chadron Invitational 02/21/14 .............Crawford 2/1 .......................Mitchell Invite 2/8 .......................Southeast, WY Tournament

WRESTLING

A

Returning starters (4): Sam Hanson, sr., 5-5, G; Dana Mullins, sr., 5-8, P; Andrea Baker, sr., 5-10, P/G; Jesi Zitek, jr., 5-3, G Other returning letter winners: Brooke Darden, so., 5-1, G Top newcomers: Jadyn Golding, fr., 5-5, G; Montana Chrystal, fr., 5-5, G; Sierra Shelit, fr., 5-5, G; Jessica Saavedra, fr., 5-6, G/F; Melissa Fornstrom, fr., 5-8, P; Ashlyn Culp, fr., 5-8, P Season outlook: “ We have four returning starters as well as an extremely talented group of underclassmen,” Coach Forbes said. “We are excited to see the progress we make this year. I’m expecting a lot from our returners.

I will look for them to be leaders.

Our freshmen seem to be very comfortable in our system so far.”

Team strengths: “Speed,” Forbes said. “We will have a tremendous amount of speed. Our strength will be in our defense.”

Team goals: “Be the best defensive team in the conference,” Forbes said. “Improve every game – take every opportunity to get better.”

Other comments: Last season Baker earned all-conference and

See GIRLS, page 16

BOYS BASKETBALL

12/06/13 .............Gordon-Rushville 12/07/13 .............@ Hyannis 12/14/13 .............Mitchell 12/20/13 .............Bridgeport 12/21/13 .............@ Leyton 12/27-12/28 .......(To Be Determined) Chadron Rotary Tournament Chadron, NE. 01/10/14 .............Garden County 01/11/14 .............@ Banner County 01/17/14 .............@ Bayard 01/18/14 .............Sioux County 01/21-01/25 .......(To Be Determined) Panhandle Athletic Conference Tournament Edgemont, SD 01/28/14 .............Hay Springs 02/01/14 .............@ Edgemont, SD 02/04/14 .............@ Minatare 02/06-02/08 .......(To Be Determined) Western Trails Conference Tournament WNCC 02/11/14 .............@ Morrill 02/14/14 .............@ Kimball 02/21/14 .............Crawford

SHAVER’S PHARMACY

LLIANCE BULLDOGS “Success For All Students”

Nebraska Total Office Chadron Home Center

WRESTLING 12/07..................Cozad Inv 12/12............ @ Scottsbluff 12/14........Charlie Lake Inv 12/21............. Valentine Inv 1/09................. @ Chadron 1/10-1/11.........Douglas Inv

1/18................ Schuyler Inv 1/24-1/25 ....... Chadron Inv 1/28......................... Gering 1/31............ McCook Duals 2/04....... @ Torrington, WY 2/08......... Southeast Duals

BOYS BASKETBALL

GIRLS BASKETBALL

12/05-12/07 ................TBD 12/13...................... Gering 12/14..................@ Bayard 12/19.................. @ Sidney 1/02................. Bridgeport 1/03...................... Mitchell 1/10.............. @ Scottsbluff 1/11 ................ Sturgis, SD 1/17................. @ Chadron 1/18....... @ Red Cloud, SD 1/21......Gordon-Rushville 1/24......................Ogallala 1/31.................... @ Gering 2/04..................... Chadron 2/07................. Scottsbluff 2/13-02/15 ..................TBD 2/15......................McCook 2/21........................ Sidney

12/05-12/07 ................TBD 12/13...................... Gering 12/14..................@ Bayard 12/19.................. @ Sidney 1/02................. Bridgeport 1/03...................... Mitchell 1/10................. Scottsbluff 1/11 ................ Sturgis, SD 1/14......Gordon-Rushville 1/17................. @ Chadron 1/18....... @ Red Cloud, SD 1/24......................Ogallala 1/31.................... @ Gering 2/04..................... Chadron 2/07.............. @ Scottsbluff 2/13-2/15 ....................TBD 2/15..................@ McCook 2/21........................ Sidney

Winter Sports Preview

16 Thursday, December 5, 2013

Star-Herald

Prep Girls Basketball Summaries Continued Continued from page 15 all-region honors after averaging 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Hanson averaged 4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.7 steals; Mullins averaged 4.1 points and 3.7 rebounds; and Zitek averaged 6.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Schedule Dec. 6-7.................Tiger Jamboree Dec. 13-14....Burns Winter Classic Dec. 20..............Lingle-Ft. Laramie Dec. 21.........................at Saratoga Jan. 10................................. Kimball Jan. 11................. Niobrara County Jan. 17.............. Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 18............................ Southeast Jan. 24................................at Burns Jan. 25.................................Mitchell Jan. 31.............................at Kimball Feb. 1............ at Lingle-Ft. Laramie Feb. 7................................ Saratoga Feb. 8.................................... Leyton Feb. 14.............................Potter-Dix Feb. 15............. at Niobrara County Feb. 21....................... at Southeast Feb. 22...................................Burns Feb. 27-March 1.2A East Regional at Cheyenne March 6-8.............. State at Casper

Potter-Dix Nickname: Coyotes Class: D-1 Last year’s season record: 9-9 Conference: MAC Last year’s conference placings: First in regular season standings; third in tournament Sub-district: 12 Last year’s sub-district tournament results: Potter-Dix lost in the first round.

Head coach: Jeff Einspahr Years as Potter-Dix’s head coach: Third Overall coaching record: 20-18 Varsity assistant coach: Lance Juelfs Returning starters (2): Taylor Juelfs, sr., 5-7, G; Morgan Wolff, sr., 5-6, G Other returning letter winners: Tiffany Lewis, sr., 5-9, F; Jourdan Langley, jr., 5-6, G Top newcomers/transfers: Alexus Rozelle, fr., 5-8, F; Dawson Sharman, fr., 5-6, G; Lanie Moench, sr., 5-6, F Season outlook: “This year we have a team that will be rebuilding with lots of potential,” Coach Einspahr said. “We graduated seven seniors from last year’s team and this year will be a new mix of freshmen through seniors.

We return our starting point guard and first-team All-MAC conference player Taylor Juelfs to build around along with senior guard Morgan Wolff. This year we will have a little more speed and athleticism and can hopefully come together as a team to reach our goals.”

Team goals: “Win our conference and tournament, along with sub-districts and districts,” Einspahr said.

Other comments: Last season Taylor Juelfs averaged 7.2 points,

2 rebounds, and 2 steals per game.

Schedule Dec. 6............ at Sedgwick County Dec. 7.....................Banner County Dec. 13....................... Creek Valley Dec. 14.............................at Paxton Dec. 17............................. at Leyton Dec. 20.....................Caliche, Colo.

Jan. 10..................................Bayard Jan. 11.....................at South Platte Jan. 17.................................. Leyton Jan. 18.....................at Hay Springs Jan. 21-25.MAC Tourney at Sidney Jan. 31................at Banner County Feb. 1.................................Minatare Feb. 7..................... Garden County Feb. 8......................................Burns Feb. 11.....................at Peetz, Colo.

Feb. 14....................... at Pine Bluffs

points and 3.5 rebounds.

Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney Dec. 13...........at Wheatland, Wyo. Dec. 20..............................Chadron Jan. 2-4............. GNAC Tourney at Scottsbluff Jan. 10............................ at Alliance Jan. 14.................................. Gering Jan. 17...............Cheyenne Central Jan. 18............... at Cheyenne East Jan. 25..............................at Sidney Feb. 1...........at Rapid City Stevens Feb. 7.................................. Alliance Feb. 8.................................... Sidney Feb. 13........................... at McCook Feb. 13-15..... East-West Shootout Feb. 21............................. at Gering Feb. 22............. Rapid City Central

Scottsbluff

Sidney

Nickname: Bearcats Class: B Last year’s season record: 2-21 Conference: Western Last year’s conference placing: Last District: 6 Last year’s district tournament: Scottsbluff lost in the first round.

Head coach: Rachel Larson Years as Scottsbluff’s head coach: First Varsity assistant coach: David Bollish Returning starters (2): Zoe Holscher, so., 5-6, PG; Chesney Walker, so., 5-9, F Other returning letter winners: Kelli Wentz, so., 5-7, G; Kyra Willats, jr., 5-9, F; Aubree Ford, jr., 5-8, G/F; Shay Roseberry, sr., 5-9, F Top newcomers/transfers: Aly Camacho, so., 6-0, C; Chloey Reifschneider, so., 5-6, G; Karley Johnson, so., 5-6, G; Shayleigh James, so., 5-6, G Season outlook: “We are a very young team with not a lot of varsity experience,” Coach Larson said.

