Trojan wrestlers young, inexperienced but athletic

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 29 November 2011 16:27

Anchoring Hillsboro coach Scott O’Hare’s young wresting team are letter-winners and upper classmen (from left) Tyrell Thiessen, Bret Mueller, Tanner Jones and Cody Delk. Assisting O’Hare this season is Kurt Bowman. With only one senior, two letter-winners and a total roster of 13 athletes in a sport that requires 14 for a full lineup, you might think Hillsboro wrestling coach Scott O’Hare is apprehensive about the season ahead.

On the contrary, O’Hare, now in his ninth year leading the program, sees a lot of upside to this team.

“Even though it’s a small group numbers-wise, a young group grade-wise, and an inexperienced group, we are excited,” he said. “As a group, this might be the most athletic team I’ve ever had.

“I feel like I’ve got a group of 13 kids who really want to work hard. They’ve got explosive nature, they’ve got competitiveness in them, and they’ve got a decent work ethic—which we’re going to continue...

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HHS boys seasoned for greater success in 2011-12

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 29 November 2011 16:26

Returning for Trojan boys’ coach Darrel Knoll this season are eight seniors and letter-winners: (from left) Shaq Thiessen, Brandon Rooker, Brett Weinbrenner, Josh Wiebe, Devin Dick, Evan Ollenburger, Luke Moore and Jesse Allen. Serving as assistant coaches this year are HHS hoops alums Tyler Peachey and Spencer Brown. A dose of senior maturity combined with a seasoned core of young talent has coach Darrel Knoll expecting the Hills­boro boys to take another step closer to the Trojan tradition of state-caliber basketball.

Rebounding from a 2-19 record two years ago to post an 11-10 mark last season, Knoll sees the current crop of Trojans as being a legitimate threat in the Central Kansas League and into the post-season.

Hillsboro tied for third in the CKL last year at 6-3 and lost in the first round of sub-state.

“I would see us having the ability to compete pretty well with everyone in the league,” said Knoll, who begins his 24th year at HHS with a 400-141 record.

“I know there are other good teams out there, and teams that have a lot more...

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Hillsboro girls set their sights on capturing Class 3A title

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 29 November 2011 16:25

Hillsboro girls’ coach Nathan Hiebert welcomes eight seniors and letter-winners returning for a team that placed third in Class 3A last season. Pictured (from left) are Amy Bartel, Callie Serene, Courtney Weber, Tena Loewen, Krista Reimer, Stephanie Sanders, Maci Schlehuber and Addie Lackey. Returning as assistant coaches this winter are Dennis Boldt and Katie Mount. Having experienced a taste of state success last season by placing third at the Class 3A tournament, the Hillsboro girls’ basket­ball team is hungry for the whole enchilada this season.

With the team returning all but one starter, seven letter-winners and better than 75 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last year’s 21-5 squad, targeting the top prize is more than preseason wishful thinking.

“These girls want to win the state tournament,” said coach Nathan Hiebert, starting his fifth year at the Trojan helm with a 62-33 record. “That’s our objective. They truly believe it’s a possibility and they understand what they have to put into it.”

Returning talent

Talented experience is a key ingredient. Heading the...

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New coach signals new start for Bluejay women’s program

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 29 November 2011 16:20

The Tabor College women’s basketball team for 2011-12: back row (from left), Whitney Frise, Hannah Paust, My-Chal Duncan, Becky Bryan, Taylor Dinges, Tynan Honn, Lindsey Radic, Brittany Shaklee; middle row, student assistant Gina Hullet, assistant coach Macy Fadenrecht, Kendra Flaming, Myranda Clark, Bailey Ashton, assistant coach Erin Barocio, head coach Shawn Reed; front row, Karly Lindroth-Yates, MacKenzie Dick, Jaci Garver, Kimbralee Adams, Kaylin Barnhardt, Becca Spurgeon, Tamara Lio, Katlyn Mary. The Tabor College women’s basketball team welcomes a new coach, a new philosophy and many new players this season, hoping to find the formula for success.

Coach Shawn Reed is new to Tabor but not new to the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. He was an assistant at Sterling College for 13 to 14 years previously. He returns after a five-year hiatus from coaching.

“I really feel like God has called me back into coaching, so I’m excited about that,” Reed said. “It’s good to be back, but we have a lot of work to do at Tabor.”

A huge part of the job will be acclimating Tabor’s 12 new players to the game plan.

“There’s so many new people, and a new coach,” Reed said. “It’s an adjustment and they’re doing...

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