New coach and new players to rebuild CGHS boys’ team

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 27 November 2012 15:22

The seniors and letter-winners leading the Canton-Galva boys’ team this season are: (back row, from left) Trevor Unruh, Kaden Littrell, Austin Bullinger; (front row) A.J. Medley, Bryan Little and Devin Helton. The Canton-Galva boys’ basketball team welcomes a new coach and a roster full of newcomers as the Eagles embark on a rebuilding year this season.

“Being my first year at Canton-Galva, I am excited about the opportunity to take over the program and work with some great kids,” said coach Shane Duncan, who is an Eagle alum.

This season will be Duncan’s 12th year of coaching after four years at Lincoln and seven at Ellinwood.

The Eagles’ only returning starter is junior guard/forward A.J. Medley, whom Duncan expects to provide leadership to an untested squad.

“We are a very young and inexperienced team,” Duncan said. “We will have to learn the game speed at the varsity level.

“The only way this is accomplished is...

Read more: New coach and new players to rebuild CGHS boys’ team

Goessel threesome returns as three-year starters, scorers

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 27 November 2012 15:21

Goessel’s triple threat of seniors (from left) Johanna Hoffman, Alex Hiebert and Jessica Harvey generated 70 percent of the Bluebirds’ scoring last season. The Goessel girls’ basketball squad returns 70 percent of its scoring from last season in seniors Alex Hiebert, Jessica Harvey and Johanna Hoffman.

All three have been varsity starters since their sophomore year, bringing valuable experience to a team with several newcomers as well.

Goessel welcomes seven freshmen who won the league title in junior high last year.

“I’ve been impressed with all of them,” said returning coach Ryan Hoopes. “We have some young ones who are going to have to step up. So that’s kind of exciting.”

The roster is shaping up to be guard-heavy, with only one post player (Hiebert) returning for the Bluebirds. The other post players are underclassmen.

“We’re tall, but we’re tall guards,”...

Read more: Goessel threesome returns as three-year starters, scorers

Depth at guard play should fuel Bluebird boys’ team

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 27 November 2012 15:20

These seven seniors will form the foundation of the Bluebird boys’ team this season: (back row, from left) Tyler Schulz, Trey Schmidt, Davis Cook, Nic Buller; (front row) Dan Smucker, Kevin Moon, Shane Goerzen. Depth at the guard position is expected to prove key for the Goessel boys’ basketball team, which returns four of five contributors in that role.

“Our quickness and ability to handle the ball is a definite asset as we head into the season,” said returning coach Curtis Guhr. “That being said, we also have several posts looking to fill the void left from graduation.”

Providing leadership this season will be a core of four seniors led by Davis Cook, who averaged eight points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season.

Also returning are classmates Nic Buller (7.5 points), Trey Schmidt (5.2) and Shane Goerzen (5.0).

Top newcomers include Tyler Schultz, Brian Hiebert, Dan Smucker, Reece Hiebert, Ben Weins and Zach...

Read more: Depth at guard play should fuel Bluebird boys’ team

Marion returns talent to mat

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 27 November 2012 15:19

A smaller but experienced Marion wrestling squad will be led by these seniors: (back row, from left) Derrick Dvorak, Evan Slater, Brayden Putter; (front row) Eric Regnier and Brody Carroll. The perennially competitive Marion wrestling program is down in numbers but high in talent this year as the Warriors seek to qualify more athletes for the state tournament in February.

“I’m excited about the talent we have in our room,” said coach Chad Atkins. “We have as much talent as we’ve ever had, we just don’t have a lot of extras, numbers-wise.”

Leading the Warriors will be seniors Brody Carroll and Evan Slater, as well as Beretta Janzen, all of whom competed at state last season.

“We have three kids for certain that legitimately, if they go out and take care of business, can go to the state championship match,” Adkins said of the trio.

“I’m excited about that.”

Carroll and Slater have been...

Read more: Marion returns talent to mat