10 Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The Iola Register Winter Sports Special
Wildcat girls aim for successful year MORAN — A quartet of returning players will be key for Marmaton Valley High’s girls to see success in 201213, according to head coach Kent Houk. Judging from early practices, the results are encouraging. “They already look better in the past week than they did all last year,” Houk said. The Wildcats will look to improve on a 2-19 campaign from 2011-12. Leading the way will be 5-6 senior guard Kaylee Boyd, 5-8 junior forward Kaitlin Ensminger, 5-6 senior guard Kacie Shadden and 5-10 junior center Emily Meiwes. All saw plenty of playing time as underclassmen and are ready to assume larger roles on and off the court. “The girls know my system, and they see the floor better,” Houk said. “They know what I expect in practice and they hustle a lot.” The Wildcats will look to push the ball on offense, while deploying a man-toman defense to disrupt opposing offenses. A number of newcomers
will be counted on as well. Ashton Louk is a 5-5 junior guard who played sparingly in years past, but has improved and should see a larger role. Tessa Olson, a 5-5 sophomore guard, and 5-6 freshman center Mackenzie Tynon also warrant consideration for playing time, Houk said. The upcoming season will hinge on remaining focused as a team, Houk said. “Unselfish basketball is what you’d call it,” Houk said. Houk sees plenty of competition for superiority throughout the Three Rivers League. Oswego offers a multitude of quick guards and a number of incoming 6-footers who thrived at the middle school level. St. Paul also has a good coach “who gets the most out of his girls,” Houk said. “They’ll be tough.” Marmaton Valley opens the 2012-13 season Friday at Uniontown. The Wildcats host a preseason tournament the following week.
Photo by Steven Schwartz
Marmaton Valley High's Ashtynn Louk, left, dribbles against defender Tessa Olson in a recent practice. At left, Emily Meiwes goes in for a layup. Below is coach Kent Houk.
Marmaton Valley Girls 2012-13 Basketball Roster Name Height Grade Kaylee Boyd 5-6 Sr. Kacie Shadden 5-6 Sr. Mariah Cavender 5-2 Sr. Emily Meiwes 5-10 Jr. Kaitlin Ensminger 5-8 Jr.
Ashton Louk 5-5 Jr. Molly Hamlin 5-6 So. Tessa Olson 5-5 So. Tanna Lutz 5-3 Fr. Ruby Mann 5-4 Fr. Mackenzie Tynon 6-0 Fr. Head Coach: Kent Houk Assistant Coach: Lori Stephens
Marmaton Valley 2012-13 Basketball Schedule Nov. 30 — at Uniontown Dec. 4, 6, 7 — MVHS Preseason Tournament Dec. 11 — Jayhawk-Linn Dec. 18 — Humboldt Jan. 4 — Crest Jan. 8 —at St. Paul Jan. 14, 17, 19 — at Southeast Lancer Classic Jan. 22 — at Oswego Jan. 25 — Pleasanton Jan. 29 — at Altoona-Midway Feb. 1 — Uniontown Feb. 5 — Northeast-Arma Feb. 8 — Southern Coffey County Feb. 12 — at Chetopa Feb. 15 — at Pleasanton Feb. 21 — at West Franklin Feb. 25-March 1 — Substate Tourney, TBA Home games in bold