RCW hopes its winning run continues

Renville County West junior forward Tyler Froland drives to the basket during a Camden Conference game against Central Minnesota Christian on Feb. 11, 2021 from Renville County West High School. West Central Tribune file photo

Jaguars must replace four starters from a 13-6 squad

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

RENVILLE — The Renville County West boys basketball is wrapping up the best four-year run the school has had. The Jaguars were 13-6 last season and have been 59-39 the past four years. Prior to that, you have to go back all the way to 2004-05 to find a winning season.

Leading the way for RCW last season were Riley Ashburn, Brandon Hoberg, Jaden Kolker and Nathan Schmidt. Ashburn was a first-team West Central Tribune All-Area selection who is now playing for Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. He was the Camden Conference MVP, averaging 23.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Hoberg (10.4 ppg), Kolker (6.5 ppg) and Schmidt (5.8 ppg) all were key to the Jaguars’ success.

“It will be difficult to replace the stats and leadership that those four seniors provided last season,” RCW head coach Matt Huhnerkoch said. “However, the players (who) will replace them are talented and would have seen much more playing time had we not had such a stacked senior class last season.”

The lone starter back is Tyler Froland. He’s a 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward who was an all-conference selection last year. There is a supporting cast that the coaching staff, which includes Rich Schrupp, Brady Howerda, Rich Hoffman and Les Schneider, is optimistic about.

“Even though this is a building year, the cupboard is not bare,” Huhnerkoch said. “It may take some time to gel as a team, but this team could win their share of games.”

Among those players to watch include Jaden Serbus, Adam Schrupp, A.J. Gasca and Ryan Schrupp. “Jaden is a big, strong center that other teams will struggle to match up with,” Huhnerkoch said.

Serbus is 6-5, 220 pounds. He averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Adam Schrupp averaged 3.3 ppg. He’s a 6-0, 160pound guard.

“Adam was a spot starter last season and contributed key minutes off the bench,” said Huhnerkoch, who is in his 11th year as RCW’s coach. “(He) is expected to take on a bigger role this year with the experience from last season.”

Gasca is a 6-1 junior who was a starting quarterback on the football team. He’s expected to start.

Ryan Schrupp is a 5-8 freshman guard with upside.

“Ryan saw limited minutes last season as an eighth-grader on varsity,” Huhnerkoch said. “Ryan is a sharp-shooting guard who can hit from anywhere.”

The Jaguars hope it all adds up to another successful season, though it won’t be easy. They’d like to make it five straight winning seasons.

RCW's Tyler Froland (23) goes up to defend a shot by MACCRAY's Trenten Cavaness during the first half of a Camden Conference game March 1, 2021 in Renville.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune