Winter Sports Preview 2020

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Pair of state qualifiers headline Cardinal wrestling

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By Troy Hyde Newton News

ewton’s wrestling team graduated a pair of multi-year state qualifiers, including one of the best grapplers to ever put on a Cardinal singlet.

But first-year head coach Adam Hale brings back two other state qualifiers and a host of wrestlers who got at least some varsity experience last season.

That gives Hale and the rest of the Cardinal coaching staff confidence that the Cardinals can compete in the Little Hawkeye Conference.

“We definitely have some good building blocks returning,” Hale said. “I really like all of the guys and girls that we have returning. I think this year’s senior class as a whole has a good work ethic that we’ll be able to tap into and use to help the whole team take some big strides this season.”

Leading the way for Newton are returning state qualifiers Anthony Bestell and Brennan Amos.

Bestell, a senior, qualified for state last year at 113. He was 15-12 overall and Hale said he is expected to move up to 120 this season.

Amos, a junior, was a state qualifier two years ago. Amos was 17-9 at 132 last year, finishing fifth at districts and second in the conference. This year, he moves up to either 138 or 145.

Other returners from last year include seniors James Wenndt, A.J. Holdefer, Owen Sanger and William Muckler.

Wenndt is expected to move up to 160 after going 1213 at 152 last year.

Holdefer was 11-12 at 152 last year but will move up to 170 this year.

Sanger was 19-10 at 195 and finished fourth at districts

Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo Newton senior Anthony Bestell, top, is back for the Cardinal wrestling team this season after competing in the state tournament last winter.

Newton turns the program over to Adam Hale this season. He was previously an assistant for the past seven years.

and second in the conference. Muckler was 16-5 at heavyweight, claiming third at districts and third at the conference t ou r n a m e nt .

Muckler They could both stay at those weights this year.

“Owen Sanger and William Muckler both made huge leaps last year and have been working hard during the offseason,” Hale said. “Last year, we had a really solid group of first- or second-year wrestlers with guys like AJ Holdefer, Zane Biondi and Reese Hammons who did really well for

being so new to the sport, so it will be fun seeing what they can accomplish this year.”

Hale said Biondi will wrestle at 170 this season. Hammons also is an upper weight guy.

Dayton Petithory and Kinzie Hardin start the season at 106, while Avery White and Brayden Jones will battle for the varsity spot at 113.

Emma Fox and Alex Bassett joins Bestell at 120. Kaden Holmes, Conner McPartlin, Austin Ort and Emma Lopez-Garcia give the Cardinals plenty of depth at 126 and Kaleb Wilkins and Tanner Jones are at 132.

Damien Bayles could find himself at either 138 or 145, and his other competition at

145 could be Colin Sharp and Arion Seiser.

Brady Romberg, Nathan Milburn and Nathan Bouch are at 152.

Austin Brady, Gavin Urias, Harley Weter and Mitchell Thayer are other options are 160 and Jaden Shannon and Wyatt Weter are both at 182.

“Guys like James Wenndt, Colin Sharp and Brady Romberg have some really great aspects to how they wrestle and definitely have the ability to have good success this year,” Hale said.

“Each Open Mat session we were able to have new guys and girls come in to observe or try wrestling out. It is awesome seeing so many people showing an interest and giv-

ing it a try.”

Joining Sanger at 195 is Jacob Nichols. Grace Brown and Blake Schilling are at 220 and Nelson Lopez, Tyson Elliott, Tyler Anderson and Drew Boothe all could push Muckler at heavyweight.

Hardin, Fox and Brown all wrestled in the girls state tournament last year and won at least one match. Brown placed third in her weight class, too.

“They are all still fairly new to wrestling so I look forward to seeing how their wrestling continues to develop,” said Hale, who was an assistant coach under Andy Swedenhjelm for the past seven years.

WRESTLING | 3B

Price, Hodnett lead talented group of Newton bowlers

By Troy Hyde Newton News

Newton News file photo

W

ith an individual state qualifier back this season, Newton’s girls’ bowling team has high expectations.

Senior Abby Price placed 33rd at the state meet last season and led the Cardinals to a conference championship.

With three bowlers back who averaged at least 146 last year, the goal is to win another Two Rivers Conference title and advance to state as a team.

“The girls’ team has some strong players returning and we are excited about their season,” said Christie Hughes, who begins her fourth season as Newton’s head bowling coach.

“Abby has very high expectations for both herself and the girls’ team. She is determined to make another appearance at state this year, hopefully as a team.”

Both the girls’ and boys’ squads graduated four seniors from last year’s roster.

The Cardinal boys do bring Newton 2020-21 Varsity Bowling Schedule Dec. 12 — Knoxville, 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 — Marshalltown, 4 p.m.

Dec. 19 — Sigourney, 1 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Bondurant-Farrar, 9 a.m.

Jan. 14 — Clarke, 4 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Oskaloosa, 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 — Pella, 9 a.m.

Jan. 30 — Norwalk, 10 a.m.

Feb. 6 — Pella Christian, 9 a.m.

Feb. 10 — Varsity/JV tournament, TBA Feb. 13 — Conference, Bondurant, TBA Feb. 16 — District/Regional meets, TBA Home games in bold

Newton senior Abby Price is back for the Cardinal girls’ bowling team after qualifying for the state tournament last season.

back senior Thomas Hodnett, who bowled a 256 last year, and two others are also back from a Newton boys’ squad which placed second in the conference last year.

“All three are very talented bowlers and have a great deal of experience in the sport,” Hughes said about her three top male returners.

Price advanced to the state meet last season after averaging 181 over 24 games. Her high score was 225 and her high series was 418. She averaged a 362 series.

Filling in for the rest of the girls’ varsity squad is expected to be seniors Jenna Miller, Danny Lewis and Sydni Fol-

lowill and sophomore Bailey Hansen.

Hughes said a handful of freshmen could compete at the varsity level, too. That group includes Genessa Slings, Marissa Daughtery and Libbie Keith. Sophomore Bekah Wiethers also will compete in preseason tryouts when the team is allowed to begin practicing.

“We have a few girls trying out that I think will do very well and the competition for our varsity spots is going to be tough,” Hughes said. “We will be holding tryouts as soon as we can start practice. The tryouts will consist of two or three practice days and then

a day of keeping score. We’re hoping that we will get two rounds of this process in order to establish an average.

We will be taking the top 14 scores for boys and the top 14 scores for girls to fill the varsity and JV teams.”

Hansen averaged 148 over 18 games and had a 179 high score last year.

Miller averaged 146 over 24 games and had a 201 high score. Followill’s average last year over eight games was 137 and her high score was 169.

Lewis carded a high score of 163 and averaged 123 over 12 games.

On top of winning the conference last year, the New-

ton girls also placed second the Class 2A District 2 tournament.

The boys took second in the conference and were fourth at the Hodnett district meet.

Hodnett is back after averaging 174 over 24 over games last year. The rest of the varsity is expected to include junior Evan Benac, senior Ben Zeien and sophomore Logan Bown.

BOWLERS | 3B

2B |

Winter Sports Preview

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020

Newton girls hope to turn corner on hardwood

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By Troy Hyde Newton News

ewton’s girls’ basketball team made significant improvements in head coach Eric Vander Velden’s first season a year ago.

Now, hopefully with all his bullets in the holster, Vander Velden looks to turn the corner as the Cardinals seek their first winning season since 2015-16.

“We focused on the basic fundamentals of basketball this offseason,” Vander Velden said. “That’s what the coaches decided we needed to work on the most. We didn’t do any five-on-five work and basically used July as a month to get better fundamentally.

Hopefully it carries into the season.”

Newton went 7-15 last year but lost five games by single digits, including the Class 4A Region 6 quarterfinal game against Washington.

Vander Velden brings back four players who started at least 17 games and senior Meg Callaghan, who averaged a double-double in 12 games after returning from injury.

Callaghan averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and 1.3

Newton News file photo Newton senior Chassidy Henwood, in white, averaged 10.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.7 steals per game. She was a second-team all-conference pick and an all-region selection last season.

steals per game after she hit the floor in January. The Cardinals played much better with her on the floor, according to Vander Velden.

Callaghan was an honorable mention all-conference pick last season.

“Having Meg the whole season will be helpful,” Vander Velden said. “She helped us a

lot when she came back from injury last year.”

The Cardinals’ returners accounted for 80 percent of the scoring and most of the rebounds from last year.

Seniors Chassidy Henwood and Victoria Reynolds and junior Brooklyn Cupples are three other returning starters.

That trio plus Callaghan all

were voted captains by their teammates.

Henwood averaged 10.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.7 steals per game.

She was a second-team all-conference pick and an all-region selection last season.

Cupples averaged 3.2 points and two rebounds per game. Reynolds averaged 6.1 points per game.

The fourth returning starter is junior Aurora Nehring, who scored 8.1 points, grabbed 4.5 rebounds, dished out 1.7 assists and swiped two steals per contest last year.

Senior Jerrica McGuire also is back after averaging 3.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game last year.

Vander Velden expects junior Kealey Manning, sophomore Audrey Rausch and freshman Sophia Reynolds to also play significant minutes this winter.

Newton shot 38 percent from the floor, 23.5 percent from 3-point range and 49 percent from the line.

The Cardinals averaged 48 points per game despite turning the ball over 24 times per contest.

“Hopefully we can build on

Newton 2020-21 Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule Dec. 8 — Grinnell, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 10 — Marshalltown, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 11 — Oskaloosa, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 18 — Pella, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 21 — PCM, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 — Norwalk, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Pella Christian, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Knoxville, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Indianola, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 14 — Nevada, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 — DCG, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Grinnell, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 25 — Centerville, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Oskaloosa, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 29 — Pella, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Norwalk, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Pella Christian, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 9 — Indianola, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 12 — DCG, 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 17 — Regional Tournament, TBA Home games in bold

scoring 48 per game, but we have to improve on our turnovers,” Vander Velden said.

“That has to get better.”

The Cardinals were 4-10 in LHC play last year, sweeping both Pella Christian and Oskaloosa.

Vander Velden said no one in the league lost a whole lot of talent from the year before.

He expects every game in conference play to be tough but feels like Grinnell, Indianola and Dallas Center-Grimes are the favorites.

CORNER | 3B

Newton boys reset roster with successful youth

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Newton News file photo Newton junior Adam Mattes (22) was a second-team all-conference player in the Little Hawkeye Conference last season. He led the Cardinals at 15 points and 2.4 assists per game and also averaged three rebounds per contest.

By Troy Hyde Newton News

he Newton boys’ basketball team will look a lot different this winter.

The Cardinals lost six seniors to graduation and last year’s second leading scorer transferred away from the program.

But junior Adam Mattes is back and, with a bunch of new faces who were successful in all other levels of their careers, he hopes to lead Newton back to a winning record.

“Adam was unanimously voted into the role of captain by his peers,” second-year Newton head coach Jason Carter said. “There is no question he’s ready and able to take that next step. His commitment and leadership will be a huge asset to our team for the next two years.”

Mattes was a second-team all-conference player in the Little Hawkeye Conference last season.

He led the Cardinals at 15 points and 2.4 assists per game and also averaged three rebounds per tilt.

Newton was 7-15 in Carter’s first season last year, but six of those losses were by single digits.

Carter said part of the offseason focus was about learning how to win close games.

“The season before last, they were coming off a no-win season, and we didn’t have a ton of guys who knew what it took to win,” Carter said.

“The first half of last year, we were 0-4 in single-digit contests.

The second half we were 4-2. We

learned on the fly.”

Filling in the roster and replacing the departures will be an inexperienced group of guys who have won at every level below varsity.

That group of players includes seniors Trent Hamand, Logan Schilling and Parker Aalbers, juniors Zay Arguello, Keith Moko, Treycen Garton and Kael Swarts and sophomore Jake Ingle.

“I feel this year we will have a lot more depth and lineups we can put on the floor than what we could last year,” Carter said. “Yes, we lost a lot of pieces, but this group of guys has a different attitude to them that makes me feel confident they will compete with anyone.”

Arguello averaged 2.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last year. Carter said Arguello will have a big scoring role this season and will be one of the team’s primary defenders.

Swarts played in 15 games, Ingle appeared in 14 games and Aalbers hit the floor in five games last season.

Ingle averaged two points per game in his limited role but will take over at point guard this season.

“There is no secret that we are a young team,” Carter said. “But the team we will be putting on the court has had success at every level, from youth travel teams, to middle school to JV. “Our JV team was one of the best in the conference last year and only lost a handful of games due to big-time contributors being limited in playing time as they

Newton 2020-21 Varsity Boys Basketball Schedule Dec. 8 — Grinnell, 7:45 p.m.

Dec. 10 — Marshalltown, 7:45 p.m.

Dec. 11 — Oskaloosa, 7:45 p.m.

Dec. 18 — Pella, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 5 — Norwalk, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Pella Christian, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Knoxville, 3 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Indianola, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 14 — Nevada, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 — DCG, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Grinnell, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 25 — Centerville, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Oskaloosa, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 29 — Pella, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Norwalk, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Pella Christian, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 9 — Indianola, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 12 — DCG, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 16 — Bondurant-Farrar, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 18 — ADM, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 22 — District Tournament, TBA Home games in bold

were being called on to play varsity minutes by the end of the year.”

The Cardinals have won just seven games the past two seasons after claiming a winning record in four of the five previous years.

Newton averaged 51 points per game last season, shooting 43 percent from the floor, 32 percent from distance and 69 percent from the line.

Five of the eight Little Hawkeye Conference programs had winning records last year, and Norwalk won the Class 3A title.

Oskaloosa won the 3A title two years ago.

Carter expects Dallas Center-Grimes to be ranked in the preseason and is one of the favorites to win the league.

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Winter Sports Preview

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020 | 3B

Top returners key for NCMP boys

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By Troy Hyde Newton News

he COVID-19 pandemic and Newton High School’s decision to move to 100 percent remote learning for the past few weeks has put most Cardinal athletic teams behind this winter.

It has been even harder for second-year NCMP coach Steve Jones, who also works in another school district.

NCMP swimmers have not yet officially met for a practice in the Newton YMCA pool. Jones knows who his top four swimmers will be but has been mostly in the dark so far this season.

“It’s an unfair playing field right now,” Jones said. “We haven’t even been in our pool together yet, while other teams in the state have already been practicing for a few weeks.”

NCMP will be led this season by individual state qualifier Jaden Dydell as well as fellow senior Henry Jensen, sophomore Elijah Eekhoff and junior Jackson Mace-Maynard.

Dydell placed 16th at state in the 100-yard breaststroke last year. He joins Eekhoff as one of the returners on the 200 medley relay team that also qualified for state last year and placed 19th.

Dydell had the team’s best time in the 100 breaststroke and the 50 and 100 freestyle last year. Jensen led NCMP in the 200 and 500 freestyle as

Newton 2020-21 Varsity Boys Swimming Schedule Dec. 8 — Boone, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 — Marshalltown Invitational, Noon Dec. 15 — Des Moines Lincoln, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 — Grinnell, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 — Des Moines Roosevelt, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Waterloo West Invitational, Noon Jan. 16 — Fort Dodge Invitational, 11 a.m.

Jan. 21 — LHC meet at Indianola, 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 30 — Conference meet, TBA Feb. 6 — District meet, TBA Home meets in bold

Newton News file photo NCMP senior Jaden Dydell placed 16th at the state meet in the 100-yard breaststroke last year. He also had the team’s top times in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races.

well as the 200 individual medley.

“I have only met with the team only once since Newton went to remote,” Jones said. “I have sent them workouts to do, and they can swim on their own.

I just don’t know who for sure is even

Corner Continued from Page 2B Grinnell begins the season ranked 10th in 4A, while DCG sits 12th. Indianola is preseason 13th in 5A. “When people ask me how many games I think we’ll win, I tell them I think we should win 11 or 12 games,” Vander Velden said. “That’s realistic.

We were close to that last year.”

One thing that could slow down every team in Iowa this winter is COVID-19.

Callaghan

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

Youth

Continued from Page 2B Newton split with the Mustangs last year. It also split with Oskaloosa, Grinnell and Pella Christian.

“The Little Hawkeye is loaded every single year. I don’t expect this year to be any different,” Carter said.

“There are no nights off in the LHC. “We expect to compete in every game that we play in. I believe we have the ability to beat any team on any given night. I truly believe that we can be right up there as one of the best teams in the conference at the end of the season.”

After last season, Carter identified rebounding and toughness as two areas that needed improvement. Carter and his coaching staff focused on challenging their players to compete in all aspects of the game.

“What will allow us to take the next step as a team, is consistently rebounding at a high level,” Carter said. “We had some success this summer and fall against some really good teams and you can see the confidence grow each time they step on the floor.”

Vander Velden said they will take the pandemic game-bygame.

“Our team motto this year is ‘be prepared,’” Vander Velden said. “We don’t know what will happen. We need to have accountability.”

Arguello

It was hard for any program to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic this offseason.

And Newton is one of the several programs who has not yet had a practice inside the gym as the school moved to all virtual learning a few weeks before the holiday

weekend.

But Carter said they were able to have open gyms after July 1 and the team also played in three summer tournaments and a fall league.

“It definitely looked a little different then it would in a normal offseason, but we valued every minute we got in the gym during these unprecedented times,” Carter said.

“We are very fortunate to have a group of players that will hold each other and themselves accountable, and I have confidence that they will workout with fidelity during this time off.”

