E16 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021
BOYS BASKETBALL
Sting have a new leader at the top
New coach Logan DeBlieck relies on upperclassmen for YME’s improvement BY TOM ELLIOTT
together for a very long time and are exciting West Central Tribune players to watch. Our GRANITE FALLS — Logan DeBlieck takes over age and experience level should help us a lot this as head boys basketball coach at Yellow Medicine season.” The big four are senior East for Jake Suter. DeBlieck, a YME alum- guards Isaac Jimenez and nus, was an assistant last Nikson Knapper, senior season for the Sting, who forward Preston Berends went 0-15 in the Camden and junior guard Cody Dahlager. Conference South DiviThe fifth starter, Kyle sion and 0-18 overall. YME scored 38.7 points Chase, is a key roster loss from last season, having per game, while allowing 73.1. Both ranked last in graduated. DeBlieck believes Knapthe conference. DeBlieck believes a ros- per and Jimenez are playter full of upperclassmen, ers to watch as the Sting including four with start- attempt to compete in the rugged Camden Coning experience, should ference, which was filled help YME improve in with top-notch teams last 2021-22. season. “This season YME has “Nikson is a talented a full varsity roster of player who can impact juniors and seniors,” DeBlieck said. “These the game in several players have all played ways,” DeBlieck said.
“Isaac is a quick athlete (and) defensive-minded player. “He is also very talented at controlling the basketball.” Besides 18 losses in 18 games last season, YME went 1-23 in 2019-20 and 4-20 in ‘18-19. The Sting beat Canby 62-51 Feb. 18, 2020 in Granite Falls, then lost their last four games of the season. That leaves YME with a 22-game losing streak heading into this season. That doesn’t seem to faze DeBlieck, whose assistants will be Matt Johnson, Dylan Lindstrom and Brandon Mensink. “This is my first year as head coach so my career record is 0-0,” DeBlieck said.
West Central Tribune file photos
Left: Yellow Medicine East guard Isaac Jimenez guards a Renville County West player on the perimeter during a Camden Conference game on Jan. 6, 2020 from Yellow Medicine East High School. Right: Yellow Medicine East guard Cody Dahlager directs a play in the half-court during a Camden Conference game against Renville County West on Jan. 6, 2020 from Yellow Medicine East High School.
