E4 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021
BOYS BASKETBALL
Dragons have some work to do
Litchfield must replace some top talent to enjoy another top season BY TOM ELLIOTT
Draeger. All three were Weseloh is a 6-footPlayers to watch include starters for last season’s 3 senior forward who seniors Logan King, Tanner averaged 6.7 points, 5.2 Kohls and Elijah SchacherLITCHFIELD — Though 15-6 squad that tied for er, junior Tyler Pennertz there are three players with third in the Wright County rebounds and 2.5 assists Conference West Division per game. and sophomores Jack starting experience back, Dietel is a 6-4 senior for- McCann and Blake Aller. the Litchfield boys basket- with a 9-5 record. “We have to figure some ward who suffered a knee King is a 5-9 point guard ball team feels like it will be things out,” Draeger said. injury and missed most of who backed up Alsleben starting fresh in 2020-21. “None of these guys were his junior season. He had a last season. Kohls is a That’s because Avery primary scorers. I think we good football season. 5-11 guard who played Liestman, Tyson Michels Draeger, the coach’s son, in 17 games last season. and Ben Alsleben from the lost 60 to 70 percent of our scoring and that’s what a is a 5-11 junior guard who Schacherer is a 6-1 forclass of 2021 meant so averaged 6.1 points per ward. Pennertz is a 6-3 much to the Dragons’ suc- coach is worried about is how to get those points game, shooting 42% from forward. McCann and Aller cess last season. back.” 3-point range. are guards. “We have a whole new team,” head coach Matt Draeger said. “We’re trying to learn a little bit about our guys and what we can do. “We have a good senior group that has played a lot. I like our kids. We’ll see.” Liestman and Michels were West Central Tribune All-Area selections. Liestman, a first-teamer, is now playing baseball at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids. Michels, a third-teamer, was an Academic All-Stater. Alsleben, a fine football quarterback as well as a point guard, is playing football at St. John’s University. Being asked to step up Photos by Joe Brown / West Central Tribune and fulfill larger responLitchfield’s Beau Weseloh (24) fights for the loose ball with a Rockford player sibilities are Beau Weselduring the first half of a Wright County Conference game Feb. 5, 2021 at Litchfield oh, Dom Dietel and Alex High School. West Central Tribune
“It’s a whole new season,” said Matt Draeger, who is in his fifth season as head coach with a 69-38 record. His assistants are Justin Wittrock, Dylan Koll and Jon Johnson. “We have to fill a lot of roles and figure out who can defend and who can score. We’re kind of starting over.” Draeger expects
Annandale, Rockford and Glencoe-Silver Lake to be top teams in the Wright County West. New London-Spicer and Watertown-Mayer also should be good, too. “We figure to get better every game,” Draeger said. “Our conference is really hard and really tough. We see that as a way to prepare for March.”
Litchfield’s Logan King (3) reaches out to defend the passing lane for Rockford senior Ryan Boysen during the first half of a Wright County Conference game Feb. 5, 2021 at Litchfield High School.
Best of Luck to all Fall Student-Athletes and Coaches!
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