Forum Winter Sports Preview

The Maryville Forum’s

Winter Sports Preview Boys Sports Edition

Earning Their Shot Spoofhound seniors take center stage this season Spoofhound wrestlers eye bounceback after injuryplagued year — Page D3

Bluejays look to take next step in Year 3 under Rory Jackson — Page D8

D2

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

MARYVILLE BOYS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Maryville boys basketball: front row (from left); Trey Houchin, Justin Staples, Ben Walker, Marc Gustafson, Caleb Kreizinger, Brady Farnan; second row; Jaxson Staples, Tegan Haer, Jesus Flores, Spencer Willnerd, Malachi Bloomquist, Caden Stoecklein, Truett Haer; third row; Carter Phillips, Adam Patton, Marcus Henggeler, Drew Burns, Riley Brown, Tyler Jones; fourth row; Landon Libhart, Cooper Gastler, Colton Eighmy and Royse Laffey. Not pictured: Mason Renshaw, Spencer Scott, Keaton Stone, Blake Katen, Peyton Calfee, Boston Hageman, Delton Davis, Derek Quinlin, Don Allen, Wyatt Garner, Layne Ziegler and Jackson Nielson.

Hounds set to replace top two scorers

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

M

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Maryville forward Marc Gustafson goes up for a shot against Savannah last season in Maryville.

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aryville already had a lot to replace this year, namely the loss to top scorer and Emporia State signee Tate Oglesby, but the Hounds were dealt another blow before the season even got going with senior forward Ben Walker injuring his knee in the season opener of football season and slated to miss the season.

Oglesby and Walker were the team’s two leaders in scoring, rebounding and assists last season.

Despite those losses, the Spoofhounds return a tightknit group who all broke into the varsity lineup last season together and are looking to take the next step this season.

“I’m pretty excited to see what we can do chemistrywise with this team,” Spoofhound senior Caleb Kreizinger said. “We have a lot of experience together.

“Last year was a good experience. We all learned a lot from Tate because none of us besides Ben had a lot of experience. Tate kind of took us in and showed us how varsity basketball worked. I think now that we have the varsity experience, we will really be ready for the season.”

Sophomore Caden Stoecklein headlines that group as the team’s point guard and their third-leading scorer a year ago.

Stoecklein, a 6-foot tall guard, averaged 9.4 points per game last season with two assists per game and just 1.5 turnovers. He was also an 80 percent freethrow shooter and second on the team in minutes played.

“Caden is reliable in every aspect,” Kreizinger said.

Joining the sophomore in the backcourt is senior Trey Houchin.

Houchin lived up to his first name and was primarily a 3-point threat last season with six of his 7.4 shot attempts per game last season being from beyond the arc.

He averaged seven points per game.

“Shooting the ball is still my go-to,” Houchin said on

Schedule

This week...............................Savannah Tournament Fri., Dec. 11....................................... v. Platte Valley Mon., Dec. 14.................................at East Buchanan Thurs., Dec. 17............................ at Bishop LeBlond Fri., Dec. 18................................................at Benton Mon., Jan. 4...............................................at Lathrop Thurs., Jan. 7.......................................... at Lafayette Mon., Jan. 11................... Oak Grove at Kansas City Tues., Jan. 12...............................................v. Center Sat., Jan. 16.......................... Glenwood at NWMSU Fri., Jan. 22.............................................at Savannah Mon. Jan. 25........................... Cameron Tournament Tues., Jan. 26.......................... Cameron Tournament Wed., Jan. 27.......................... Cameron Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28........................ Cameron Tournament Fri., Jan. 29............................. Cameron Tournament Sat., Jan. 30............................ Cameron Tournament Thurs., Feb. 4..............................................v. Penney Fri., Feb. 5............................................. v. St. Pius X Sat., Feb. 6.................... v. Southeast (KC) at Benton Tues., Feb. 9............................................at Cameron Thurs., Feb. 11...........................................v. Atlantic Fri., Feb. 12................................................ v. Benton Fri. Feb. 19............................................. v. Savannah Thurs., Feb. 25......................................v. Chillicothe

‘We all know what we can do.

This year it will be really exciting to see what we can do.’ ­‑ Trey Houchin Maryville senior

what he sees his role as this season. “Passing the ball a little more, bringing up the ball a little more and helping out Caden a little bit with point guard (responsibilities), that is what I got this year.”

Senior Caleb Kreizinger also returns on the wing for Maryville. The 6-foot-1 guard scored 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

In the post, Marc Gustafson is the big returnee.

Big is the correct term as well for the 6-foot-9 senior.

Last season, Gustafson was third on the team in plus-minus and was tied with Walker as the secondleading rebounder at 5.8 boards per game. He averaged 6.7 points and 1.3 blocks per game.

“Our senior group, we’ve been playing together since sixth grade,” Houchin said.

“We all know what we can do. This year it will be really exciting to see what we can do.”

Walker would have likely filled the other frontcourt spot, but with him out, sophomore Keaton Stone may be the top contender to fill that spot. The 6-foot-4 forward played club ball this summer along with Caden Stoecklein and will surely see his role grow whether he is a starter or not.

“A big thing that we have now is Keaton Stone,” Kreizinger said. “He has shot up in height and I think he has put on a little weight. Skill-wise, he will help us out a lot.”

Brady Farnan and Justin Staples also return as seniors after playing in 16 and 12 games respectively last season. They will likely become more permanent pieces of the rotation with the departures of Tylan Perry and Kelby Derr in addition to Oglesby and Walker.

Sophomore Drew Burns and junior Spencer Willnerd also return after seeing minutes for the team last season.

After having their fouryear streak of district championships snapped last season, the Spoofhounds know what is on the top of their to-do list this season.

“Our goal is kind of redemption from last year,” Houchin said. “We thought we could win districts last year, and it didn’t come out the way we wanted, but this year, we hope to go farther

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Thursday, December 3, 2020

D3

MARYVILLE WRESTLING

Hounds look for healthy, memorable season

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

T

he rest of the state is learning how to deal with the week-toweek uncertainty of who is and isn’t going to be in the lineup for a certain contest.

The Maryville wrestling program already endured a crash course in that subject last season.

Injuries ravaged the Spoofhounds’ season a year ago, including key ones to returning state qualifiers Connor Weiss and Drew Spire.

“Freshman and sophomore year, I was just so used to competing,” Weiss said. “Junior year, I wasn’t able to so it just feels good to be back and doing what I am capable of doing.”

The plus side for the Hounds is that both Spire and Weiss return as upperclassmen this season to lead the team — along with senior Keiran Watkins — in what they hope to be a bounceback season.

“We are expecting quite a few people to return to state,” Maryville assistant coach Howard Dumke said.

Spire made the state tournament as a freshman in 2019 while Weiss made it in 2019 and 2018 and Watkins has advanced that far the last two seasons.

“We’ve got a board up in our wrestling room with all the names of past wrestlers here who have placed at state or won state,” Watkins said. “Ever since I was a little guy, I always remember looking up at that board and that being

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Maryville wrestling: front row (from left); Tucker Turner, Braden Wallace, Colton Berry, Maven Vette, Zeke Adamson, Erich McEwen; second row; assistant coach Aiden Perry, Kort Watkins, Connor Weiss, Keiren Watkins, Drew Spire and assistant coach Howard Dumke. Not pictured: Tanner Turner and coach Dallas Barrett. something that I wanted to do someday.

“This is my last chance and hopefully I get to achieve that goal that I’ve had since I was in elementary school.”

Another potential state qualifier returning is sophomore Kort Watkins who made it within one match of securing a spot in Columbia last season.

Weiss says that he hopes he and the senior class are able to leave their mark on the culture of the wrestling program.

“It is definitely important,” Weiss said. “I have to leave my footprint at Maryville High School,

especially with wrestling.

I have to be the best person that I can be to put the coaches in the best position to coach and improve the program for years to come.”

The Spoofhounds also are buoyed by the addition of six freshmen who will help them fill out the lighter weights on the roster and become more of a threat to win dual meets without open weight classes.

Among those key additions include freshmen Tucker and Tanner Turner.

“This year we’ve got the Turner boys (Tucker and Tanner) as well as some other fresh faces who will be able to take some of those

other lighter spots,” Keiran Watkins said. “That should help us win as a team.”

On the girls side of things, sophomore Katie Weiss is team’s top returner after going 16-2 last year and falling one match short of the state meet.

Aside from Weiss, the rest of the girls roster includes junior Keelie Strating, sophomore Avery White and freshman Mohoganie Thomas.

The boys have their first event tonight in Clarinda while the girls travel to the Central Tournament on Friday. The first event together will be Wednesday’s triangular in Winnetonka.

