2006-07 area boys basketball preview capsules
Baldwin Bulldogs
Coach: Eric Toot, first season
2005-06 record: 15-7 overall, 9-3 Frontier League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Santa Fe Trail in Class 4A sub-state semifinals
Key returning players: Blake Weiden, 6-0, G, Sr.; Sam Scott, 6-4, F, Sr.; Andrew Madl, 6-2, G, Sr.
Coach Toot says: “We have an excellent group of seniors who will help in the transition to a new coach. The key will be how quickly we are able to learn a new system and carry it over into games.”
De Soto Wildcats
Coach: Jim Bonar
2005-06 record: 11-10 overall, 8-4 Frontier League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Bonner Springs in Class 4A sub-state quarterfinals
Key returning players: Erik Hill, 6-2, F, Jr.; Andre Linzy, 6-1, G, Jr.; Travis Crow, 5-9, G, Jr.
Coach Bonar says: “A young team with little varsity experience will be tested all season. We must rely on great team defense until we find out how to be successful on offense.”
Eudora Cardinals
Coach: Kyle Deterding, second season
2005-06 record: 14-7 overall, 8-4 Frontier League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Kansas City Ward in Class 4A sub-state quarterfinals
Key returning players: Matt Abel, 5-10, G, Jr.; Todd Roberts, 6-1, G, Sr.; Mike Ortega, 6-0, F, Sr.; Tim DeArmond, 6-1, F, Sr.
Coach Deterding says: “We are looking for some young guys to step in and replace the five graduated starters from last year.”
McLouth Bulldogs
Coach: Jason Schroeder, first season
2005-06 record: 5-16 overall, 0-10 Delaware Valley League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Wellsville in Class 3A sub-state quarterfinals
Key returning players: Andrew Booth, 6-3, F, Sr.; Trevor Keling, 6-1, F, Sr.; Lance Lamborn, 6-0, G., Sr.; Mark Stewart, 6-0, G., Jr.
Coach Schroeder says: “We gave a strong group of players returning from last year’s squad, along with a mixture of talent from the JV team. Last season we lost some tough games, and this year we are hoping to be on the other end of those close games.”
Mill Valley Jaguars
Coach: Justin Bogart, seventh season
2005-06 record: 22-3 overall, 13-0 Kaw Valley League
2005-06 postseason: Finished fourth at Class 5A state tournament
Key returning players: Michael Mahan, 6-4, F, Sr.
Coach Bogart says: “Although we lost a tremendous group of seniors, we return a group of seniors with lots of experience. With a couple of additions from the sophomore and junior classes, we look to defend our 2006 Kaw Valley League title and make another run at the state tournament.”
Oskaloosa Bears
Coach: Tracy Kutscher, second season
2005-06 record: 11-11 overall, 5-5 Delaware Valley League
2005-06 postseason: Lost in Kansas City Christian in Class 3A sub-state quarterfinals
Key returning players: Brock McGinnis, 6-1, G, Jr.; Boone Heston, 6-1, F, Jr.
Coach Kutscher says: “Our guard play will have to improve with the loss of Cody Heston. We have young players this year with lots of juniors and sophomores. They will have to step up early to be successful.”
Ottawa Cyclones
Coach: David Grover, 15th season
2005-06 record: 18-4 overall, 11-1 Frontier League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Emporia in Class 5A sub-state finals
Key returning players: Victor Ojeleye, 6-5, F, Sr.; Chase Moore, 5-11, G, Jr.
Coach Grover says: “We graduated six of our top eight players. … Ojeleye had a great offseason and is poised for a breakout senior year.”
Perry-Lecompton Kaws
Coach: Jeff Dickson, second season
2005-06 record: 5-16 overall, 1-12 Kaw Valley League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Topeka Hayden in Class 4A sub-state quarterfinals
Key returning players: Kyle Morgison, 6-0, G, So.
Coach Dickson says: “Our kids have put a lot of time in this summer in the gym and weight room and we are looking for a huge improvement in the league standings. We will no longer be occupying the bottom spot in the Kaw Valley League.
Santa Fe Trail Chargers
Coach: Jason Schaffer, fourth season
2005-06 record: 11-12 overall, 5-8 Kaw Valley League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Spring Hill in Class 4A sub-state finals
Key returning players: Corey Wells, 6-0, G, Sr.; Caleb Bahner, 5-8, G, Sr.; Alex Boss, 5-10, G, Sr.; Adam Hollar, 6-3, F, Sr.; Cameron Cauthon, 6-2, F, Jr.; Justin Lee, 6-5, F, Jr.
Coach Schaffer says: “We lost our top six players from last season’s team, which was two points away from the state tournament. Our returning players were only role players last year and will have to make much larger contributions.”
Tonganoxie Chieftains
Coach: David Walker, sixth season
2005-06 record: 2-19 overall, 2-11 Kaw Valley League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Kansas City Sumner in Class 4A sub-state quarterfinals
Key returning players: Jeff Hughes, 6-1, G, Sr.; Tyler Miles, 6-3, G, Sr.; Zeb Kissinger, 6-4, F, Sr.; Jordan Herron, 5-10, G, Sr.
Coach Walker says: “We have mor experience this year versus the past, and a little more height overall. We have good senior leadership.”
Wellsville Eagles
Coach: Dirk Over, third season
2005-06 record: 14-9 overall, 4-8 Frontier League
2005-06 postseason: Lost to Atchison Maur Hill in Class 3A sub-state finals
Key returning players: Scott Samsel, 6-1, G, Sr.; Craig Moore, 6-6, C, Sr.; Colin Wright, 6-6, F, Jr.
Coach Over says: “We will have a good inside-outside game with a four-year starting point guard. Our league is good again this year, but I expect us to compete well in every game this year.”