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

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coming back and I don’t know any of the freshmen.”

Based on last year’s time, sophomore Camden Holland was the best on the team in the 100 backstroke, while sophomore Clay Lamb had the

Wrestling Continued from Page 1B Hale expects Dallas Center-Grimes, Norwalk, Indianola and Grinnell to be tough matches inside the Little Hawkeye Conference this season.

“It is a solid conference that always has several high-level wrestlers that end up qualifying, placing and in the mix for the finals at the state level,” Hale said.

Hale’s coaching staff this season includes assistant head coach Mike Kremer, Carl Smith and RJ Brown.

“There are already a fair number of good things in place, but there’s always room to improve,” Hale said.

“Overall, we as a coaching staff will put a heavier emphasis on basics and fundamentals by slowing things down and focusing on getting the little details correct. We will also be working to instill a higher level of accountability and tenacity. Our youth program will also be revamped a bit and formatted differently than it has been in the past.”

Hale is not new to the Cardinal wrestling program. But he is new to coaching wrestlers in the middle of a pandemic.

That will be new to every athletic program this winter.

The biggest difference this season, according to Hale, will be limiting the number of wrestling partners each athlete will have. They will use pods to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19.

“We will also have some practices

Bowlers Continued from Page 1B Benac averaged 145 over 24 games last year and had a high score of 183.

Zeien’s average over 14 games was 156 and his high score was 252.

Bown bowled two games at the varsity level and averaged 135. His high score was a 157.

Freshmen Sebastian King and Owen Gouldberg and sophomore Owen Muhs are the other three male bowlers

top time in the 100 butterfly.

Senior Devin Lamb also is expected to be on the roster and he was just behind Clay Lamb in the 100 fly.

Other potential returners includes seniors Landon Heisdorffer, and Jordan Henderson and Gabriel Sanders, junior Tyler Sterling and sophomores Jonah Brown and Brady Comer.

“I am hoping for around 20-25 swimmers,” Jones said. “I have two from Pella and been told two more are interested.

“Once we start, I’ll know more.

They have expanded state like girls swimming this year so hopefully we have more boys who qualify.”

NCMP ranked in the top 31 in all three relays last season.

Jones will have a new assistant coach this year as Brooke Van Manen has joined the coaching staff.

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

Newton 2020-21 Varsity Wrestling Schedule Dec. 12 — Ankeny Centennial Invitational, 9 a.m.

Dec. 15 — Pella/Clarke, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 — Norwalk, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 — PCM, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 — Oskaloosa, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Ottumwa Invitational, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Bettendorf Invitational, 4 p.m.

Jan. 16 — Bettendorf Invitational, 9 a.m.

Jan. 21 — Grinnell, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 — DCG, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 — LHC tournament, 10 a.m.

Feb. 13 — 3A Districts, Marshalltown, Noon Home meets in bold

where we split into two groups and have one group stay in the room and wrestle while the other goes off and does a strength and conditioning workout.

Of course, all of this is adaptable and subject to change based Hale on new guidance that comes out,” Hale said.

“Our whole sport is full of challenges and figuring out ways to overcome them, so in some ways, we’re ready to take on another one. Wrestling as a sport is already tedious in cleaning facilities and equipment, so besides maybe frequency, there isn’t a big difference in how we did things before and how we’ll do things this year.”

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

vying for spots on the varsity team.

“Although this isn’t set in stone, I think they will fill our top four spots,” Hughes said.

“Coach Banwell and I are excited to see who will step into the final two spots on the varsity team.”

The Two Rivers Conference includes Pella, Knoxville, Pella Christian, Norwalk, Bondurant-Farrar, Oskaloosa and Sigourney.

The Cardinal bowlers have not officially began practicing as a team yet

because of the school district’s decision to transition to completely remote learning for the past few weeks.

The first few meets have been pushed back or canceled altogether.

“We are a few weeks behind, but at this point our high school bowlers are being told they can practice on their own at Cardinal Lanes during open bowling,” Hughes said.

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

Best of Luck to all area winter sports teams!

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Winter Sports Preview

4B |

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020

Bolts seek to climb up ranks of ISC South

By Troy Hyde Newton News

last winter.

His second year promises to be a much axter’s basketball better situation as numbers are way up and programs both most of the weights can have enough rebe filled this season. turning talent to make “We are excited to a run at the Iowa Star have depth at both the Conference South Divilight and heavy ends sion title. of our roster,” Amadeo Each Bolts’ team also said. “We are looking welcomes a player to the to be much more comroster who transferred petitive in duals. We in from another school are grateful for any and in the offseason. all opportunities this The end goal is to be season, but the expectacompetitive in the contions go up every year ference, and the wresregardless of the cirtling team hopes to hold cumstances.” its own, too, with a rise The Bolts will have in participation numfour returners from last bers. year.

“The goal is always Seniors Micah Kearns to win the conference,” and Brad Matthews are Baxter head boys basback. So are sophomores ketball coach Zach HasCurtis Gliem and Cole selbrink said. “We try to Smith. win it every year.”

The rest of the roster features seven freshBaxter boys hope to get men, sophomore Kolton over conference hump Hill and junior Tanner Cole Damman and Shanks.

Carter Nelsen accountGliem was a district ed for 822 points for the Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo qualifier in his first prep Baxter boys last season.

Baxter junior Rory Heer was a second-team all-confer- Baxter senior McKenzie Eslinger was a second-team The rest of the Bolts ence player in the Iowa Star Conference South Division all-conference player in the Iowa Star Conference South season. He went 10-23 on the season at 113 scored 498 points. last year.

Division last season. pounds and finished But Hasselbrink hopes one of the deep- assists and 1.6 steals per “We want to play so games last season, av- and grabbed 2.4 boards second at sectionals. est rosters he’s ever had contest. He also made 21 we’ll do what we have to eraging 10.7 points, 8.7 per contest in 21 games Smith was third at secis enough to replace the 3-pointers. do,” Hasselbrink said. rebounds and 1.4 steals and Bacon averaged 1.8 tionals and finished 12two departed players.

Heer was a secper game. She was a sec- points and 2.2 rebounds 23 at 120.

They are expected Hasselbrink brings ond-team all-conference Deep crop of seniors ond-team all-conference per tilt in 16 games. back three starters, adds selection last season. hope to lift Baxter girls selection last year.

Samson appeared in to flip flop weights this a talented transfer and Johnston will be a Baxter head girls’ Meyer started 21 12 games, averaging 3.1 winter as Gliem moves plans to use up to 12 three-year starter and he basketball coach Eric games a year ago, scor- points and 2.3 boards up to 120 and Smith drops down to 113. players in varsity games averaged five points, 2.7 Padget will have a lot of ing 5.5 points per game per game.

Matthews was 13-17 as Baxter seeks to get rebounds, three assists experience on the court and averaging 4.8 The remaining players over the hump in the and 1.8 steals per game this season. boards, two assists and battling for varsity court at 152 pounds last year but is expected to ISC South Division. last year while making The Bolts lost three 1.3 steals per contest. time includes wrestle at 138 this The three returning 22 3-pointers. starters from last year “McKenzie has been senior Cassy winter. starters are senior Kael The rest of the top six but bring back seven our rock the last couple Berg, junior AlKearns is back Johnston, junior Rory in the rotation is expect- seniors and two juniors years,” Padget said. “She lyson Padget at 220 after finHeer and sophomore ed to be Carson Scrog- who logged varsity min- is a beast inside and on and sophomores ishing 14-18 last Cody Damman. The tal- gins, McMinamen and utes last season. the boards. This year, Abby McReynyear. ented transfer is junior Clapper.

The goal now is to she is much stronger. olds, Bree “We will be Nate McMinamen.

Carson Scroggins av- continue climbing up She’s been lifting just Buswell, Corryn looking for leadAnd the rest of the eraged 1.6 points and 1.6 the ISC South pecking about every morning for Padget, Emma ership from our varsity roster is made rebounds per game last order. The Bolts were the past couple months.” Ziesman, Kendyl Gliem two returning seup of senior Andrew year, but Hasselbrink 13-10 overall and 7-5 in The addition of Tuhn Stevenson and niors, Brad MatKlemme, junior Tanner expects a “massive step conference play last year. will help massively. At Mandee Selover. thews and Micah Scroggins, sophomores forward” for the sopho“We have lofty goals, Nevada last year, Tuhn The Bolts shot Carson Scroggins, Trice more big. but I think every team started 22 games and 37 percent from the Kearns,” Amadeo said.

Clapper, Cael Shepley, Clapper put in 1.8 does,” Padget said. “We averaged 8.5 points, 2.6 floor, 24 percent from “We will also be looking Jake Travis and Trey points and grabbed 2.2 just need to stay togeth- rebounds, 1.7 assists 3-point range and 48 to tap the experience of Wesselink and freshmen rebounds per game last er and keep playing. This and 2.4 steals per con- percent from the line guys like Curtis Gliem Treyton Travis and Ben year. McMinamen gives year might be a battle of test. She shot 36 percent last year. But they aver- and Cole Smith.”

According to Richardson. the Bolts another big attrition.” from 3-point range. aged 50 points per game.

The Bolts were 15-7 man who plays with his The 13 wins were an Tuhn also earned “We’ve had really Amadeo’s preseason rosoverall and 10-2 in con- back to the basket and improvement from the honorable mention rec- good turnouts during ter, the Bolts could fill 11 ference play last season. likes to set screens and six and eight games the ognition in the Heart of open gym time this weights this season.

Freshman Ashten “We hope to build on find open teammates.

Bolts won in their first Iowa Conference. summer and fall when last year, but it might Baxter shot 41 per- two years as a program.

As good as she will we’ve been able to,” Kerwin is slotted at 106. take a little bit of time cent from the floor, 32 Three senior starters help the Bolts on offense, Coach Padget said. “The Hill fits in at 132, freshfinding an identity,” Has- percent from long range were lost to graduation. Padget said Tuhn’s best girls have gotten a ton men Jacob Hiemstra and selbrink said. “There is and 68 percent from the Replacing point guard attribute may be on the of shots up. Other than Cody Samson will battle not much drop off with free-throw line last year. Caitlyn Bruntz is ex- other end of the floor. that, we’ll try to turn our at 145 and Shanks is expected to wrestle at 152. guys seven through 12. The Bolts averaged 60 pected to be junior Elie “Elie is a strong play- defense into offense.”

Freshmen Callyn They all want to play.” points per game.

Tuhn, who transferred er. She is very tough deColo-NESCO has Cody Damman av“We have scrappy in from Class 3A Ne- fensively,” Padget said. owned the Iowa Star Bishop and Cam Peeraged 5.8 points, three guys who play with a lot vada. Seniors McKen- “She fits right in with the Conference South Di- termier will battle for rebounds, 2.4 assists and of energy,” Hasselbrink zie Eslinger and Sophie rest of the team.” vision the past several the varsity spot at 160, freshman Hope Good 1.1 steals per game last said. “We have several Meyer are the returning Vansice played in seasons. year in a secondary role. young guys who have to starters.

23 games last year but The Royals won the is at 170 and freshman He made 19 3-pointers step up. But we still have The other returners could be a full-time league last year at 11-1 Archer McFadden is the and earned honorable a lot of work to do.” with the most varsity ex- starter for the first time but four of the top five team’s lone heavyweight.

“We have a lot of mention all-conference The COVID-19 pan- perience include seniors in her career this winter. leading scorers from freshmen this year who honors. demic is going to be a Maddie Pierce, Merrin Last year, she averaged graduated.

This season, Cody challenge for every pro- Ziesman, Lexi Samson 6.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, C o l l i n s - M a x w e l l put in a ton of work in Damman won’t be in a gram in the state. and Brooke Bacon and 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals went 10-2 last year in eighth grade and in the supporting role. He’s exThe Bolts already junior Lilie Vansice. per game. league play and brings off season,” Amadeo pected to take over for had multiple players in “It’s wide open this Pierce, Ziesman, back three starters and said. “We are excited his brother as the team’s quarantine during the year,” Padget said. “The Samson and Bacon all its top four scorers. The to see who will emerge top scoring option. first week of practice, starting lineup could be appeared in at least 12 Spartans begin the sea- from that group.”

The upcoming season Heer is the top return- but Baxter students wear fluid. There is so much games last winter and son ranked in the top 15 might be the most chaling scorer at 7.7 points masks at school and the leadership on this team. all four hope to be even in Class 1A. per game and also aver- players have worn masks Plus, they genuinely love more involved this year.

Meskwaki Settlement lenging year Amadeo aged four rebounds, 1.5 during practice, too. each other which makes Pierce averaged 3.3 School, which split with will ever experience as a c o a c h i n g points, 1.1 steals and 1.2 Baxter last year, was coach.

Baxter 2020-21 Baxter 2020-21 The COVID-19 panfun.” rebounds per game in 19 one game better in the Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule Varsity Boys Basketball Schedule E s l i n g e r games, Ziesman scored standings at 8-4. The demic presents a lot of Nov. 24 — BCLUW, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 1 — GMG, 7:45 p.m. started 22 2.3 points per game Warriors graduated its challenges to every proDec. 1 — GMG, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 — North Tama, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 — North Tama, 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 — Clarksville, 5 p.m. top scorer but everyone gram in the state.

Dec. 5 — Clarksville, 4 p.m.

Dec. 8 — Meskwaki Settlement Baxter 2020-21 “We will impleelse is back.

Dec. 8 — Meskwaki Settlement School, 7:45 p.m.

Varsity Wrestling Schedule ment safety procedures “Until someone School, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 — Madrid, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 — Sigourney (Cardinal, Montezuma), 5:30 p.m. beats them, my answer as much as possible this Dec. 10 — Madrid, 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 — Valley Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 — Woodward-Granger tournament, 10 a.m. will continue to be Co- season so we can keep Dec. 11 — Valley Lutheran, 6 p.m.

Dec. 15 — Don Bosco, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 — AGWSR, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 15 — Don Bosco, 5 p.m.

Dec. 18 — Waterloo Christian, 7:45 p.m.

Dec. 15 — East Marshall, 6 p.m. lo-NESCO as the favor- our team on the mat,” Dec. 18 — Waterloo Christian, 6 p.m.

Jan. 4 — Mormon Trail, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 19 — Lynnville-Sully tournament, 9 a.m. ite,” Coach Padget said. Amadeo said. “The Jan. 4 — Mormon Trail, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Collins-Maxwell, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 2 — North Tama tournament, 10 a.m.

“Collins-Maxwell also health and safety of Jan. 8 — Collins-Maxwell, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 — Saydel, 730 p.m.

Jan. 7 — Belle Plaine, 6 p.m. our wrestlers is always will be very tough.”

Jan. 11 — Saydel, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Colo-NESCO, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 — North Mahaska tournament, 9 a.m. our primary focus. There Jan. 12 — Colo-NESCO, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 — GMG, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Collins-Maxwell, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 — GMG, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 — North Tama, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 14 — English Valleys/North Mahaska, 6 p.m.

Baxter wrestling hopes will be all kinds of chalJan. 19 — North Tama, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Meskwaki, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 — S. Central Calhoun/ACGC/W-G, 5:30 p.m. lenges, but overcoming rise in numbers leads Jan. 22 — Meskwaki, 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 — BGM, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 — English Valleys (Montezuma, L-S), 6 p.m. challenges is part of the to more success Jan. 25 — BGM, 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Valley Lutheran, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 23 — North Tama tournament, 10 a.m. sport.”

Baxter’s wrestling Jan. 26 — Valley Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Collins-Maxwell, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 — Collins-Maxwell/North Mahaska, 6 p.m. team struggled to fill Feb. 2 — Collins-Maxwell, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Colo-NESCO, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 30 — ACGC tournament, 8 a.m.

Feb. 5 — Colo-NESCO, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 — Lynnville-Sully, 6:15 p.m.

Contact Troy Hyde at Feb. 6 — Sectionals at TBA, Noon half of the 14 weights Feb. 8 — Colfax-Mingo, 6 p.m.

Feb. 8 — Colfax-Mingo, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 — Districts at TBA, Noon 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 during head coach Joe Home games in bold Home games in bold Home meets in bold or thyde@shawmedia.com Amadeo’s first season

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Winter Sports Preview

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020 | 5B

Tigerhawks hope for added success in SICL

C

some nice things this season.”

By Troy Hyde Newton News

olfax-Mingo’s wrestling and boys’ basketball teams have key returners back to help the Tigerhawks compete for an upper-tier finish in the South Iowa Cedar League.

The Tigerhawk girls’ basketball team welcomes back five key returners, but the rest of the roster is in reset mode as the program tries to climb the stairs in a league that features two preseason ranked teams.

All three programs will be young and inexperienced overall. The boys hoops team is under new leadership as Phil Grant takes over the program after Mark Rague resigned after two seasons.

“We return five players that saw significant playing time last year so getting more players ready for varsity minutes will be a focus so we can go deeper into our bench once we start playing games,” Grant said.

Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo Colfax-Mingo senior Noah Strohmeyer, right, is looking to become just the second Tigerhawk wrestler to qualify for three state tournaments. He won his first state match last winter at Wells Fargo Arena.

sity spot at 152.

Aikin wrestled at three different weights last year, finishing 24-15. This year, he’ll get to pick his weight, but Hume expects him to be at 182 or 195.

The roster features 23 wrestlers, 12 boys and 11 girls.