Schedule

*Thurs., Dec. 3...........................Triangular at Clarinda +Fri., Dec. 4.......... Tournament at Central (St. Joseph) Wed., Dec. 9......................... Triangular at Winnetonka *Sat., Dec. 12..............................Tournament at Lenox Tues., Dec. 15..............................Triangular at Penney Thurs., Dec. 17.................................Quad at Stanberry *Sat., Dec. 19.................... Tournament at Shenandoah Thurs., Jan. 7.....................................Quad at Cameron Sat., Jan. 9.....................Tournament at Mid-Buchanan *Thurs., Jan. 14........................Triangular at Falls City *Sat., Jan. 16.........................Tournament at Plattsburg + Mon., Jan. 18.....................Tournament at Plattsburg Thurs., Jan. 21..........................Triangular at Maryville Sat., Jan. 23........................................ MECs at Benton Tues., Jan. 26................................Triangular at Benton *Thurs., Jan. 28.......................... Triangular at Bedford *Sat., Jan. 30......................... Tournament at Maryville Tues., Feb. 2............................ Triangular at Plattsburg

* - Boys only event; + - Girls only event

S D

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Maryville RII School District Maryville, MO

D4

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

WEST NODAWAY BOYS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

West Nodaway boys basketball: front row (from left); Riley Blay, Hunter Dawson, Bracxten Rohlmeier, Michael Cook, Xander Kent, Kadon Conn; second row; assistant coach Cole Thompson, Jordan Phillips, Ethan Rohr, Wyatt Ingraham, Dawson Fast, Tyler Blay, Trace Coates and head coach Brandon Phipps.

Rockets set sights on winning season

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

N

o area basketball team can boast the experience that West Nodaway can, heading into this season with five starters returning.

No boys basketball player in the area can boast to accomplishments that senior Tyler Blay can either. The state champion in cross country is already a 1,000-point scorer at West Nodaway after starting for just two seasons.

“My main goal this season is just to have a winning record,” Blay said. “Coming off of (cross country), I’m excited just to win as a team.

I’ve accomplished my goals.”

Last season, Blay began to turn his focus more to cross-country, but that didn’t take much away from his numbers in the winter.

Blay averaged 20 points per game and 7.4 rebounds last season to lead the team in both categories.

With the senior already committed to Missouri Western as a runner, he is looking forward to his final season on the court.

“I’m super excited for this,” Blay said.

The excitement for Blay and the Rockets is that the star forward should be getting a lot more help this season.

“Tyler Blay is a great player, but I know we have

Schedule

This week............................................PVI Tournament Fri., Dec. 11....................................................at Albany Tues., Dec. 15....................................... v. Platte Valley Fri., Dec. 18........................................... at Mound City Tues., Dec. 22............................v. St. Joseph Christian Mon., Jan. 4......................................... v. East Atchison Tues., Jan. 5......................................at North Nodaway Fri., Jan. 8................................................ v. Union Star Mon., Jan. 11..................................Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12..................................Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13..................................Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14................................Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15....................................Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16....................................Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19......................................at Nodaway-Holt Fri. Jan. 22...............................at Stewartsville/Osborn Tues., Feb. 2............................................. at South Holt Thurs., Feb. 5...............................................at Clarinda Tues., Feb. 9...............................v. Northland Christian Fri., Feb. 12............................................... at Rock Port Tues., Feb. 16................................................ v. DeKalb Thurs. Feb. 18............................at Northeast Nodaway some really, really good talent behind him who can play as a team and put a lot of points up,” second-year coach Brandon Phipps said.

After Blay’s freshman campaign, the entire team around him changed with graduations and transfers and the team began to break in an entirely new backcourt. That backcourt was then and continues to be led

by Hunter Dawson.

“It is definitely an advantage,” Blay said. “We have, probably, one of the most experienced teams around here since we’ve been playing together for three years now.”

The junior is entering his third season as the team’s point guard and saw his numbers improve to 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game as a sophomore.

“Winning record, play as a team, compete and just have fun while doing it,” Dawson said of the team’s goals.

Now an upperclassman, Dawson is looking forward to trying to take the team to new heights.

Alongside Dawson in the backcourt is another thirdyear starter with Dawson Fast. While Dawson was the team’s most reliable outside shooter last year, Fast was

FORUM FILE PHOTO

West Nodaway forward Tyler Blay drives to the basket against Falls City last season in Burlington Junction. more of a slasher and scored 7.3 points per game while grabbing 5.8 rebounds.

“Our speed is a big advantage,” Dawson said. “We are going to push the ball a lot and just use our speed to our advantage as much as we can.”

Phipps agrees that speed is a key to the season.

“We’ve got a lot of basketball players as I like to say,” Phillips said. “They are athletic, they are fast, they like to get to the rim and they can shoot as well.

The biggest thing is that we have to use that athleticism on the defensive end, be really physical down there.

We are athletic, but we do lack some beef to us. Just being speedy, being quick with our feet is going to be a big thing for us.”

On the other wing, the Rockets return another 3-point threat in sophomore Bracxten Rohlmeier.

Of Rohlmeier’s 8.1 shots per game, 6.2 of them were from three. He averaged 8.1 points per game and a pair of assists.

“Even from his freshman year, he has gotten more physical,” Blay said.

Senior Grant Atkins returns alongside Blay in the post. While Blay likes to face up and play on the out-

side, Atkins is more of a traditional inside player.

“It is really cool having everybody back this year,” Atkins said.

Atkins averaged 5.7 rebounds per game while scoring 5.4 a night.

“Grant’s post game has changed in one year dramatically,” Blay said.

Junior Wyatt Ingraham also returns after playing eight minutes a game last season.

The Rockets add to their experienced roster with a freshman class who already enters the season with some fall accolades. Michael Cook made an impact on the Musket football team this season and Riley Blay, Tyler’s little brother, was a state cross-country medalist.

With all their returning talent, the Rockets are looking for a breakout season this year and to climb above .500 as a program for the first time since 2014-2015.

“I just want to compete at all costs,” Phipps said. “I’m not going to sit here and say we are going to win the conference, but I want to put West Nodaway on the map — that is across the state.

“You can take that with what it may be, but I want people to respect us, respect the way we play, the way we compete, the way we are disciplined on offense and defense. That is my biggest thing: just making sure we are respected.”

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The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Thursday, December 3, 2020

D5

NORTH NODAWAY BOYS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

North Nodaway boys basketball: front row (from left); Jordan Jenkins, Brice Trimble, Aydan Blackford, Ethan Fry, Preston Hanson; second row; assistant coach Chanse Houghton, Darron Bix, Karson Oberhauser, Andrew Blackford, Damian Dailey, Jeremiah Dobbins and coach Michael Trautz. Not pictured: Dakota Wray.

Trautz takes over Mustang program

By JON DYKSTRA

Schedule

The Forum

N

orth Nodaway fans have become accustomed to looking down to the sidelines and seeing Jake Shipman, but with Shipman taking the athletic director’s position at Mound City this season, Michael Trautz slides down one spot from the assistant’s chair to the head coach’s place.

“I learned a lot from Coach Shipman in my time here,” Trautz said. “We always play to the style that fits our kids because we aren’t a big enough school to have a system and make our kids fit the systems. We have to have the system fit our kids.”

Trautz, who has been an assistant coach with the football and basketball programs, is excited for his first head coaching opportunity and the group he inherits.

“I think it was so cool to be an assistant coach already where I get to be a head coach,” Trautz said. “I know these kids already. I know what a good group of kids they are. I know what their strengths and weaknesses are. For my first opportunity as a head coach — with this group of kids — I couldn’t ask for a better situation to fall into.”

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

North Nodaway forward Karson Oberhauser shoots a three against North Harrison last week in Eagleville.

The group he inherits does have some holes to fill with its top three scorers from last year — Tyler Bix, Ryan Riley and Austin Bird — needing to be replaced.

Bix and Riley each averaged just over 11 points per game while Bird was at 9.4.

One of the key players who does return is senior Karson Oberhauser. Oberhauser is a familiar player to Mustang fans, not only as a key player for Mustang basketball, but as the quarterback of the Musket football team.

“He was our defensive

tank last year,” Trautz said.

“He was the guy we said to go guard this kid and he doesn’t score. He did that for us last year.”

Oberhauser was the team’s fourth-leading scorer last season at seven points per game. The senior has a football player’s build and is capable of being a force in the paint, but also has range out to the 3-point arc.

Oberhauser grabbed 6.9 rebounds per game.

“Do better than last year, just improve all the way around with shooting and defense,” Oberhauser an-

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This week............................................ PVI Tournament Thurs., Dec. 10..............................................v. Bedford Tues., Dec. 15.................................... at Nodaway-Holt Thurs., Dec. 17......................... v. Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 18........................................... at Mound City Tues., Dec. 22.......................... at Stewartsville/Osborn Tues., Jan. 5........................................v. West Nodaway Thurs., Jan. 7.......................................... at Gilman City Mon., Jan. 11.................................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12.................................. Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13.................................. Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14................................ Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.................................... Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.................................... Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19..............................................v. Rock Port Fri. Jan. 22................................. v. Northeast Nodaway Tues., Feb. 2.................................................. at DeKalb Thurs., Feb. 5.........................................at Platte Valley Tues., Feb. 9............................................v. Mound City Thurs., Feb. 11.................................... at Worth County Fri., Feb. 12..........................................v. East Atchison Tues., Feb. 16............................................. at King City Thurs. Feb. 18.......................................... at Union Star swered when asked about his personal goals. “There are just a lot of areas I can still improve on.”

While Oberhauser will be counted on to expand on his offensive game, senior Andrew Blackford is going to be looked at to step up his scoring this season. Blackford scored 5.8 points per game last season.

“I have to step up, but we have more players who will help out too,” Blackford said.

The senior guard was the team’s second-best longrange shooter last season at

27. 5 percent from three. He hopes to see that percentage climb further this season.

“I think he is going to make some bounds and I think he is going to surprise some people,” Trautz said.

