A Kansas version of ‘Hoosiers’

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 30 November 2010 17:30

One of the most popular movies of the past 25 years was “Hoosiers,” which was inspired by the true story of tiny Milan High School defeating mighty Muncie Central High for the Indiana State Basketball title.

The movie, loosely based on this actual game which took place in 1954, captured the imagination and hearts of millions of movie-goers around the country. Kansas has its own version of the story.

On Jan. 16, 1964, the Mullinville Tigers squared off against the Shawnee Mission North Indians at the Dodge City Tournament of Champions. Talk about David and Goliath: Mullin­ville boasted an enrollment of just 73 students while North’s enrollment topped 2,100.

The TOC, started in 1944, was already considered the preeminent...

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Almost all things new for PBHS boys’ team

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 30 November 2010 17:29

Seniors and returning letter-winners on this year’s Peabody’Burns boys team are: front row (from left), Trevor Foth, Storm Pickens, Sean Brunner; back row, Matthew Hiebert, Brody Kyle, Jacob Gillet, Derek Price. The Peabody-Burns boys’ basketball team will have a new look and a new league home this season after a successful 2009-10 campaign in which the Warriors finished 16-5 overall and 8-3 in the Heart of America League.

All five starters and a key contributor from that team graduated last spring.

Coach Brian Simmonds will begin his third year as head boys’ coach with only one returning varsity letter-winner: Storm Pickens, a 5-foot, 9-inch senior who average 2.7 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal a year ago.

“We will be looking for several players to step up to the varsity level as starters, and others to make contributions coming off the bench,” said Simmonds, who has a 30-12 record as PBHS boys’ coach.

The pool...

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PBHS girls look to boost scoring and team record

Written by John Giffin Tuesday, 30 November 2010 17:26

Forming the nucleus off this year’s Peabody-Burns girls’ team are: (from left) Heather Brooks, Paige Lewis, Jessica Noble, Tori Schroeder, Michaela Methvin, Rayna Barnes, Sarah Hofkamp.

The Peabody-Burns girls’ basketball team will open 2010-2011 in a new league.

Coming off a 5-16 record overall and a 2-8 mark in the former Eisenhower League, the Warriors started and ended 2009-10 on a five-game losing streak.

The Warriors struggled offensively, averaging 29.8 points per game.

Moving into the Wheat State League this season, Peabody-Burns features several seniors and returning letter-winners.

The Warriors, coached by Darren Schroeder, return Heather Brooks, Paige Lewis, Jessica Noble, Tori Schroeder, Michaela Methvin, Rayna Barnes and Sarah Hofkamp.

PBHS opens its season Dec 3 at Chase County.

CHS girls will have experience on the court

Written by John Giffin Tuesday, 30 November 2010 17:25

Seniors and returning letter-winners Allison Shields, Ripley Howard, Katie Remy, Amanda Floyd, Theo Kassebaum and Ellie Miller (not necessarily pictured as listed) will form the core of the Centre girls’ team this season.<p> The Centre girls’ basketball team will enter its first season in a new league led by several players with game experience.

Finishing 8-13 overall and 4-4 in Eisenhower League play in 2009-10, the Cougars lost their leading scorers—Carlye Simons, 12 points per game, and Shelby Deines, nine points—to graduation but return senior post player Allison Shields.

As a junior, Shields led the Cougars in rebounding with 10 per game and averaged seven points while playing primarily in the paint.

Shields will be joined near the basket by fellow senior Ripley Howard, who averaged 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Her best game came against White City, when she scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

On the perimeter, the Cougars...

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Centre boys will be a force in a new league

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 30 November 2010 17:24

This group of seniors and returning letter-winners will lead the Centre boys in their first season in the Wheat State League. Pictured, not necessarily as listed, are Tanner Brunner, Brian Burhoop, Rustyn Kerbs, Adam Matz and Tyler Klenda. The Centre Cougar boys appear to be loaded for bear this season as they return four senior starters and five letter-winners from a squad that went 12-9 a year ago and swept its Eisen­hower League schedule with a 6-0 record.

Coach Greg Wyatt, now in his second year as boys’ coach after a previous tenure with the girls’ team, will have a pair of Eisen­hower all-league performers at the heart of his year’s squad.

Earning league recognition for their hoops prowess were Tanner John­son, a 6-foot, 2-inch forward who averaged nine points, eight rebounds and two assists per game, and Brian Burhoop, a 6-2 guard who scored seven points, pulled down six rebounds and handed out two assists per contest.

They will be complemented by...

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