Others battling for varsity action includes junior Mariah Webster at 120 or 126, junior Kylie Doty at 138 of 145, sophomore Tevin Wamsher at 145, junior Gaven Slycord at 220 and junior Kenny Schlosser and senior Jared Gorman at heavyweight.

Four freshmen could work into the varsity lineup, too.

That group includes John McGill at 120, Austin Lane at 126 or 132, Trystin Anderson at 160 and Ben Keeney at 195.

Sophomore Cavan Magnuson also is in the mix at 138.

The remaining crop of girls who plan to push for a state team title in January includes juniors Danica Linn (113), Kirsten Frier (138), Maggie Schroeder (170) and Katie Schlosser (195) and senior Miranda McGill (152).

Junior Melany Vry (145) and freshman Selena Lopez (132) are the newcomers. Senior Elayna Creech (132) and sophomore Joslyn Dawson (126) round out the girls’ roster.

Doty and Webster wrestled in varsity matches last year.

Doty finished 15-8, while Webster was 11-19. Doty finished fifth at the state tournament at 132.

Katie Schlosser placed fourth at state at 195 and went 12-3 on the season. Schroeder took seventh at state at 170.

“Their goal is to win a state team title,” Hume said. “We took seven girls the first year and finished second. We took 16 last year and placed sixth.

Most of the group from last year is back and most of them won at least one match.”

C-M finished fifth at the SICL meet last year but graduated three wrestlers who were top two. Belle Plaine was the conference champion and brings back the most top-two finishers this season.

an impact player for us. He’s put in a ton of work this offseason, and I’m excited to see it pay off for him,” Grant said.

“Cole Bracewell showed his talents as a shooter from the 3-point line last year, and he’s shown a lot of growth as an all around player this offseason.

Strohmeyer leads young “Zach Steenhoek is another Tigerhawk grapplers player who I expect to continSenior Noah Strohmeyer ue playing fantastic defense will try to do something this and playing very well for us season that has only been this year.” done one other time in school Gibson averaged 1.8 points history. and 1.8 rebounds per game, Strohmeyer is in line to be while Lind scored 1.5 points a three-time state qualifier per contest last year. They for Colfax-Mingo’s wrestling both are expected to have bigteam. A few other Tigerhawks ger roles this season. will help Strohmeyer lead a “I think A.J. Gibson and group of young or inexperiColton Lind are going to see enced wrestlers, and a group their role grow this season, of 11 girls are seeking the and I think they’re both preschool’s first state team title, pared to step up to the task,” too.

Grant said.

“We won’t be deep and “A.J. plays with a toughit’s a relatively young team,” Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo ness and grit that I love, and Colfax-Mingo senior Jacob Nich- I’m ready to put it to work for Colfax-Mingo head wresols averaged a double-double our team. Colton is going to tling coach Erin Hume said. last year and was an honorable “We’ll take it one period, one provide us with another quick mention all-conference selecmatch and one day at a time. and athletic guard on both tion.

We won’t lack for intensity or sides of the court.” conditioning.” boys basketball coach.

The supporting cast feaStrohmeyer competed in Grant’s first task during the tures seniors Jason Rhinehart his second state tournament early portion of the season is and Nick Bridges, junior Raylast winter and won his first to figure out who will spell mond Sly, sophomore Carter state match. He enters the seathe starters and provide the Gibson and nine freshmen. son with 79 career wins and Tigerhawks with bench depth.

The Tigerhawks were 14-8 will try to be the first TigerThe good news for Grant is overall and 10-6 in the South hawk to qualify for three state that he got a great look at his Iowa Cedar League last year. tournaments since Michael team during highly attended Colfax-Mingo averaged Bucklin did it for a third time open gyms this offseason.

58 points per game last year. back in 2004.

“I like the depth I think we The Tigerhawks shot 38 perStrohmeyer was the seccan have. We’ve got a good cent from the floor, 27 percent tional champion and confermix of players who can shoot from 3-point range and 65 ence runner-up last year and the ball well, and I’ve really percent from the foul line. finished 30-11. He could stay been impressed with the deGrant said 12-15 players at 106 this year but will start fensive effort I’ve seen from consistently showed up for the season at 113. several players,” Grant said. open gyms in the offseason.

He will begin the season First-team all-conference The transition to a new coach ranked in the top five in Class player Brady Berkey is gone. during a pandemic went as 1A. So is honorable mention se- smooth as it could have gone.

“He doesn’t say much,” lection David Rague.

“All things considered with Hume said. “But he works But the Tigerhawks wel- the pandemic, I thought we hard, and he knows this is it come back honorable men- still had a good offseason,” for him. He had a really good tion choice and senior Jake Grant said. “We’re currentcross country season and has Nichols along with seniors ly 100 percent online at the taken that determination into Zach Steenhoek and A.J. Gib- school, so we’ll begin practice wrestling. He wants to be as son and juniors Cole Brace- online. Not being able to get competitive as he can be.” well and Colton Lind. into the gym with the team is Senior Hunter Stevens and Nichols averaged 12 points, going to be a challenge, but junior Shane Aikin will help 10 rebounds and 1.4 assists we’ll make the best of the sitStrohmeyer lead the Tigerper game last year. uation.” hawks.

Steenhoek put in 8.4 points, Under Grant, the TigerStevens was 27-18 last year, grabbed 2.3 rebounds, dished hawks hope to run a style of winning a sectional title and out 1.3 assists and tallied 1.4 basketball that necessitates a placing fourth at the SICL New staff hopes to keep steals per game while making quicker tempo. He’s a firm bemeet. He’s slotted for the varC-M boys near top of SICL 19 3-pointers. liever of man-to-man defense Grant will have Bracewell was the team’s on the other end. five returning play- best shooter, burying 41 treys.

“It’s about putting players Colfax-Mingo 2020-21 ers and three re- He averaged 8.6 points and in situations that best play Varsity Wrestling Schedule Dec. 3 — North Mahaska (L-S/Belle Plaine), 6 p.m. turning starters in three boards per contest. to their individual strengths, Dec. 4 — BGM tournament, girls, 6 p.m. his first season as “Jake Nichols is going to be and giving them the skills to Dec. 5 — Woodward-Granger tournament, 9 a.m. read their opponent,” Dec. 8 — Woodward-Granger (Perry/Ogden), 6 p.m.

Grant said. “We’ll Dec. 10 — South Hamilton (Saydel/Roland-Story), 6 p.m.

Colfax-Mingo 2020-21 Colfax-Mingo 2020-21 have various looks Dec. 15 — Sigourney-Keota/English Valleys, 6 p.m.

Varsity Boys Basketball Schedule Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule Dec. 17 — PCM (Roland-Story), 6 p.m. defensively to be best Dec. 1 — Lynnville-Sully, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 1 — Lynnville-Sully, 6 p.m.

Dec. 18 — Chariton tournament, girls, 5 p.m.

Dec. 4 — Montezuma, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 — East Marshall, 7:30 p.m. prepared for our opDec. 19 — Boone tournament, girls, 10 a.m.

Dec. 8 — BGM, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 — Montezuma, 6 p.m. ponents, too.”

Dec. 19 — Lynnville-Sully tournament, 10 a.m.

Dec. 11 — North Mahaska, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 — BGM, 6 p.m.

Monte z u ma Jan. 2 — Girls home tournament, 10 a.m.

Dec. 15 — HLV, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 — North Mahaska, 6 p.m. reached the state Jan. 7 — BGM (Montezuma/Pleasantville), 6 p.m.

Dec. 17 — English Valleys, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 — HLV, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 — PCM tournament, 9 a.m. semifinals last year Dec. 22 — Keota, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 — English Valleys, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Ogden tournament (girls), 9 a.m.

Jan. 5 — Sigourney, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 — Keota, 6 p.m. and will be the favorJan. 12 — Baxter (Collins-Maxwell), 6 p.m.

Jan. 7 — Collins-Maxwell, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 — Sigourney, 6 p.m. ite in the SICL again Jan. 14 — HLV/Bondurant-Farrar, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Belle Plaine, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 7 — Collins-Maxwell, 6 p.m. this season.

Jan. 16 — Greene County tournament, girls only, 10 a.m.

Jan. 12 — Tri-County, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Belle Plaine, 6 p.m.

“I think the SICL Jan. 21 — Iowa Valley, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Iowa Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Tri-County, 6 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Girls State Wrestling will once again be a Jan. 18 — W. Central Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Iowa Valley, 6 p.m.

Tournament, Coraville, 2 p.m. (Day 1) Jan. 19 — Lynnville-Sully, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 — W. Central Valley, 6 p.m. solid conference with Jan. 23 — Girls State Wrestling Jan. 22 — Montezuma, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 — Lynnville-Sully, 6 p.m. several talented teams Tournament, Coraville, 9 a.m. (Day 2) Jan. 26 — BGM, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Montezuma, 6 p.m. ready to battle on the Jan. 23 — Colfax-Mingo tournament, 9 a.m.

Jan. 29 — North Mahaska, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 — BGM, 6 p.m. court every night,” Jan. 26 — Pleasantville/SE Warren, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 — HLV, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29 — North Mahaska, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 — BGM, SICL tournament, 10 a.m.

Grant said. “NothFeb. 4 — Melcher-Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 — HLV, 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 — Sectionals at TBA, Noon Feb. 8 — Baxter, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 — Melcher-Dallas, 6 p.m. ing comes easy in our Feb. 13 — Districts at TBA, Noon Feb. 12 — EBF, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 8 — Baxter, 6 p.m. conference, but we’ll Home meets in bold Home games in bold Home games in bold be prepared to do

Five returners to lead C-M girls hoops Like most programs, Colfax-Mingo’s girls’ basketball team graduated a handful of players last season.

But the Tigerhawks lost another starter when the family left the district and several other players decided not to go out this winter.

That leaves Colfax-Mingo with five returning players and only 12 in all as second-year head coach Blake Warrick continues to try to rebuild a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2007-08.

And on top of all of that, he wasn’t able to start practices in the gym when he was allowed to because the school district paused all activities after moving to a 100 percent virtual learning model due to the rise in COVID-19 numbers.

“The main goal is to improve from last year,” Warrick said. “We finished a little below the middle of the conference, and I know that we left a couple games out there that we could have won.

“We just need to play more basketball in general. I tried to focus on the girls getting up as many shots as possible in the offseason. A couple extra made shots would have taken us from seven to 10 wins potentially.”

The Tigerhawks were 7-15 overall last year and 5-11 in the SICL. Colfax-Mingo went 15-5 in 2007-08, but the program has not won more than seven games since.

Warrick will have five returning players from last year to lead the rebuild. The other seven players have no varsity experience at all.

“I’ve got a good group that is coachable and gets along well,” Warrick said. “We should be a fast team and every returning player is able to shoot from anywhere on the floor. We’ll struggle with depth, having such little basketball experience off the bench.”

The five experienced players includes senior Brennan Rhone, junior Kyra Lester and sophomores Carley Underwood, Abi Rawlins and Caylee Cunningham.

Underwood, Rhone and Lester started all 22 games last year. Cunningham played in all 22 games. Rawlins played in 20 games.

Underwood is the leading returning scorer at 9.8 points per game. She also averaged 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game and buried 19 3-pointers.

Underwood was an honorable mention all-conference choice last season.

Rawlins scored 6.3 points per game and grabbed 1.6 boards per contest. She hit 12 treys.

Rhone averaged 5.4 points, three rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, while Lester scored nearly four points per game and averaged a team-best six boards per tilt. Cunningham averaged 1.6 points and 2.7 boards per game.

Warrick said he is looking for a collective effort to make up for the players who won’t be back this year.

“I am looking to the five returning players to set the standard for the new players,” Warrick said.

The rest of the roster includes senior Kira Warrick, sophomore Felicity Woods and freshmen Madison Riddle, Ellie Hunsberger, Addi Schroeder, McKenna Heisler and Lizzy Audas.

The Tigerhawks shot 31 percent from the floor, 24 percent from long range and 54.7 percent from the line. Colfax-Mingo averaged 39 points per game.

TIGERHAWKS | 8B

6B |

Winter Sports Preview

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020

Mustangs look to regain place at top of HOIC

A

By Troy Hyde Newton News

ll three PCM winter sports teams were not in the mix for Heart of Iowa Conference championships at the end of last season.

Key returners on all three squads and a change in the conference landscape hopes to be enough to push the Mustangs back to the top.

“Despite the 12-11 record, I really felt our kids had a really good year,” said PCM boys head basketball coach Fred Lorensen, who is 11 wins away from 600 in his career. “The tough finish was much more due to the level of our competition than it was how we played.”

Tool, Fenton lead improved Mustang grapplers PCM wrestling coach Jeff Nicholson has a lot of athletes on his roster who played on the Mustangs’ successful football team this past fall.

Nicholson gave the football players a week off to reset their bodies.

Senior Colby Tool decided one day was more than enough.

Tool has big goals for his final season on the mat. He seeks to become only the second wrestler in PCM history to claim four state medals. He also wants to become the second state champion.

Lucas Roland was the first to accomplish both feats.

“Colby showed up after one day off because that’s Colby,” Nicholson said.

“It’s hard to keep him away.”

Tool is joined by fellow senior Landon Fenton as the leaders in the room.

Fenton also has big aspirations, hoping to grab his first state medal this winter.

The Mustangs will have about 17 wrestlers this season. Nicholson thinks his squad will be able to bounce back from a disappointing team season last year.

“We should be more competitive and better earlier this year,” Nicholson said. “We just had a ton of open weights last year. We’ll get some more of those filled this year.”

Tool and Fenton both start the season ranked in their respective weights.

Nicholson said it’s too early to know where both guys will end up weightwise, but he expects Fenton to be 138, 145 or 152 and Tool to hold down the varsity spot at 160.

“Physically, both guys look great,” Nicholson said. “They are both stronger and will be hard to handle again this year.”

Tool injured his leg last year in the final football game of the season and was limited to a 20-4 record in wrestling. He wound up seventh at state at 152 pounds.

He was 45-4 and finished sixth as a sophomore and was 36-10 and took fourth as a freshman. Tool is a threetime sectional champion and a twotime district champ. Tool has 101 career wins.

Fenton comes into the season with 103 wins. He was 43-10 last year, 21-6 as a sophomore and 39-10 as a freshman.

The bigPCM 2020-21 gest Varsity Boys Basketball Schedule Dec. 1 — Knoxville, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 — Montezuma, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 — Nevada, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 — Pella Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 — Saydel, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 — Greene County, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 18 — West Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 21 — East Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 — Roland-Story, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 — Earlham, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 — South Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 — Fairfield, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Nevada, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 — Pella, 3 p.m.

Jan. 19 — Saydel, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Greene County, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 — West Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Roland-Story, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9 — South Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 — South Hardin, 7:45 p.m.

Home games in bold

Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo PCM senior Colby Tool, top, seeks to become only the school’s second state champion and second four-time state medalist this season for the Mustang wrestling team.

Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo PCM junior Durant Van Dyke is back this year for the Mustang boys’ basketball team. Van Dyke is the top returning scorer, putting in just less than eight points per game last year.

questions in PCM’s lineup will come in the lower weights. Freshman Remington Fry is expected to be the starter at 106, but Nicholson said they are still trying to fill 126, 132 and 138.

Sophomore Alex Courtney will be either 106 or 113 and freshman Hewitt Brinegar will be either 120 or 126.

“I haven’t gotten some guys out yet so we still have a few spots that could be open,” Nicholson said.

Senior Brian Nicholson is back and could be the varsity starter at 145. He has battled injuries and sickness his first three seasons.

“We are just hoping for a healthy season,” said Coach Nicholson, who is Brian’s father. “He broke his leg as a freshman, had some nagging knee and hand injuries as a sophomore and had a concussion early in the season last year.”

Sophomores Zeb Padget and William Vanderpool also are back this year, and Coach Nicholson thinks they will be starters PCM 2020-21 somewhere,

Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule Dec. 3 — Montezuma, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 — Nevada, 6 p.m.

Dec. 7 — Pella Christian, 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 — Saydel, 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 — Greene County, 6 p.m.

Dec. 18 — West Marshall, 6 p.m.

Dec. 21 — Newton, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 — Roland-Story, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 — South Hamilton, 6 p.m.

Jan. 11 — Fairfield, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Nevada, 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 — Pella, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 — Saydel, 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Greene County, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 — West Marshall, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Roland-Story, 6 p.m.

Feb. 9 — South Hamilton, 6 p.m.

Home games in bold

PCM boys hope experience is enough to return to top of HOIC PCM’s boys’ basketball team averaged 52 points per game last season.

And more than half of that production was lost to graduation.

So once long-time head coach Fred Lorensen gets all of his players at practice, the early stages of the season will be used to figure out how to replace the 30 points and around 12 rebounds per game that was lost to graduation.

“We have seven players returning from our varsity group from the end of the year,” Lorensen said. “We do have three returning starters so we certainly expect a lot from each of them.”

The returning starters are seniors Gatlin Boell and Andrew Mitchell and junior Durant Van Dyke.

Van Dyke and Boell are the top returning players. Van Dyke averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and one block per game last PCM 2020-21 season, while Varsity Wrestling Schedule Dec. 3 — Ogden (Greene County, Van Meter), 6 p.m.

Boell had per Dec. 5 — DCG tourney, 10 a.m. game averages Dec. 10 — West Marshall of 6.8 points, (Nevada/Woodward-Granger), 6 p.m. five rebounds, Dec. 17 — Roland-Story, 6:30 p.m.

2.3 assists and Dec. 19 — SE Polk Tournament, 10 a.m.

Jan. 5 — Saydel, 6 p.m. one steal.

Jan. 9 — PCM Tournament, 9:15 a.m.

Boell and Jan. 14 — Greene County (S. Hamilton), 6 p.m.

Van Dyke both Jan. 16 — Centerville tournament, TBA were honorJan. 22 — Greene County (HOIC), 5 p.m. able mention Jan. 23 — Urbandale Tournament, TBD Feb. 6 — Sectionals at Knoxville, Noon all-conference Feb. 13 — Districts at ADM, Noon selections last Home meets in bold year.

Balanced effort key for PCM girls hoops PCM girls’ basketball coach Jeff Lindsay welcomes back four seniors from last year’s team, but the Mustangs graduated four seniors, three starters and the school’s all-time leading scorer.

Lindsay hopes his team can get contributions from everyone to fill in for the losses.

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most likely at 170 and 182. Vanderpool won 16 matches last year, while Padget won 15 times.

Freshman Nate Richards also is out this year. He’s an upper weight guy who could figure into the lineup at 170 or 182.

Sophomore Donovan Nickelson is expected to take the spot at 195. He was 12-15 at 220 last year.

Senior Cooper Sloan is the projected starter at 220. Heavyweight could come down to seniors Kinser Sloan and Chris Marshall and sophomore Caleb Kuefner.

The Heart of Iowa Conference will look different moving forward as North Polk and Gilbert are out and West Marshall is back in.

“West Marshall is a solid addition.

We expect them to be a challenge every year,” Coach Nicholson said.

None of the above matters if the Mustangs run into trouble with COVID-19.

No one truly knows what will happen with the pandemic, but Nicholson said PCM is keeping any wrestler with symptoms out of the room.

“We aren’t doing separate practices or anything, but we are keeping those with symptoms out of the room,” Coach Nicholson said. “Without the junior high wrestlers right now, we have plenty of room with what we have to work with. We have pods of four for partners and we are cleaning more than usual.”

Mitchell brings back 4.7 points, two rebounds, 2.1 assists and one steal per game averages.

The next top returning player is senior Grant Landgrebe, who averaged 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds per game a year ago.

“I feel this year we have a chance to be a really good defensive team,” Lorensen said. “We have several long, athletic players who can play and guard multiple positions.”

Lorensen and his coaching staff will pick their varsity roster from a list of eight seniors, seven juniors and three sophomores.

Lorensen expects the rest of his top seven to include senior Sage Burns, junior Carson VandeLune and sophomore August Stock.

“Carson VandeLune and Augie Stock came up late in the year, so that should really give them a leg up on our other younger kids,” Lorensen said.

“We expect both of those kids to help us out big time. So we certainly expect to go seven deep. If we can play more than that, that would be fine. Most of these top seven kids can play multiple positions, which really helps.”

The rest of the varsity roster could come down to seniors Justin Maggard, Gabe Lanphier, Carson Duinink and Jay Meinders, juniors Keaton Thomas, Matt Rosonke, Cade Lindsay, Drake Roorda and Ayden Helton and sophomores Brayden Nessa and Grant Van Veen.

“The original plan would have been for the second group to be our top JV team, but in just two days of practice, we have already seen two or three of those kids looking like they could be pushing for some varsity playing time,” Lorensen said.

The Mustangs shot 39 percent from the floor last year, 30 percent from 3-point range and 62 percent from the foul line.

PCM has had a winning record every year since the 2006-07 season, which is as far as quikstatsiowa.com goes back to.

The Mustangs were 12-11 overall and 7-7 in the Heart of Iowa Conference last year. They were 11-5 after 16 games though.

“We have been very fortunate through the years in having some really good kids who also were really good players,” Lorensen said. “We have also been very fortunate to have a lot of continuity in our coaching staff. That has really been a big reason for our consistency, as well.

The HOIC will look different this year as West Marshall is back in and Gilbert and North Polk are out. Gilbert won the league last year at 10-2.

West Marshall finished 6-17 overall and it was 3-9 in the North Iowa Cedar League.

“Just based on the stats of returning players, it would appear that Roland-Story, Nevada and South Hamilton could be considered the favorites,” Lorenson said. “We certainly are planning on being in the thick of things, too.”

The Mustangs have already felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lorensen said they’ve had kids who have missed school and practice because of being sick or in quarantine.

It will likely be a battle all season long.

“We have a lot of kids who really love to play, so we are thankful for every day we get to be out there playing and are hopeful that the season can continue as scheduled,” Lorensen said.

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Winter Sports Preview

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020 | 7B

Lynnville-Sully looking to rebound in SICL

By Troy Hyde Newton News

L

ynnville-Sully’s basketball programs are usually one of the better teams in the South Iowa Cedar League every year.

Last year, the Hawk boys had their first losing season in 13 years and the wrestling program had quite a few holes in its varsity lineup.

Even the girls’ basketball team, which usually battles for the SICL title, was 11-5 in league play and finished in a tie for fourth.

This year’s girls’ team features a plethora of seniors, the wrestling team has a much larger roster and the boys’ hoops team hopes last year’s experience on the floor helps them improve this season.

“Our expectations are to compete at a high level and improve each day and hopefully at the end of the day we are talking about all the successes,” L-S head girls’ basketball coach Jerry Hulsing said. “We hope to compete for a conference championship.”

Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo Lynnville-Sully sophomore Gentry Walston won 25 matches last year and will be one of the key returners for the Hawk wrestling team this winter.

L-S wrestling hopes larger roster leads to more team success L y n n v i l l e - S u l l y ’s wrestling team will have just two seniors on the roster this season.

The total number of wrestlers on the mat this year will be more than last year, but head coach Jason Walston will still be dealing with a young squad.

Walston expects two or three of the four freshmen on the team to find a spot into the varsity lineup. The Hawks also bring back sophomore Gentry Walston, who won 25 matches last year, and sophomore Reese Dunsbergen, who was a district qualifier a year ago.

“All of our returners will be key,” Coach Walston said. “With two seniors, we are still young.”

The two seniors are C.J. Snethen and Lane Mathis.

Snethen was 14-10 and finished third at sectionals last year at 132 pounds, while Mathis was 18-8 and also finished third at sectionals at 220.

The three juniors are Gabe Wearmouth, Miles Mintle and Brodey Johnson.

Weamouth was 9-6 a year ago, Johnson finished 11-17 at 138 and Mintle didn’t see varsity action because of an injury.

The rest of the lineup features either freshmen or sophomores.

Walston was 2512 and finished third at sectionals at 113 pounds. He also was the conference runner-up.

Dunsbergen was a district qualifier and finished 12-14 at 152.

Sophomore Malcolm Hay was 14-14 at 145, sophomore Caleb Rea finished 17-20 at 120 and Elizabeth Elliott ended up 17-12 at 106.

Lynnville-Sully 2020-21 Varsity Wrestling Schedule Sophomore Kyle Dec. 1 — Davis County (Ottumwa/Pella/Pekin), 5:30 p.m.

Squires was .500 in Dec. 3 — North Mahaska (Colfax-Mingo/Belle Plaine), 6 p.m. his four matches at Dec. 5 — Montezuma tournament, 10 a.m.

145. The four freshDec. 12 — Saydel Invitational, 9 a.m. men are Sam Philby Dec. 15 — Iowa Valley (Collins-Maxwell/Wilton), 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 — L-S tournament, 9 a.m.

(120), Trevor Van Jan. 2 — Colfax-Mingo Girls tournament, 9 a.m.

Wyk (120), Maxwell Jan. 7 — HLV/North Tama, 6 p.m.

Mintle (138) and Jan. 9 — North Mahaska tournament, 10 a.m.

Isaac Vos (160).

Jan. 14 — BGM/Sigourney-Keota, 6 p.m.

“The middle Jan. 16 — Pleasantville tournament, 9 a.m.

Jan. 21 — English Valleys (Baxter/Montezuma), 6 p.m. weights will have a Jan. 23 — Colfax-Mingo tournament, 10 a.m. lot of competition as Jan. 26 — Chariton (Martensdale-St. Marys/EBF), 5:30 p.m. we are two and three Jan. 28 — Pleasantville (Panorama), 5:30 p.m. deep at some spots,” Jan. 30 — BGM (SICL), 10 a.m.

Coach Walston said.

Feb. 6 — Sectionals at Colfax-Mingo, Noon Feb. 13 — Districts at Pleasantville, Noon “The freshmen will Home meets in bold have an impact this

ranked eighth in the SICL last year.

Five Hawks averaged at least 1.4 assists per game last year.

In the season-opener against EBF last week, L-S had 15 assists on its 19 made field goals.

“We believe we put five kids on the floor who can score so it is hard for the defense to stop,” Hulsing said. “We always are looking to find the open person and try to get the ball to them at the right time so they can score. We like to celebrate a pass just as much as the basket.”