Outside of Blackford and Oberhauser, the Mustangs don’t return very much varsity experience, but Blackford’s younger brother Aydan Blackford seems poised to add some more offensive pop to the lineup.

“My brother is playing,” Andrew Blackford said. “He has been stepping up and doing a good job.”

In last week’s season opener at North Harrison, the freshman scored 22 points and took on the top defensive assignment for the majority of the night.

Aydan Blackford is another familiar name to Musket football fans as he was a top target for Oberhauser on the football field.

Another freshman who flashed in the opener was Ethan Fry, who was the team’s second-leading scorer. Fry’s role wasn’t as certain as his classmate’s prior to that game but he impressed his coaches.

In the paint, sophomore Damian Dailey was a strong presence against North Harrison and figures to play a lot of minutes in the frontcourt this season.

“Damian Dailey has grown,” Trautz said. “He played a lot of J.V. for us last year as a freshman, so as a sophomore, he is looking to be our post presence.”

Senior Jordan Jenkins also joined the basketball team this season and Trautz likes the potential that he provides. Jenkins has been a stalwart on the Musket football team the past couple seasons.

With the new faces showing potential early on, the Mustangs are excited for what this season may bring.

“We just have to put in the good work and get after it,” Andrew Blackford said.

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D6

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

PLATTE VALLEY BOYS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Platte Valley boys basketball: front row (from left); Matt Jermain, Lane Acklin, Trever McQueen, Gabe Nothstine, Levi Burch, Quenton Manship, Micah Wolf; second row; Carter Luke, Alex Mattson, Wyatt Tobin, Memphis Bliley, Brandon McQueen, Ethan Holtman; third row; Jacob Peery, Lucas Terry, Hayden Ferry, Trevor Weir, Wyatt Miller and Trevor McCrary. Not pictured: Ethan Hammett and Ean Meyer.

Platte Valley eyes return to final four

By JON DYKSTRA

Schedule

The Forum

T

rever McQueen has seen some major changes in his time as a varsity basketball player — some as major as a co-op and a change in the team’s name after his sophomore year.

But his role has also changed greatly each season.

McQueen was a lightly used guard as a sophomore playing behind Koby Stoll, Nate Jermain, Steven Chor and Dalton Luke on a Jefferson team that won the state championship. As a junior, he joined the starting lineup alongside Chor and Luke as well as All-State players Chase Farnan and Clayton Merrigan.

McQueen ended up being Platte Valley’s third-leading scorer in the first year of the co-op, and the team returned to the final four, losing to eventual state champion Dora in a rematch of the title game from the year before.

“Trever McQueen was a starter last year and really developed into a really good shooter for us,” Hall of Fame coach Tim Jermain said. “He really played well in the state semifinal game.

He is definitely the one who returns with the most experience.”

This week......................................Albany Tournament Tues., Dec. 8.................................... v. South Harrison Fri., Dec. 11...............................................at Maryville Tues., Dec. 15.................................. at West Nodaway Thurs., Dec. 17...................................v. North Andrew Sat., Dec. 19..............................v. Northland Christian Tues., Dec. 22...........................................v. Rock Port Tues., Jan. 5.................................................. v. DeKalb Fri., Jan. 8.................................at Northeast Nodaway Mon., Jan. 11.............................Stanberry Tournament Tues., Jan. 12.............................Stanberry Tournament Wed., Jan. 13.............................Stanberry Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14...........................Stanberry Tournament Fri., Jan. 15...............................Stanberry Tournament Sat., Jan. 16...............................Stanberry Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14...........................................at St. Pius X Tues., Jan. 19.....................................at Mid-Buchanan Mon. Jan. 25..........................North Platte Tournament Tues., Jan. 26.........................North Platte Tournament Wed., Jan. 27.........................North Platte Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28.......................North Platte Tournament Fri., Jan. 29...........................North Platte Tournament Sat., Jan. 30...........................North Platte Tournament Tues., Feb. 2.......................................... at Mound City Fri., Feb. 5....................................... v. North Nodaway Tues., Feb. 9............................................ v. Union Star Fri., Feb. 12.......................................at Nodaway-Holt Tues., Feb. 16.......................................... at South Holt Thurs. Feb. 18......................................v. Stewartsville

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Platte Valley guard Trever McQueen goes up for a layup last season against DeKalb in DeKalb.

This season, McQueen’s role shifts further as he is the only returning starter on the team and will be looked

to as the leader.

“I’m really excited to get back to it,” McQueen said.

“We have a young team

GO TEAMS!

PLATTE VALLEY

South Nodaway/Jefferson

and a lot of potential this year.”

Last season, McQueen averaged 9.8 points per game and shot over 50 percent overall and over 40 percent from 3-point range.

His open looks will likely cut down as he becomes more a focal point for opposing defense, but he is ready for that challenge.

“My main focus is that I have to be a leader and do what is best for my team and lead the younger kids so they can be leaders when they are older,” McQueen said.

McQueen will also be looking to add to his assist count this season. With all the experience on the team last year, he wasn’t asked to be as much of a facilitator, but this year, that changes.

Gabe Nothstine has also seen his share of changes in his program. A South Nodaway student, Nothstine was the biggest contributor to last year’s Platte Valley team out of the former Longhorns.

“It is exciting,” Nothstine said of the competition in practice. “There are a lot of spots open whereas last year, they kind of knew who the group was, but this year, it is pushing a lot of kids to work to their best potential, I think.”

The forward was the team’s sixth man last season behind Farnan and Merrigan in the frontcourt. Nothstine averaged 5.7 points and two rebounds a game last year.

“He came off the bench,” Jermain said. “He played really well in the district tournament. There were games where he got quite a few minutes and other games where he played just a few minutes.”

Nothstine also built up his body in the offseason at basic combat training.

“It just improved me physically better than any sport ever could,” Nothstine said. “It was three months of pure working out.”

Those numbers are sure to spike this season with him likely stepping into the starting lineup.

Another returner likely to see a huge increase in his role is sophomore Matt Jermain. The coach’s son made 36 percent of his 3-point attempts last season with 36

of his 48 shots coming from beyond the arc and scored 2.2 points per game in limited minutes.

“We do return some players,” Tim Jermain said. “I know they don’t have a lot of playing time, but they have certainly learned from the bunch we’ve had the last couple years. I know they are excited for their opportunity. I know they are excited about keeping the tradition going, so to speak.”

Memphis Bliley also saw some minutes as a freshman and should see plenty more as a sophomore.

“Memphis and Matt — it is both their sophomore seasons — they played a lot last year against the varsity and gave us a good look on what most team’s had,” McQueen said.

Just because the roster has turned over doesn’t mean the goals have changed.

“The goal is to be back where we were last year — just as good,” McQueen said. “I think we have the team to do it, we have the skill and want to be right back in the same place as last year.”

Nothstine agrees.

“Same goal as always: go back to state and win as far as can,” Nothstine said.

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Thursday, December 3, 2020

D7

NODAWAY-HOLT BOYS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Nodaway-Holt boys basketball: front row (from left); Noah Farnan, Hunter Clement, Blake Bohannon, Caleb Kirk; second row; Wyatt Wakely, Skyler Chestnut, Reece Walker and Brilyn DeVers. Not pictured: Gavin Leeper, Chase Goff, James Herr, Clay Hanson, John Furhman, Gage Johnson and Parker Prettyman.

Barbosa inherits Trojan program

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

T

he Trojans had a 28-game losing streak partway through last season, but Nodaway-Holt was able to snap that streak with a 52-47 win over Union Star. This season, the Trojans will be looking to add to that win count.

They will have a new coach at the helm as they attempt to climb the conference and district standings.

“I’ve liked the way he (Michael Barbosa) is going about,” Nodaway-Holt senior Brilyn DeVers said.

“His game plan sounds really strong and I am thinking that he is going to be able to produce a good program here for as long as he is here for.”

Barbosa is NodawayHolt’s third coach in the last three season but comes in with plenty of experience in the area after serving as an assistant coach at Maryville.

“I feel like he has brought a lot more of a defensive mindset,” Trojan sophomore Blake Bohannon said.

“We are a lot more aggressive on defense.”

Barbosa inherits a roster led by DeVers. The Trojan guard has been through the struggles of the last two years as a starter on two team’s which combined for one win.

“I’m really excited to play with this new team,” DeVers said. “We are going to be a lot better this year I hope. We are just really looking for improvement.

“Its been a long journey.

Watching everyone slowly improve these last few years has honestly been really cool. Watching people who were barely able to shoot a basket to be able to consistently do it is really cool.”

DeVers led the team in scoring both seasons and finished with a 12.8 points per game average as a junior. He was also the team’s leader in steals with three per game and assists with 2.1 per game.

“I feel like we’ve all kind of developed our game to complement his,” Bohannon said.

The guard was also second on the team in both blocks and rebounds. He shot 26 percent from be-

Schedule

This week........................................... PVI Tournament Mon., Dec. 7.............................at Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 11.........................................v. Worth County Tues., Dec. 15..................................v. North Nodaway Fri., Dec. 18.............................................at Union Star Mon., Dec. 21............................................ at King City Tues. Dec. 22....................................v. North Harrison Tues., Jan. 5..............................................v. South Holt Fri., Jan. 8............................... at Stewartsville/Osborn Mon., Jan. 11................................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12................................. Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13................................. Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14............................... Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15................................... Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16................................... Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19..................................... v. West Nodaway Fri. Jan. 22................................................ at Rock Port Thurs., Feb. 5................................................at DeKalb Tues., Feb. 9.............................. v. Northeast Nodaway Fri., Feb. 12........................................... v. Platte Valley Tues., Feb. 16.........................................v. Mound City Thurs. Feb. 18..................................... at East Atchison hind the arc and 60 percent from the free-throw line.

“For my part, it’s being able to distribute the ball so our whole team can get on the board,” DeVers said of his focus going into the season. “Having confidence in my teammates to know that they can knock down shots in critical moments of the game.”

DeVers should have more help in the scoring department this season after Blake Bohannon had a breakout freshman year last season. Bohannon was third on the team in scoring with six points per game, just behind 2020 graduate Tommy Dye’s 6.1 points per game.

“I’ve seen him improve dramatically,” DeVers said of Bohannon. “Just from watching him come in as a freshman, get that starting role right off the bat and having a lot of pressure on him — he handled it really well. He improved a lot over the summer and I’m thinking he might even be our top scorer.”

Bohannon filled up the stat sheet as well as he was second on the team in both assists and steals.

Finding a third scorer behind DeVers and Bohannon will be a key for the Trojans this season with the next highest returning scorer averaging just 2.6 points a night.

The Trojans believe that junior Gavin Leeper could be poised for that breakout year. Leeper averaged 2.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

“I think he is going to be successful in our offense, moving and cutting without the ball,” Barbosa said.

With DeVers, Bohannon and Leeper on the perimeter, junior Noah Farnan returns as the team’s top post player. Farnan led the team with 4.8 rebounds per game and also scored 2.4 points a night.

“Noah Farnan and Gavin Leeper are going to make big statements this year,” DeVers said.

Senior Hunter Clement gives the team another experienced play in the post after averaging two points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

James Herr also returns to the frontcourt after a breakout junior season in football. Herr averaged 1.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

“James Herr is a football boy, a big ol’ boy,” Barbosa said. “He did a lot of good work for us throughout the summer. I am really excited to see what he can do for us this season.”

The Trojans also return Wyatt Wakely, Caleb Kirk and Clay Hanson — each of whom saw minutes last season.

With Barbosa leading the way and the return of so much of their core, the Trojans are poised to have their best season in the last few years.

“My goal for the team is just to improve,” DeVers said. “I don’t really care if we win two games — that is one more than last year — all I want is improvement.”

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Nodaway-Holt guard Brilyn Devers handles the ball against Rock Port last season in Rock Port.

GO TROJANS!

NODAWAY-HOLT R-VII • GRAHAM, MO

D8

Thursday, December 3, 2020

NORTHEAST NODAWAY BOYS BASKETBALL

Junior class guides Bluejays

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

T

he Northeast Nodaway Bluejays are missing something from their roster — a senior. The Jays enter the winter without a single senior on the roster.

However, the Jays certainly aren’t lacking for talent headed into the season. That fact was on full display in the Jays rout of perennial powerhouse Mercer 67-36 in the season opener last week.

“We are excited,” Northeast Nodaway coach Rory Jackson said. “We’ve got a good group of kids. … The kids have been working hard and they are ready to get started.”

In that game, junior forward Auston Pride led the way with 24 points as he controlled the paint.

Pride averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, but has obviously gotten off to an even stronger start this season.

“I feel like I’m shooting a lot better,” Pride said. “And definitely working on free throws.”

Pride is embracing his role as the team’s big man with a guard-heavy lineup around him.

“I’ve definitely got to work hard in practice and off the court as well,” Pride said.

“We don’t have a lot of big men so I’ve really got to focus on being strong down there.”

One of those guards is 3-year starter and 2020 Second Team All-275 Conference point guard Ben Boswell.

“This year, we are looking to push the ball because I think we have some speed,” Boswell said.

Boswell began his Bluejay career learning alongside Spencer Weir and Chet Spire when Boswell was a freshman, but after that class graduated, Boswell ascended into a leading role last season.

“There are responsibilities,” Boswell said of being a leader. “You have to lead as an example for your team and especially for the younger ones so they can learn and they can take this position in the future.”

As a sophomore, Boswell averaged 13.3 points, three assists and two steals per game. Boswell scored 15 in the win over Mercer.

With five seniors graduating last year — Ethan Adwell, Mitchell Sherry, Rory Bredlow, Reed McIntyre and Mitchell Sherry — the Jays will be counting on several young players to play significant roles.

Sophomore Dylan McIntyre will see his role expanded this season and was third on the team in scoring in the opener with 14 points.

“Dylan McIntyre was a freshman last year,” Pride said. “He is stepping up a lot.

We are playing well as a team and it should be a good year.”

Juniors Lane Dack, Zachary Pride and Colton Swalley will also all see more playing time as the year goes on.

“That is like the team we used to have,” Boswell said of his fellow juniors. “That is what is really going to pace up our game and we can all shoot.”

The Bluejays bring in a trio

of freshmen — all of which will have the opportunity for minutes on a team with just 10 players. Against Mercer, Christopher Kephart led the freshman scorers with eight.

“We are fast,” Jackson said. “I mean, we are really quick. We aren’t big at all, but we are definitely fast.”

The Bluejays also boast a very accomplished coach with Jackson entering his third year with the program. Prior to Northeast Nodaway, Jackson coached at North Andrew where he was 64-21 in three seasons with three conference

titles and two district titles.

“Like any year, I’ve really just told the guys that our main goal is just to win each day and try to get better,” Jackson said. “It is a process.

It is a long haul and a long season. Our goal is to get better each and every day.

With a six-man junior class, who have all learned under Jackson for three years, the Jays enter this season with eyes on a jump up the conference and district standings.

“Our main goal this year is to do a lot better than last year,” Boswell said.

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Schedule

This week........................................... PVI Tournament Tues., Dec. 8...................................... at Worth County Thurs., Dec. 10...........................................at Stanberry Fri., Dec. 11............................................... v. King City Tues., Dec. 15..........................v. Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 18.............................................. at Rock Port Tues., Dec. 22...............................................v. DeKalb Fri., Jan. 8............................................. v. Platte Valley Tues., Jan. 19..........................................at Mound City Fri. Jan. 22...................................... at North Nodaway Mon., Jan. 25.............................King City Tournament Tues., Jan. 26.............................King City Tournament Wed., Jan. 27............................King City Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28...........................King City Tournament Fri., Jan. 29...............................King City Tournament Tues., Feb. 2........................................ v. East Atchison Thurs., Feb. 5...........................................v. Union Star Tues., Feb. 9...................................... at Nodaway-Holt Fri., Feb. 12..............................................at South Holt Tues., Feb. 16.......................... v. Stewartsville/Osborn Thurs. Feb. 18................................... v. West Nodaway

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Northeast Nodaway boys basketball: front row (from left); Colton Swalley, Ben Boswell, Zachary Pride, Brycen Kennard; second row; Dylan McIntyre, Lane Dack, Auston Pride and Chris Kephart. Not pictured: Trenton Hartley and Brayden Munns.

The Maryville Forum’s

Winter Sports Preview Girls Sports Edition

History Repeating?

After volleyball state title, Spoofhounds eye another Platte Valley’s veteran group strives for a run to a state championship — Page E6

Mustangs shoot for breakout season with returning core — Page E7

E2

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

MARYVILLE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Spoofhounds search for more history

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

L

ast month, Maryville made history with its first-ever state title in a girls sport as the Spoofhound volleyball team won the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship. Now, the Spoofhound basketball team looks to double that trophy count.

“We are very fortunate that the last couple years, even though we have been successful, we did it with a young group of kids,” Maryville coach Quentin Albrecht said. “Now that group is a bunch of seasoned veterans led by Serena Sundell and Emily Cassavaugh as seniors.

“You take the talent and you add some experience, especially some big-game experience. … I think that combination of talent and experience is really going to lead to good things for us.

We are very excited about that. We have not had that combination since we’ve been here.”

The volleyball team was led by the best player in the state with senior Serena Sundell, and the good news for the basketball team is that this is the sport she is most known for. Sundell, who is committed to play collegiately at Kansas State, was the Class 3 Player of the Year last season.

“There are still a few records that I am looking to reach and break, but mostly I am just focused on the team this year,” Sundell said. “I want to be undefeat-

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Maryville girls basketball: front row (from left); Presley Ingram, Ava Dumke, McKenna Taylor, Serena Sundell, Emily Cassavaugh, Rylee Vierthaler, Lauren Cullin; second row; Bryna Grow, Halle Buck, Anastyn Pettlon, Cailyn Auffert, Ella Everhart, Rachel Shields, Lauren Jaster, Kennedy Kurz, Tatum Burson; third row; assistant coach Chase Tolson, assistant coach Kelly Obley, head coach Quentin Albrecht and manager Kendall Harkrider. Not pictured: Abby Swink and Allison Roberts. ed at home, win the conference, win districts and make it to the state tournament.”

Sundell and company advanced to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs last season for the first time in nearly a decade. The Hounds lost a heartbreaker by three points to Macon in that round.

“We want to win districts — which is always going to be a tough game — make it through the sectional round, and hopefully go to state and do some crazy things there,” Sundell said.

For the season, Sundell led the Spoofhounds with

24.1 points, 2.9 assists and 3.3 steals per game. She was second on the team in blocks and rebounds, but was within a percentage point in both those categories.

While Sundell’s numbers are eye-popping, one of the most promising things about last season was the emergence of new weapons around Sundell to take some of the pressure off of her.

The player who most affected how Sundell was used is sophomore Anastyn Pettlon. Pettlon came in as a freshman and took over a lot of the ball-handling duties.

That allowed Sundell to

get open in other ways off the ball while the defense was not solely focused on her.

“Serena has always taken on every single responsibility that we have asked of her, so it was nice last year to say, we want you to do less,” Albrecht said. “By allowing her to actually do less, like less of the ball-handling, it allowed her to do more in other aspects of her game, like scoring, rebounding and defensively.

“Sometimes we talk about Serena and how she scores, passes and all those things on the offensive end, we forget that she is the best defender on the floor almost every game.”

Pettlon was the team’s second-leading scorer at 9.8 points per game and also matched Sundell in minutes played per night at 31.

She led the team in 3-point percentage at 34.4 percent while Sundell was at 34.1.

Rylee Vierthaler also returns for her sophomore season. Vierthaler gave the Hounds a post presence last season with her 54 percent shooting on 2-point shots being second on the team behind Sundell.

“I feel like Rylee and Anastyn are like a mini me and Serena,” Cassavaugh said. “Their connection is the same as ours. They can read each other’s minds and when you put all of us together, it’s a good team.”

Vierthaler led the team in rebounding with six per game and blocks with 1.3 per game while scoring 7.7 points per contest — third on the team.

“They are serious athletes,” Albrecht said of Vierthaler and Pettlon. “They take pride in what they do.

They spent a summer working and playing with their club team and they see highlevel competition there.

They have made tremendous strides.”

Joining Vierthaler on the block will be 3-year starter Emily Cassavaugh. The senior forward has been a contributor alongside Sundell for the program’s rise the last three seasons.

Last season, Cassavaugh took a slight step back in the scoring department with the emergence of the team’s freshmen, but still averaged 5.7 points per game — fourth on the team.

“I’m hoping to go farther than high school, that is my goal right now,” Cassavaugh said in reference to

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Maryville forward Emily Cassavaugh dribbles the ball last season against Smithville in Cameron.

Schedule

This week..................................Savannah Tournament Thurs., Dec. 10.................................at Southeast (KC) Fri., Dec. 11...........................................v. Platte Valley Tues., Dec. 29.................. Doane College Tournament Wed., Dec. 30................... Doane College Tournament Thurs., Jan. 7..............................................v. Lafayette Mon., Jan. 11.......................Oak Grove at Kansas City Tues., Jan. 12.....................................at East Buchanan Thurs., Jan. 14...........................................at St. Pius X Sat., Jan. 16..............................Glenwood at NWMSU Tues., Jan. 19.................................................at Penney Thurs., Jan. 21................................ v. Bishop LeBlond Mon. Jan. 25...............................Cameron Tournament Tues., Jan. 26..............................Cameron Tournament Wed., Jan. 27..............................Cameron Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28............................Cameron Tournament Fri., Jan. 29................................Cameron Tournament Sat., Jan. 30................................Cameron Tournament Tues., Feb. 2................................................. v. Lathrop Sat., Feb. 6.................. v. St. Joseph Central at Benton Tues., Feb. 9............................................ v. Chillicothe Thurs., Feb. 11.............................................. at Benton Mon., Feb. 15............................................. v. Cameron Thurs. Feb. 18........................................... at Savannah earning an opportunity to play college ball.

The only starter that the team will be replacing in the starting lineup will be Molly Renshaw, who while she didn’t score as much as the other starters filled the hustle role in the starting five as she was third on the team in both steals and deflections while leading the team in fouls.

If there was a loose ball, chances were that Renshaw was around it, but junior Lauren Cullin seems ready to fill that role.

Cullin, coming off a fall trip to state herself in tennis, was the team’s sixth man last season averaging 14 minutes per game. She grabbed 2.1 rebounds per game in those minutes.

“Lauren Cullin is going to step right into that spot that was vacated by Molly Renshaw,” Albrecht said. “That is the plan right now.”

The bench will be even a bigger area of emphasis this season with the uncertain provided by the possibilities of quarantines, but Albrecht

feels that his team is deeper this year than in years past with contributors such as senior McKenna Taylor, and sophomores Abby Swink, Halle Buck and Kennedy Kurz returning.

“They are going to provide us with something we sorely lacked the last few years, which is depth,” Albrecht said. “I really feel that this year we will be able to go seven, eight or maybe nine deep. Very honestly, we have a freshman coming in that I think, by the end of the year, will have an impact on our basketball team.”

Ava Dumke is that 5-foot10 freshman forward who Albrecht referenced.

“It takes talent and desire to win, but desire comes first,” Albrecht said. “She has the desire.”

The Spoofhounds certainly share that desire this season as they look to add to their legacy.

“We are looking to go far,” Cassavaugh said. “I’m not looking to stop early.

I’m ready to go all the way — end with a bang.”

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Thursday, December 3, 2020

E3

NODAWAY-HOLT GIRLS BASKETBALL

Veteran core leads Trojans into new year

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

N

odaway-Holt enters the 20202021 season with the enviable situation of returning four starters from last season’s squad. The Trojans will have new faces at two key spots though with a new head coach and a new point guard.

New coach Dustin Jenkins is no stranger to the Trojan program though as his daughter Kloe Jenkins has been a key player for Nodaway-Holt each of the last two seasons and is now going into her junior season.

“It is going pretty good,” Dustin Jenkins said. “We are pretty excited about it, being our first year coaching at this level. This girls seem to be falling in pretty good and working pretty well together.”

Kloe Jenkins says the first few weeks of practices have been a little strange with her dad being the coach, but she has quickly gotten used to it.

“Honestly, it hasn’t been too bad,” Kloe Jenkins said with a laugh. “I thought it would be a little rough at first, but we just got in and had to put our personal feeling aside when we do or don’t get along.”

Dustin Jenkins has coached many of the girls on this season’s team in the past at the youth level.

“The juniors this year, we have brought them up since the fourth grade, so we have had a lot of work with them,” Jenkins said.

While Jenkins is at the helm of the team, the floor general this season will be junior Kayelyn Edmondson.

Edmondson shifts our to the point guard spot from a starting wing spot last season following the graduation of three-year starter Halle Clement.

“I think Kayelyn will do an amazing job at replacing her, and she has the potential to be even better than Halle was,” Kloe Jenkins said.

Edmondson admits that is doesn’t have much experience at the point, but she is looking forward to embracing the challenge.

“I’ve never really done this, ever,” Edmondson said. “It is definitely something that I wasn’t comfortable with at first, but now I am gaining confidence and I am getting there.”

A point guard’s job is always a bit easier when they have a dominant presence in the paint to throw the ball to and that is exactly the luxury that Edmondson and the Trojans have with senior Shaina Culp.

Culp displayed her athleticism advantage in the 275

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Nodaway-Holt girls basketball: front row (from left); Breonna Waterman, Rileigh Brown, Natasha Abrams; second row; Kloe Jenkins, Alexis Maurer, Kayelyn Edmondson and Krista Hart. Not pictured: Shaina Culp and Kami Bellomy.

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Nodaway-Holt guard Kaylyn Edmondson saves a ball last season against Rock Port in Graham.

Conference throughout a with another experience ball dominant volleyball season handler and showed of her which saw the Trojans fin- decision making during volish as the district runners up. leyball season as the team’s The senior is a 3-year setter. starter and led the team in “I definitely think I’ve scoring and rebounding last gotten more confident over season. the years,” Hart said. “I just Kloe Jenkins is also re- hope to improve always beturning as a starter and the ing able to keep my head most experienced player on up no matter what and also the team outside of Culp having a positive attitude.” and Edmondson. The junior Sophomore Alexis Maugives her father and versa- rer also seems poised to join tile option capable of play- the starting lineup this seaing in the post or helping son as Edmondson shifts to Edmondson with the perim- point guard. Maurer gives eter playmaking. the Trojans additional size Krista Hart is also a re- this season in the place of turning starter at the guard Clement. spot. She provides the team “Alexis is pretty excited

to fill that fifth spot,” Kloe Jenkins said. “But there is also competition between Rileigh (Brown) and Natasha (Abrams). I wouldn’t say they are fist fighting, but they are definitely getting at it.”

The team’s bench looks to be made up similarly to what the team had during volleyball season where freshmen Breonna Waterman and Rileigh Brown played key roles. Natasha Abrams and Kami Bellomy add to the depth for the Trojans.

“We have three freshmen who have stepped up this year so that is exciting,” Dustin Jenkins said.

Schedule

This week............................................ PVI Tournament Mon., Dec. 7............................. at Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 11......................................... v. Worth County Tues., Dec. 15.................................. v. North Nodaway Fri., Dec. 18............................................. at Union Star Mon., Dec. 21............................................. at King City Tues. Dec. 22.....................................v. North Harrison Tues., Jan. 5...............................................v. South Holt Fri., Jan. 8................................ at Stewartsville/Osborn Mon., Jan. 11.................................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12.................................. Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13.................................. Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14................................ Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.................................... Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.................................... Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19......................................v. West Nodaway Fri. Jan. 22.................................................at Rock Port Thurs., Feb. 5................................................ at DeKalb Tues., Feb. 9............................... v. Northeast Nodaway Fri., Feb. 12............................................v. Platte Valley Tues., Feb. 16..........................................v. Mound City Thurs. Feb. 18......................................at East Atchison

E4

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

WEST NODAWAY GIRLS BASKETBALL

West Nodaway looks to turn corner as program under new coach’s leadership

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

O

ver the past eight seasons, the West Nodaway girls basketball program has only won more than three games once.

Erin Cook was a part of that 7-win season as a freshman and would like to climb back to that level again in her senior season to set the table for a talented group of junior high players to enter the varsity program next season.

“It is important for me to start this program up for those girls who are coming up,” Cook said. “I know 100 percent that half the girls who are on that junior high team now are going to be way better basketball players their starting years as freshmen and sophomores — we have girls coming up who have the skill, the mentality and the attitudes that they need to have to be a killer basketball team.”

A big part of establishing that positive culture will be first-year head coach Tim Conn. Conn is the former principal at North Nodaway and is also an assistant football coach at North Andrew, who just won a state championship last week.

“They are working hard,” Conn said. “We are trying to establish that what is in the past is the past and let’s build for the future. They are working hard.”

For Cook’s senior class, Conn is the fourth different coach they’ve had in four seasons.

“It is just a completely different mindset with whims our coach, it is so much more positive,” Cook said. “I feel like he is really in it to help us make those gains and change our culture.”

Conn inherits a group of players who have played a lot of minutes together.

The team returns four starters from last season’s 2-22 team.

Much of that experience returns in the backcourt.

Cook is set to become a four-year starter for the Rockets.

“I’m ready to get the season started off with the girls,” Cook said. “I really think we are on the right track this year. Our mindset and mentality is just com-

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

West Nodaway girls basketball: front row (from left); Anastyn Nielson, Riley Linville, Reagan Hagey; second row; Sydney Marriott, Piper Hunt and Emily Ricketts. Not pictured: Erin Cook. pletely different than it has been the last two years, so I really think that we are going to do great things.

“My freshman we were starting to make those gains and then sophomore year and junior year were kind of a setback for us, but I really think we have that movement coming back up, and I think we are going to be really good.”

Cook led the Rockets in assists last season, and despite being one of the smaller players on the court each night grabbed 3.4 rebounds a game.

Junior Piper Hunt is back after leading the team in scoring last season. She averaged 9.2 points per game last season.

On the other wing, Hunt’s classmate Reagan Hagey returns after scoring 5.8 points per game last season. The junior was also second in rebounding at 7.2 per game.

“I have two older sisters so I’ve been watching this program since I was a little kid,” Hagey said. “I feel like this year, we are going to finally make a big step in the right direction.”

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE WEST NODAWAY ROCKETS

WEST NODAWAY R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT Burlington Jct., MO.

In the post, junior Riley Linville was the team’s second-leading scorer at 6.8 points per game and also grabbed seven rebounds a night.

The Rockets may play a slightly different style this season with the graduation of their other starting post player Lexi Moore.

Among the players who may replace her in the lineup is freshman guard Sydney Marriott. Marriott’s athleticism gave a spark to the volleyball team in the fall, but her addition would cause Hagey to shift to a forward spot.

“We are trying to get some more girls to ball and push it up a little bit and mix it up a little bit,” Conn said. “We are going to try to change the style that we’ve played.

They are really taking to that and they are enjoying it, but it is a lot of work.”

If the Rockets continue to play big, another freshman Anastyn Nielsen could step in. Nielsen also made an impact for the volleyball team as a freshman.

Brighter days may be ahead for the Rocket basketball program, but those days can begin this season as well. That is certainly the goal of this year’s group.

“I looked at last year’s stats and last year’s schedule,” Conn said. “This team lost five games under 10 points, so I’m not going to give a number, but we would like to win some of those games that were in single digits last year.”

FORUM FILE PHOTO

West Nodaway guard Erin Cook goes up for a shot against St. Joseph Christian last season in Burlington Junction.

Schedule

Fri., Dec. 11....................................................at Albany Tues., Dec. 15....................................... v. Platte Valley Fri., Dec. 18........................................... at Mound City Tues., Dec. 22............................v. St. Joseph Christian Mon., Jan. 4......................................... v. East Atchison Tues., Jan. 5......................................at North Nodaway Fri., Jan. 8................................................ v. Union Star Mon., Jan. 11..................................Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12..................................Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13..................................Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14................................Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15....................................Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16....................................Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19......................................at Nodaway-Holt Fri. Jan. 22...............................at Stewartsville/Osborn Tues., Feb. 2............................................. at South Holt Thurs., Feb. 5...............................................at Clarinda Tues., Feb. 9...............................v. Northland Christian Fri., Feb. 12............................................... at Rock Port Tues., Feb. 16................................................ v. DeKalb Thurs. Feb. 18............................at Northeast Nodaway

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Thursday, December 3, 2020

E5

NORTHEAST NODAWAY GIRLS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Northeast Nodaway girls basketball: front row (from left); Saige Kohlleppel, Delainey McIntyre, Angela Standiford, Cassy Redden, Anne Schieber, Tierney Privett; second row; Lauren McIntyre, Jill Boswell, Dalanie Auffert, Meredith Adwell.

New coach inherits hungry Bluejays

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

T

he Northeast Nodaway Bluejays faced an unique challenge last season following a 16-9 20182019 season when they were faced with replacing all of their starters despite starting three sophomores that season. The surprise changes to the roster resulted in a 4-18 season, but valuable experience for a team which had virtually none going into the year.

“Since we didn’t lose anyone, it is just going to be the same thing and we can start from where we left off and keep growing as a team,” Bluejay senior Anne Schieber said.

The team faces more transition this season with Luke Cox replacing longtime head coach Joyce Stiens.

Cox, the school’s principal, is excited to step into the role.

“The girls have done a great job of stepping up,” Cox said. “The senior leadership has done a great job of stepping up. The girls are hungry to win and they are eager to learn.

“Chasing Coach Steins is tough. She was such a great influence on everyone here at Northeast Nodaway. I feel very honored to follow her and in her footsteps.”

Cox’s goals included getting to know his team better in the early weeks of practice.

“The big thing, these last couple weeks, is seeing what we can do and what we can’t do,” Cox said. “It is always about catering to the strengths of your team and trying to minimize their weaknesses as much as possible.”

Among the starters that are returning from last year’s squad are senior guards Cassy Redden and Schieber to give the Jays a pair of experienced ballhandlers to run Cox’s offense.

“I think that we are just ready to come out with a better winning season than we

have the last couple years,” Redden said. “We a re just ready to improve on those little details that maybe haven’t been focused on.”

The Bluejays believe that the work they are putting in this offseason will be rewarded as the season approaches.

Angela Standiford is another key senior returner for the Jays. Delainey McIntyre and Tierney Privett add to the leadership provided by the senior class.

“This senior group, they want to win and they want to leave their legacy,” Cox said.

“They have done a great job

of helping out the younger girls. With the exception of two freshmen, everybody played last year at some point. There was a lot of experience gained from last year. What we are trying to

do is build off that.”

Despite the record last year, Cox believes in setting high goals rather they be for this season or in the future.

“The biggest thing we are trying to do is just get a

little better each day,” Cox said. “And our team goal, just like everyone else in the whole state, is to win state.

If you don’t have that goal then what are you ultimately trying to do here.”

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FORUM FILE PHOTO

Northeast Nodaway guard Anne Schieber brings the ball up the floor against South Holt last season in Ravenwood.

Schedule

This week............................................ PVI Tournament Tues., Dec. 8........................................ at Worth County Thurs., Dec. 10........................................... at Stanberry Fri., Dec. 11................................................ v. King City Tues., Dec. 15........................... v. Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 18................................................at Rock Port Tues., Dec. 22.................................................v. DeKalb Fri., Jan. 8...............................................v. Platte Valley Tues., Jan. 19.......................................... at Mound City Fri. Jan. 22........................................ at North Nodaway Mon., Jan. 25..............................King City Tournament Tues., Jan. 26..............................King City Tournament Wed., Jan. 27..............................King City Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28............................King City Tournament Fri., Jan. 29.................................King City Tournament Tues., Feb. 2.........................................v. East Atchison Thurs., Feb. 5.............................................v. Union Star Tues., Feb. 9....................................... at Nodaway-Holt Fri., Feb. 12.............................................. at South Holt Tues., Feb. 16........................... v. Stewartsville/Osborn Thurs. Feb. 18.....................................v. West Nodaway

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E6

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

PLATTE VALLEY GIRLS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

Platte Valley girls basketball: front row (from left); Malia Collins, Sydnee Deen, Madelynn Mattson, Paige West, Chelsea Greer; second row; Jayce Holtman, Claire Galbraith, Madelyn Swinford, Andrea Riley, Tejay Freemyer, Kaylee Pedersen, Jessica Davis; third row; Dalanie Acklin, Kali Redden, Brylie Angle, Jaclyn Pappert, Maggie Collins, Samantha Terry and Kayley Hauber. Not pictured: Sarah Langford, Aubrey Mattson, Stephanie Turpin and Christina Turpin.

Platte Valley looks to climb one rung higher

By JON DYKSTRA

Schedule

The Forum

N

ot many teams who just finished playing for a state championship can say they added two 2-year starters to the lineup. Platte Valley girls basketball can this season though.

With former Northeast Nodaway standouts Madelynn Mattson and Paige West becoming eligible this season, an already deep Platte Valley team becomes that much deeper.

“We bring back a lot of the people who got to play and practice last year, so I’m excited to see what we can do once games get started,” Collins said.

Platte Valley will have to replace some firepower from a year ago including All-State guard Kaylin LaMaster averaged 10.5 points per game on an incredibly balanced squad. She shot 43 percent from 3-point land.

Ashley Mattson and Hannah Wilmes were also key contributors to last year’s team.

Platte Valley benefits from the return of a 4-year starter at point guard as Malia Collins is back at the head of

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Platte Valley guard Malia Collins goes in for a layup against East Atchison last season in Conception Junction. the team’s offense, and as importantly it defense.

“Things change every year with the offense and sets, but the game stays the same,” Collins said. “The girls that we have on the floor, they know the game

and Coach (Tyler) Pedersen’s done a great job so far and he is going to do a great job so I am excited to get us all on the floor.”

Collins led the team in assists last year, but also had 3.7 steals a game last sea-

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son. She will look to build on averaging 4.5 points per game last season and shooting 33 percent from the field and 13 percent from 3-point range.

“She is a game changer on the defensive side of the ball,” Pedersen said.

Alongside Collins will be junior guard Stephanie Turpin. Turpin has also started since she was a freshman and averaged 4.9 points per game last year. She was second in assists with 2.8 per game and second in steals at 2.6.

West matches the profile of Collins and Turpin as an aggressive defender at the guard spot with the speed to play in the open court.

“Practices have been intense,” Pedersen said. “They are working hard and that is exciting.”

Claire Galbraith and Sarah Langford add even more experience to the Platte Valley backcourt.

“I guess I feel very fortunate in a year like this when you never know what is going to happen, you never know when someone is going to have to go home due to being a contact, it is nice having that depth,” Peders-

This week.......................................Albany Tournament Tues., Dec. 8......................................v. South Harrison Fri., Dec. 11................................................ at Maryville Tues., Dec. 15....................................at West Nodaway Thurs., Dec. 17.................................... v. North Andrew Sat., Dec. 19............................... v. Northland Christian Tues., Dec. 22............................................v. Rock Port Tues., Jan. 5....................................................v. DeKalb Fri., Jan. 8.................................. at Northeast Nodaway Mon., Jan. 11.............................. Stanberry Tournament Tues., Jan. 12.............................. Stanberry Tournament Wed., Jan. 13.............................. Stanberry Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14............................ Stanberry Tournament Fri., Jan. 15................................ Stanberry Tournament Sat., Jan. 16................................ Stanberry Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14............................................at St. Pius X Tues., Jan. 19......................................at Mid-Buchanan Mon. Jan. 25........................... North Platte Tournament Tues., Jan. 26.......................... North Platte Tournament Wed., Jan. 27.......................... North Platte Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28........................ North Platte Tournament Fri., Jan. 29............................ North Platte Tournament Sat., Jan. 30............................ North Platte Tournament Tues., Feb. 2........................................... at Mound City Fri., Feb. 5........................................ v. North Nodaway Tues., Feb. 9..............................................v. Union Star Fri., Feb. 12........................................ at Nodaway-Holt Tues., Feb. 16........................................... at South Holt Thurs. Feb. 18....................................... v. Stewartsville

‘We bring back a lot of the people who got to play and practice last year, so I’m excited to see what we can do once games get started.’ ­‑ Maila Collins Platte Valley senior

en said. “I think that is going to come into play.”

In the frontcourt, junior All-State forward Jaclyn Pappert leads the way. Pappert scored 10.2 points per game last season and led the team with 5.7 rebounds per game.

“There is always room for improvement,” Pappert said. “Staying after, shooting longer and putting in extra hours is obviously going to help.”

Madelynn Mattson joins the frontcourt rotation after being an all-district pick as a sophomore at Northeast Nodaway.

Senior Sydnee Deen also gives Platte Valley another experienced option in the post.

While the team is eight or nine deep with experienced players, Platte Valley is also expecting big contributions from its freshman class —

including Maggie Collins and Brylie Angle, who were starters on the state runnerup softball team this fall.

“Brylie Angle has been working really hard in practice — Maggie Collins, a fellow freshman — they have both been showing up,” Malia Collins said. “Sarah Langford is a sophomore, she definitely has potential.”

While Platte Valley has enjoyed tremendous success in the past 12 months with state runner-ups in girls basketball and softball, this group wants to finish this season one spot higher.

“Our goal is obviously where we ended last year, but better,” Pappert said.

Collins wants to taste Springfield and the final four again as well.

“I think the goal goes without being said,” Collins said.

“We want the final four.”

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

Thursday, December 3, 2020

E7

NORTH NODAWAY GIRLS BASKETBALL

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

North Nodaway girls basketball: front row (from left); assistant coach Lindsi Jackson, Sarah Wray, Jadon Dobbins, Karissa Oberhauser, Saryn Brown, head coach Sami Jackson; second row; Angie Parker, Lauren Herndon, Kelsey Barcus, Ellaina Renfro, Jacquelyn Cline and Saylor Brown. Not pictured: Lucardia Hendricks.

Mustangs add young talent to core

By JON DYKSTRA The Forum

J

ust a year ago, the Mustangs girls basketball team was faced with replacing four starters from a team that went 17-7. North Nodaway did not experience much of a drop off though as it completed its fourthstraight winning season with a 14-11 record.

“We learned that we needed to be a hustle team and that we would really have to work to be up with those bigger team,” North Nodaway junior Saylor Brown said. “As you can tell, we are all the same height, so we have to hustle. We are probably the most hardworking team.”

Fast forward to this season and the Mustangs are returning four starters from last season including leading scorer Jacquelyn Cline, who averaged 12.4 points per game as a freshman guard.

“It was kind of a building year and we had such low numbers that all those girls got a whole lot of playing time,” North Nodaway coach Sami Jackson said.

Cline picked up right where she off last season with a team-high 15 points and the game-winning basket in last week’s win at North Harrison.

Cline has high expectations going into her second season of varsity basketball.

“Last year, I think we we had three freshmen start and I just think that helped them get more comfortable,” Cline said. “With all of our team almost having varsity experience, I think that will help everyone be more comfortable.”

Jadon Dobbins returns alongside Cline in the backcourt. Dobbins led the team in assists last season while scoring finishing third on the team with eight points a night.

“I really want to work up my assists,” Dobbins said.

“I also want to pick up my defense a lot, and be someone who the point guard

doesn’t want on them.”

In the frontcourt, the Mustangs return both of their starters with senior Karissa Oberhauser and junior Saylor Brown.

Oberhauser only scored 1.6 points per game last year for the Mustangs, but grbbed three rebounds a game and gave the team a post presence on a team whose offense was dominated by its guard play.

Brown was a key player off the bench as a freshman and jumped into the starting lineup as a sophomore, averaging 7.3 points and a team-high seven rebounds a game despite recovering from offseason Tommy John surgery.

Brown played last season coming off of the elbow surgery, but is fully healthy and thinks she will be in for another jump as a junior.

“This year is different because I’m more comfortable with my elbow,” Brown said. “I played through volleyball so I feel like it is more worn in now.

“With this team, we have a lot of chemistry because we’ve been playing together forever. My eighth-grade year, I was playing with Jacquelyn. I’ve been with Karissa and Jadon for a long time

The Mustangs lose a stalwart from the lineup with the graduation of Kandace Damgar. Damgar was a 2-year starter for the Mustangs and one of the top shooters in the area. She shoot 42 percent from 3-point range and was second on the team with 12.3 points per game.

The freshman class at North Nodaway offers several options who will help replace Damgar’s production though.

“I’m excited to see what we can do,” Brown said.

“We only lost senior. She played a big role, but I think we are going to fill it with our two freshmen.”

Saylor’s sister Sayrn Brown proved to be capable of stepping up in the team’s opener against North Harrison last week.

The freshman scored 12 points and hit a pair of free throws with seven seconds left to seal the four-point victory.

Lauren Herndon, sister of former North Nodaway standout Kristin Herndon, also had a strong debut as she hit a 3-pointer and saw plenty of minutes in the game.

“We are really lucky with a good group of freshmen coming in,” Jackson said.

Schedule

This week............................................ PVI Tournament Thurs., Dec. 10..............................................v. Bedford Tues., Dec. 15.................................... at Nodaway-Holt Thurs., Dec. 17......................... v. Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 18........................................... at Mound City Tues., Dec. 22.......................... at Stewartsville/Osborn Tues., Jan. 5........................................v. West Nodaway Thurs., Jan. 7.......................................... at Gilman City Mon., Jan. 11.................................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12.................................. Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13.................................. Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14................................ Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.................................... Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.................................... Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19..............................................v. Rock Port Fri. Jan. 22................................. v. Northeast Nodaway Tues., Feb. 2.................................................. at DeKalb Thurs., Feb. 5.........................................at Platte Valley Tues., Feb. 9............................................v. Mound City Thurs., Feb. 11.................................... at Worth County Fri., Feb. 12..........................................v. East Atchison Tues., Feb. 16............................................. at King City Thurs. Feb. 18.......................................... at Union Star

“They have played for me the last two years in junior high, so that is good because they know what I expect.

They have some siblings who have played for me and they are ready to step in and show how they play. I think that is going to be really big for us.”

Sophomore Kelsey Barcus had two points in the game and is another player Jackson expects to contribute all season. Sophomore Ellaina Renfro was also a part of the rotation last season and sixth on the team in minutes per game. She missed some time in the preseason, but Jackson expects her return to only make the team even deeper.

“Every girl out here is working hard for a spot,” Dobbins said.

With all their experience returning and the new additions, expectations are high in Hopkins.

“Last year, was our growing year, so is this year, but we have more girls who played varsity last year so it is more of a second-year push,” Dobbins said. “We don’t have to rebuild everything.”

FORUM FILE PHOTO

North Nodaway senior guard Jadon Dobbins shoots a three against North Harrison last week in Eagleville.

E8

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Forum Winter Sports Preview

WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES

Maryville Boys

This week................. Savannah Tournament Fri., Dec. 11..........................v. Platte Valley Mon. Dec. 14.................... at East Buchanan Thurs., Dec. 17...............at Bishop LeBlond Fri. Dec. 18.................................. at Benton Mon., Jan. 4................................. at Lathrop Thurs., Jan. 7.............................at Lafayette Mon., Jan. 11......Oak Grove at Kansas City Tues., Jan. 12................................. v. Center Sat., Jan. 16.............Glenwood at NWMSU Fri., Jan. 22.............................. at Savannah Mon. Jan. 25..............Cameron Tournament Tues., Jan. 26.............Cameron Tournament Wed., Jan. 27.............Cameron Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28...........Cameron Tournament Fri., Jan. 29...............Cameron Tournament Sat., Jan. 30...............Cameron Tournament Thurs., Feb. 4............................... v. Penney Fri., Feb. 5................................v. St. Pius X Sat., Feb. 6......v. Southeast (KC) at Benton Tues., Feb. 9.............................. at Cameron Thurs., Feb. 11............................ v. Atlantic Fri., Feb. 12.................................. v. Benton Fri. Feb. 19............................... v. Savannah Thurs., Feb. 25....................... v. Chillicothe

Maryville Girls

This week................. Savannah Tournament Thurs., Dec. 10................ at Southeast (KC) Fri., Dec. 11..........................v. Platte Valley Tues., Dec. 29..Doane College Tournament Wed., Dec. 30...Doane College Tournament Thurs., Jan. 7.............................v. Lafayette Mon., Jan. 11......Oak Grove at Kansas City Tues., Jan. 12.................... at East Buchanan Thurs., Jan. 14..........................at St. Pius X Sat., Jan. 16.............Glenwood at NWMSU Tues., Jan. 19................................ at Penney Thurs., Jan. 21................v. Bishop LeBlond Mon. Jan. 25..............Cameron Tournament Tues., Jan. 26.............Cameron Tournament Wed., Jan. 27.............Cameron Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28...........Cameron Tournament Fri., Jan. 29...............Cameron Tournament Sat., Jan. 30...............Cameron Tournament Tues., Feb. 2................................ v. Lathrop Sat., Feb. 6................v. St. Joseph Central at Benton Tues., Feb. 9........................... v. Chillicothe Thurs., Feb. 11............................. at Benton Mon., Feb. 15............................ v. Cameron Thurs. Feb. 18.......................... at Savannah

FORUM FILE PHOTO

Maryville’s Drew Spire attempts to finish a pin last season in Maryville.

MHS Wrestling

Thurs., Dec. 3........... Triangular at Clarinda Wed., Dec. 9........Triangular at Winnetonka Sat., Dec. 12.............. Tournament at Lenox Tues., Dec. 15............ Triangular at Penney Thurs., Dec. 17................Quad at Stanberry Sat., Dec. 19..... Tournament at Shenandoah Thurs., Jan. 7....................Quad at Cameron Sat., Jan. 9....Tournament at Mid-Buchanan Thurs., Jan. 14........ Triangular at Falls City Sat., Jan. 16......... Tournament at Plattsburg Thurs., Jan. 21........ Triangular at Maryville Sat., Jan. 23....................... MECs at Benton Tues., Jan. 26...............Triangular at Benton Thurs., Jan. 28........... Triangular at Bedford Sat., Jan. 30..........Tournament at Maryville Tues., Feb. 2........... Triangular at Plattsburg Fri., Feb. 12... Districts at Excelsior Springs Sat.., Feb. 13.Districts at Excelsior Springs

Platte Valley

This week.....................Albany Tournament Tues., Dec. 8....................v. South Harrison Fri., Dec. 11.............................. at Maryville Tues., Dec. 15..................at West Nodaway Thurs., Dec. 17.................. v. North Andrew Sat., Dec. 19............. v. Northland Christian Tues., Dec. 22..........................v. Rock Port Tues., Jan. 5..................................v. DeKalb Fri., Jan. 8................ at Northeast Nodaway Mon., Jan. 11............ Stanberry Tournament Tues., Jan. 12............ Stanberry Tournament Wed., Jan. 13............ Stanberry Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14.......... Stanberry Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.............. Stanberry Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.............. Stanberry Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14..........................at St. Pius X Tues., Jan. 19....................at Mid-Buchanan

Mon. Jan. 25......... North Platte Tournament Tues., Jan. 26........ North Platte Tournament Wed., Jan. 27........ North Platte Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28...... North Platte Tournament Fri., Jan. 29.......... North Platte Tournament Sat., Jan. 30.......... North Platte Tournament Tues., Feb. 2......................... at Mound City Fri., Feb. 5...................... v. North Nodaway Tues., Feb. 9............................v. Union Star Fri., Feb. 12...................... at Nodaway-Holt Tues., Feb. 16......................... at South Holt Thurs. Feb. 18..................... v. Stewartsville

NE Nodaway

This week.......................... PVI Tournament Tues., Dec. 8..................... at Worth County Thurs., Dec. 10......................... at Stanberry Fri., Dec. 11.............................. v. King City Tues., Dec. 15........ v. Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 18.............................at Rock Port Tues., Dec. 22..............................v. DeKalb Fri., Jan. 8............................v. Platte Valley Tues., Jan. 19........................ at Mound City Fri. Jan. 22..................... at North Nodaway Mon., Jan. 25............King City Tournament Tues., Jan. 26............King City Tournament Wed., Jan. 27...........King City Tournament Thurs., Jan. 28..........King City Tournament Fri., Jan. 29..............King City Tournament Tues., Feb. 2.......................v. East Atchison Thurs., Feb. 5..........................v. Union Star Tues., Feb. 9..................... at Nodaway-Holt Fri., Feb. 12............................ at South Holt Tues., Feb. 16......... v. Stewartsville/Osborn Thurs. Feb. 18..................v. West Nodaway

North Nodaway

This week.......................... PVI Tournament Thurs., Dec. 10............................v. Bedford Tues., Dec. 15.................. at Nodaway-Holt Thurs., Dec. 17....... v. Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 18......................... at Mound City Tues., Dec. 22........ at Stewartsville/Osborn Tues., Jan. 5......................v. West Nodaway Thurs., Jan. 7........................ at Gilman City Mon., Jan. 11................ Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12................ Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13................ Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14.............. Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.................. Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19............................v. Rock Port Fri. Jan. 22............... v. Northeast Nodaway Tues., Feb. 2................................ at DeKalb

Thurs., Feb. 5.......................at Platte Valley Tues., Feb. 9..........................v. Mound City Thurs., Feb. 11.................. at Worth County Fri., Feb. 12........................v. East Atchison Tues., Feb. 16........................... at King City Thurs. Feb. 18........................ at Union Star

West Nodaway

This week.......................... PVI Tournament Fri., Dec. 11.................................. at Albany Tues., Dec. 15......................v. Platte Valley Fri., Dec. 18......................... at Mound City Tues., Dec. 22.......... v. St. Joseph Christian Mon., Jan. 4........................v. East Atchison Tues., Jan. 5.................... at North Nodaway Fri., Jan. 8...............................v. Union Star Mon., Jan. 11................ Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12................ Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13................ Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14.............. Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.................. Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19.................... at Nodaway-Holt Fri. Jan. 22............. at Stewartsville/Osborn Tues., Feb. 2........................... at South Holt Thurs., Feb. 5............................. at Clarinda Tues., Feb. 9............. v. Northland Christian Fri., Feb. 12..............................at Rock Port Tues., Feb. 16...............................v. DeKalb Thurs. Feb. 18.......... at Northeast Nodaway

Nodaway-Holt

This week.......................... PVI Tournament Mon., Dec. 7........... at Cainsville/Ridgeway Fri., Dec. 11....................... v. Worth County Tues., Dec. 15................ v. North Nodaway Fri., Dec. 18........................... at Union Star Mon., Dec. 21........................... at King City Tues. Dec. 22...................v. North Harrison Tues., Jan. 5.............................v. South Holt Fri., Jan. 8.............. at Stewartsville/Osborn Mon., Jan. 11................ Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 12................ Fairfax Tournament Wed., Jan. 13................ Fairfax Tournament Thurs., Jan. 14.............. Fairfax Tournament Fri., Jan. 15.................. Fairfax Tournament Sat., Jan. 16.................. Fairfax Tournament Tues., Jan. 19....................v. West Nodaway Fri. Jan. 22...............................at Rock Port Thurs., Feb. 5.............................. at DeKalb Tues., Feb. 9............. v. Northeast Nodaway Fri., Feb. 12..........................v. Platte Valley Tues., Feb. 16........................v. Mound City Thurs. Feb. 18....................at East Atchison