Spotlight (Winter)

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Eagle boys set on soaring high for third straight season

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Having graduated four major contributors from a 14-9 team, the Canton-Galva boys will lean heavily on returning starters Ted Regehr (left) and Andrew Westbrook (not pictured). The team also has a strong group of players stepping into larger roles, including junior Destin Nightingale (right).

Success breeds success, and the Canton-Galva boys? basketball team knows the saying is true from recent experience. For consecutive seasons, the Eagles reached the sub-state finals. The 2007 season begins with that achievement in full view?even though it will be difficult to repeat.

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Canton-Galva girls return core of last season?s success

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The core of the Canton-Galva girls basketball team is seven members deep. Avoiding injuries and foul trouble are keys for the Eagles. The team?s rotation is: (from left) back row Kaitlyn Bressie, Kaitlin Dailey, Kaycie Shearer; front row Shannon Williams, Kylie Haines, Allie Enns, Ashley Vogts.

The good news for fans of the Canton-Galva High School girls? basketball team is that the Eagles? core of players remains largely intact after a 14-win season.

With seven members of last year?s team ready to play again this season, coach Barry Fritz enters his fourth year at CGHS with a group that showed a knack for winning close games last year.

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Despite key voids, MHS boys should have better depth

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With six returning letterwinners, the Marion boys have a mix of experienced players and new players from last season?s 11-10 squad. The six letterwinners include three juniors and three seniors: back row, Luke Gordon, senior Justin Heidebrecht, Elliott Hett, senior Chase Carlson; front row, Mitchell Leppke and senior Calvin Jeffrey.? Andrew Ottoson / Free Press

After posting an 11-10 record on their way to fifth place in the Mid-Central Activities Associa?tion in 2006, the Marion boys come into 2007 with two very large holes to fill at the top of their roster.

Gone is Travis Hett, whose propensity for creating open looks off the dribble and knocking down difficult shots generated open chances for teammates.

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Marion girls expect to improve on last season’s

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In his first year at the wheel, coach Randy Savage will have seven returning seniors and letter-winners to shuffle around his Warrior girls? lineup. They are: back row (from left), Kristen Steinborn, Lindsey Hett, Julia Zeiner and Kaylee Heerey; front row, Amanda Richmond, Lauren Helmer, Kimber Hardey.

After an 0-11 season in league play and a 2-15 mark overall, the Marion High School girls? basketball team will have plenty of room to improve.

Randy Savage, in his first year as head coach, will have a deeper rotation at his disposal than his predecessor, Daryl Enos, had last year.

The Warriors lost Erin Carr and Morgan Cady to graduation, but bring back Kimber Hardey, Lauren Helmer and Austin Percell for their senior seasons.

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Marion wrestlers build new team with 3 state qualifiers

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Three state qualifiers headline a group of six seniors and letter-winners returning to Marion?s wrestling program this year. They are: back row (from left), Thomas McGee, Hank Collett, Chuck Holub; front row, Cody Wildin, Dillon Wildin and Pascal Otterbach.? Andrew Ottoson / Free Press

After a successful season in his eighth year, Marion High School wrestling coach Chad Adkins expects more of the same from his squad this year.

Despite having graduated seniors John Barr, who qualified for state at 152 pounds, and Ben Leppke, who wrestled at 160, the Warriors will have veteran depth through the midsection of their lineup.

Led by three returning state qualifiers, the Warriors have high hopes for building on the foundation for success they laid a year ago.