“Our players are also in a transition year because there is a new head coach. I am very confident that we will improve this season, and I have already seen a lot of improvement in the short time since the season has started. However, improvement might not always come in the form of wins. We have a very competitive group of girls on our team, and I really think we will compete with a lot of teams this year. I hope that people will see a team that has improved in all areas of the game.”

Team strengths: “Coachable,” Larson said. “Everything we have asked as a coaching staff has been implemented by the girls.

They are eager to learn, and they are eager to improve. The attitudes I have seen thus far are great. We are also a very athletic team.”

Team goals: “Improve our shooting percentage ... improve on defense ... play together as a team,” Larson said.

Other comments: Last season Holscher averaged 4.7 points per game, and Walker averaged 3.8

Nickname: Red Raiders Class: B Last year’s season record: 16-7 Conference: Western Last year’s conference placing: Second District: 6 Last year’s district tournament: Sidney reached the semifinals.

Head coach: Tyler Shaw Years as Sidney’s head coach: Eighth Shaw’s overall coaching record: 94-59 Varsity assistant coaches: Matt McKay, Dan Dorwart, Mitch Pope Returning starters (3): Sarah Mahr, sr., 5-7, G; Abbi Porter, sr., 6-0, F; Cody Rowley, sr., 5-9, F Other returning letter winners: Rachel Petik, sr., 5-7, F; Katelin Cole, sr., 5-7, G; Maddie Stafford, jr., 5-2, G; Vanessa Riley, jr., 5-5, G; Ashley Stafford, jr., 5-5, G; Savanna Rosenbaum, jr., 5-10, F Season outlook: “This team will need to fill the holes left by last year’s seniors,” Coach Shaw said.

“This year’s team will need to continue to play solid defense while stepping up the offense to be able to compete in our conference and district. Our success will be determined by finding a combination of players that can complement one another on offense and defense.”

Team strengths: “Our main strength is our team defense,” Shaw said.

Team goals: “Our goal is to challenge for the district championship and to play our best toward the end of the season,” Shaw said.

Other comments: Last season Mahr averaged 9.7 points and 4 rebounds a game.

Former athletes currently competing in college: Karissa Segelke, a freshman on Concordia’s basketball team Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney at Scottsbluff/Gering Dec. 13....................Chase County Dec. 19............................... Alliance Jan. 2-4...............Cabela’s Holiday Shootout at Sidney Jan. 9................................... Kimball Jan. 10.................................. Gering Jan. 11........................... at McCook

12/05/13.......... Kimball 12/05/13.......... Morrill 12/06-12/06 .........Crawford Invite 12/12/13 ..............Bridgeport 12/12/13 ..............Bayard 12/14-12/14 .........Gordon-Rushville Invite 12/21-12/21 .........Sidney/Bridgeport Tournament 01/09-01/09 .........Western Trails Conference Tournament Gordon-Rushville 01/18-01/18 .........Ellicott Tournament 01/24-01/25 .........Chadron Invite 02/01-02/01 ..... Mitchell Invite 02/04/14 ..............Chadron 02/08-02/08 ......... Southeast Duals

Morrill Hardware

Jan. 17............................at Ogallala Jan. 18............................. Lexington Jan. 24............................Bridgeport Jan. 25............................Scottsbluff Jan. 31...............................Chadron Feb. 1................................. Hershey Feb. 4................. at Perkins County Feb. 7................................ at Gering Feb. 8..........................at Scottsbluff Feb. 14...........................at Chadron Feb. 15.................................Mitchell Feb. 21........................... at Alliance

Sioux County Nickname: Warriors Class: D-2 Head coach: Barry Swisher Years as Sioux County’s head coach: Ninth Coaching record at Sioux County: 114-60 Last year’s season record: 16-8 Last year’s district tournament placing: Second Last year’s conference tournament placing: First Returning starters: Hannah Grote, 5-8, sr., G; Lindsay Dunn, 5-4, sr., PG; Bailey Saults, 5-8, sr., F Other returning letter winners and newcomers who might contribute: Taryn Thayer, 5-8, sr., F; Kate Kling, 5-6, jr., G; Rachel Ellis, 5-5, fr., G; Maddi Rodenbaugh, 5-5, so, G; Abby Meidell, 5-5, fr., G; Devyn Sanderson, 5-8, fr., F; Cindy Mansfield, 5-8, fr., F; Claire Buhr, 5-4, fr., G Season outlook: “We are going to be young but have the capability of being a dangerous team as the season progresses,” Coach Swisher said.

Other comments: Last season Grote earned second -team all-conference honors, and Dunn earned honorable mention all-conference honors.

Schedule Dec. 5...............................Crawford Dec. 7....................at Cody-Kilgore Dec. 9........................... Alliance JV Dec. 13......................... at Minatare Dec. 14.........at Guernsey-Sunrise Dec. 19.................Edgemont, S.D. Dec. 21.................... Arthur County Jan. 3-4......Sioux County Holiday Tourney Jan. 9....................at Oelrichs, S.D. Jan. 10..............Lingle-Ft. Laramie Jan. 14..............at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 18.....................at Hemingford Jan. 20-25.............PAC Tourney at Edgemont, S.D. Jan. 31........................ Hay Springs Feb. 7................................ Minatare Feb. 8.................at Banner County Feb. 11......................... at Crawford Feb. 14..............Guernsey-Sunrise

Southeast Nickname: Cyclones Class: 2A Last year’s season record: 21-6 Conference: SEWAC Last year’s conference placing: First Regional: East Last year’s regional placing: Third

Last year’s state tournament: Southeast placed third. The Cyclones lost in the semifinals to eventual state champion Tongue River Head coach: Bart Trautwein Years as Southeast’s head coach: Ninth Varsity assistant coach: Jennifer Scheer Returning starters (1): Laurel Luke, jr., 5-9, P Other returning letter winners: Dani McManamen, so., 5-8, W; Jessie Lessard, jr., 5-6, P; Shayla Stoddard, sr., 5-6, W; Madi Pragnell, jr., 5-8, W; Hannah Grosz, jr., 6-0, P; Erin Buchanan, jr., 5-5, P/W; Liz Foos, jr., 5-4, W Top newcomers/transfers: Shelby Wright, sr., 5-7, P (transfer from Burns) Season outlook: “Four starters and 66 percent of our scoring graduated, so we need to work on filling those holes,” Coach Trautwein said. “We have a number of returners with a lot of varsity experience and if those players continue to improve, we should have a good team by season’s end.”

Team strengths: “We always have good defensive teams,” Trautwein said.

Te a m g o a l s : “ To i m p r ove throughout the season and be playing our best basketball at tournament time,” Trautwein said.

Last year’s highlights: “After a rough 5-4 start, we won 16 out of the last 18 games and developed into a very good team,” Trautwein said.

Schedule Dec. 6-7.................Kimball Tourney Dec. 13-14...........Herder Classic at Glenrock Dec. 20............................ at Mitchell Jan. 4...................................... Burns Jan. 10.................................. at Lusk Jan. 14...........at Guernsey-Sunrise Jan. 17.....vs. Lingle-Ft. Laramie at EWC Jan. 18........................at Pine Bluffs Jan. 21.................................. Bayard Jan. 24...............................Saratoga Jan. 25..............................Moorcroft Jan. 31...................................... Lusk Feb. 1.................Guernsey-Sunrise Feb. 7.................................. at Burns Feb. 8.............................at Saratoga Feb. 15.............vs. Lovell at Casper Feb. 21...........................Pine Bluffs Feb. 22....vs. Lingle-Ft. Laramie at EWC Feb. 27-March 1.........Regionals at Cheyenne March 6-8.............. State at Casper

Torrington Nickname: Blazers Class: 3A Last year’s season record: 12-12 Conference: ABSARAKA Last year’s conference placing: Third Regional: East Last year’s regional tournament record: 0-2 Head coach: Jeff Halley Years as Torrington’s head coach: Eighth Overall coaching record: 228-

12/05-12/07 .........Western Conference Tournament Scottsbluff,/Gering 12/12/13.......... Gering 12/14/13 ..............@ Hemingford 12/20/13.......... Southeast, WY 12/21/13.......... Morrill 01/02-01/03 .........Alliance Holiday Tournament 01/03/14 ..............@ Alliance 01/07/14 ..............@ Kimball 01/11/14.......... Chadron 01/14/14 ..............@ Burns, WY 01/18/14 ..............@ Bridgeport 01/24/14.......... Bayard 01/25/14 ..............@ Pine Bluffs, WY 01/28/14 ..............Kimball 01/31/14.......... @ Gordon-Rushville 02/06-02/08 .........Western Trails Conference Tournament WNCC 02/14/14.......... Ogallala 02/15/14 ..............@ Sidney

12/05-12/07 .........Western Conference Tournament Scottsbluff/Gering 12/12/13.......... Gering 12/14/13 ..............@ Hemingford 12/20/13.......... Southeast, WY 12/21/13.......... Morrill 01/02-01/03 .........Alliance Holiday Tournament 01/03/14 ..............@ Alliance 01/11/14.......... Chadron 01/14/14 ..............@ Burns, WY 01/18/14 ..............@ Bridgeport 01/24/14.......... Bayard 01/25/14 ..............@ Pine Bluffs, WY 01/28/14 ..............Kimball 01/31/14.......... @ Gordon-Rushville 02/06-02/08 .........Western Trails Conference Tournament WNCC 02/14/14.......... Ogallala 02/15/14 ..............@ Sidney 02/21/14 ..............@ Kimball

RUSSELL’S EXCAVATION

Lashley Auto Sales 623-1799

Western Trails Chiropractic Physical Therapy AND Massage Therapy

157 Varsity assistant coaches: Mike McNamee, Shaylee Mortimore Returning starters (3): Allison Marsh, sr., 5-5, G; Avery Madden, sr., 5-9, G; Murphy Haun, sr., 5-4, G Other returning letter winners: Kailee Adams, sr., 5-9, P; Kylie Korell, sr., 5-4, G; Kayla Frazier, jr., 5-6, G; Maddie Werner, so., 5-6, F; Madi Haun, so., 5-4, G Top newcomers/transfers: Sara Kostur, jr., 5-9, P; Lindsey Lemmon, jr., 5-6, F; Yanni Saucedo, so., 5-4, G; Abbie Smith, so., 5-8, F; Taylor Troxel, jr., 6-1, P; Paige Ulrich, so., 5-6, G; Sabrina Juma, so., 5-6, F; Riley Clarke, so., 5-8, P Season outlook: “We look to be very strong in our conference and in the 3A state race,” Halley said.

“We are expecting great things out of this group with as many kids that we return with varsity experience and adding the newcomers in the fold this summer. Our non-conference schedule in the Western Conference Tourney and a trip to Chadron should let us see where we are early before we head to Lander to take on three of the better teams from the west side.

“There are no teams that are head and shoulders above the rest in our class this season. There are legitimately six to eight teams that could win the state championship, including Torrington.”

Team strengths: Guard play. “We return our starting three guards from last season,” Halley said. ...

Athleticism. “We hope to be able to wear people down with an up-tempo style.” ... Strength in the post.

“Adams and Kostur should be able to battle with anyone.” ... Depth.

“We can comfortably play 10-11 girls each night.”

Team goals: “Be a top seed in the region, return to state, [and] win the first championship in 24 years,” Halley said.

Other comments: Marsh and Madden both earned all-conference honors last season.

Last year’s highlights: Winning the last three games of the season to earn the No. 3 seed.

Former athletes currently competing in college: Emily Madden, junior at the University of Dallas.

Schedule Dec. 5-7........Western Conference Tourney Dec. 14......................... at Chadron Dec. 20-21.............Lander Classic Jan. 10............................at Rawlins Jan. 11.......................at Wheatland Jan. 17...............................Worland Jan. 18..............................Glenrock Jan. 24...........................at Douglas Jan. 25................................. Buffalo Jan. 28..................................Gering Jan. 31........................... Newcastle Feb. 7..................................Rawlins Feb. 8.............................Wheatland Feb. 14..........................at Glenrock Feb. 15...........................at Worland Feb. 21..............................Douglas Feb. 22............................ at Buffalo March 1..................... at Newcastle March 6-8.Regionals at Torrington March 13-15..........State at Casper

NILE THEATRE