Junior Reagan McFarland provides the Hawks with punch off the bench as she averSenior-dominant Hawk aged 3.1 points, 2.3 regirls hope to return to bounds, 2.7 assists and top of SICL standings 1.3 steals per game in 18 Troy Hyde/Newton News file photo Lynnville-Sully’s girls’ Lynnville-Sully senior Krystal Van Dyke averaged a dou- games last season. The basketball program has ble-double last season for the Hawks. L-S begins the 2.7 assists per contest recorded double-digit season ranked No. 9 in Class 1A. ranked seventh in the wins every year since at SICL. least 2006-07. both ranked in the top “I have never focused Senior Meleisha Vos Last year’s 15-7 mark 10 most of last season. on one player,” Hulsing played in 20 games would be acceptable in And Sigourney also fin- said. “It is going to be last year, averaging 2.3 a lot of places. At Lyn- ished ahead of L-S in the important that we are all points and 2.3 rebounds nville-Sully, it’s a down final SICL standings. good this season. With per contest. year as the Hawks exMontezuma starts the unknown of what Sophomore Greenlee pect to compete for con- this season ranked the future holds we all Smock played in eight ference championships eighth in Class 1A, while have to be ready ... this games, averaging 1.5 and for state tournament Lynnville-Sully begins year will be truly the points and 1.5 rebounds berths. ninth. next man in philosophy.” per game.

Hulsing and his long Hulsing is hoping a Van Dyke missed six The rest of the varsitime assistant coach Jeff roster that includes four games because of an in- ty roster includes senior Corbett are hoping a returning starters gives jury last season. Senior Megan Van Zante, juroster of six experienced the Hawks a leg up on Cally Gibbs started all nior Natalie Nikkel and seniors can help push the competition.

22 games, senior Ko- 6-foot sophomore centhe Hawks back to the Leading the way this rinne Jansen started 21 ter Haylei Routier. top of the SICL. season will be 6-foot of 22 games and senior Nikkel played in 18 “The league will be senior Krystal Van Caitlin Alberts was in games last year. Van more balanced. You will Dyke, who averaged the starting lineup in all Zante is back out this have not the elite teams 13.7 points and 11.4 re- 20 games she played in. year after not playing but will have several bounds last year for the Gibbs averaged 9.2 last year. good teams all compet- Hawks. She was a sec- points, 3.5 rebounds and Hulsing said he has ing for the top,” Huls- ond team all-SICL play- 1.8 assists per game last 17 players out this seaing said. “Montezuma, er last year. year. Jansen had per- son. Ten of those 17 are Sigourney, Iowa Valley, The 11.4 rebounds game averages of 7.4 listed on the varsity rosBelle Plaine will be bet- per game ranked second points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 ter online so far. ter and North Mahaska in the SICL and eighth in assists and 1.4 steals.

“I am excited about has some good, young 1A. She also ranked fifth They were both hon- the depth and our numkids. And then we ex- in the SICL in blocks per orable mention all-SICL ber of seniors,” Hulspect to be there, too.” game at 1.6 and aver- last year. ing said. “Seniors know Montezuma and aged 1.4 assists and 1.6 Alberts averaged 3.1 what it takes to compete North Mahaska were steals per contest. points, 1.7 rebounds and in a full basketball sea2.6 assists son and the focus needper game, ed to perform at a high Lynnville-Sully 2020-21 Lynnville-Sully 2020-21 w h i c h level.”

Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule Varsity Boys Basketball Schedule Nov. 20 — EBF, 6 p.m.

Nov. 23 — Pleasantville, 6 p.m.

Dec. 1 — Colfax-Mingo, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 — BGM, 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 — East Marshall, 5 p.m.

Dec. 8 — North Mahaska, 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 — HLV, 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 — Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 5 p.m.

Dec. 15 — Montezuma, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 18 — Keota, 6 p.m.

Dec. 22 — English Valleys, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 — Belle Plaine, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Tr-County, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Iowa Valley, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Sigourney, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 — Colfax-Mingo, 6 p.m.

Jan. 22 — BGM, 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 — North Mahaska, 6 p.m.

Jan. 29 — HLV, 6 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Montezuma, 6 p.m.

Feb. 4 — Colo-NESCO, 6 p.m.

Home games in bold

Dec. 1 — Colfax-Mingo, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 — BGM, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 — East Marshall, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 — North Mahaska, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 — HLV, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 — Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 — Montezuma, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 18 — Keota, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 — English Valleys, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 — Belle Plaine, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 — Tr-County, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 — Iowa Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Sigourney, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 — Colfax-Mingo, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 — BGM, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 — North Mahaska, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29 — HLV, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 — Montezuma, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 — Colo-NESCO, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 — Baxter, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 9 — EBF, 7:30 p.m.

Home games in bold

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L-S boys reset roster after heavy graduation One of the best things about athletics is that every year is a fresh start.

And after Lynnville-Sully’s boys’ basketball team suffered its first losing season in at least 13 years, L-S head coach Nick Harthoorn hopes to get the Hawks back on the winning track.

The Hawks started five seniors last year but bring back only two this season. So Harthoorn will need production from all grade levels, including players who have little to no varsity experience.

“We have an extremely young team,” Harthoorn said. “Our guys have to understand that all the little things matter. If we can learn to be disciplined, I think we can do some real positive things this year.”

The two seniors on this year’s team are Carter Dunsbergen and Mason Jansen, who made a combined two starts last season.

Jansen averaged 2.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in 14 games last season, while Dunsbergen played in seven games and averaged 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per contest.

Junior Mason Rodibaugh is the top returning scorer after averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 21 games last year. Rodibaugh also made six starts.

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year, too.”

There could be some opportunities for a lot of wrestlers. The Hawks brought just six grapplers to the SICL meet last year and finished ninth. Only five of those wrestlers are back this season.

The number grew to eight for sectionals, but that still leaves six open weights.

With 15 wrestlers out this winter, Coach Walston expects the Hawks will be more competitive as a team in duals and tournaments.

“I think we will compete with everyone and pick up more wins than last year,” Coach Walston said. “This year will be a challenge (because of COVID-19) but all we can do is adjust to whatever changes come.”

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8B |

Winter Sports Preview

Mustangs Continued from Page 6B The Mustangs are trying to flip the script and claim their first winning record since playing in the state tournament in 2016-17.

And Lindsay will try to do all of that in the middle of a pandemic that’s been full of twists and turns since March.

“It’s going to be a weird year,” Lindsay said. “I’ll be in wait and see mode early to see what we have and how girls play. We’ll need everyone to pitch in. Hopefully opposing teams will have to prepare for all of us.”

PCM went 10-13 overall and 7-7 in the Heart of Iowa Conference last year.

The climb back to .500 and an upper-tier finish in the HOIC starts with the play of four seniors who all have been

Baird

www.newtondailynews.com | Thursday & Friday | Nov 26 & 27, 2020

playing varsity for at least the past two seasons.

Leading the way for the Mustangs will be seniors Lilli Baird and Emma George, who are the two returning

starters.

Baird averaged 7.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and one steal per game. She was an honorable mention all-conference selection last season.

George averaged 3.6 points, 4.3 boards, 1.7 steals and 1.3 assists per contest.

The other two seniors who are expected to have larger roles this year are Celeste Wagaman and Riley Hjortshoj.

Wagaman averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 boards per

Tigerhawks

game, while Hjortshoj scored 1.6 points per game and grabbed three boards per tilt.

The only other returning players who saw significant varsity playing time last year were sophomore Paige Steenhoek and junior Emily Foster.

Steenhoek averaged 2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and one assist per contest.

“I got her experience last year by design because I knew we would need her in a bigger role this year,” Lindsay said of Steenhoek.

“Emily has been on the varsity squad for a few years now.

We’ll need her move this year for sure.”

Foster was the only junior on the roster at the time of the preseason interview with Lindsay.

The other players who he expects to see varsity action are sophomores Sidney Shaver and Sophia Steenhoek.

Rebound

Continued from Page 5B

Continued from Page 7B

The offseason was hectic for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Warrick said he had open gyms when he could. And he feels like practicing remotely for the first several days of the season would go as well as it could go.

“I had open gyms when the rules allowed, but the pandemic complicated things a little bit,” Coach Warrick said.

“I’ll cover the Xs and Os side of things but nothing simulates actually playing the game or the kind of workout you get from a basketball practice. We’re going to be behind in conditioning and Underwood team chemistry.”

Montezuma and Lynnville-Sully begin the season ranked in the top 10 in 1A and are the favorites this season.

“Obviously, on the west side Montezuma, North Mahaska and Lynnville-Sully are the teams to beat,” Coach Warrick said. “Our expectations have changed a little due to lower numbers and no real practice for at least the first week.”

The other two players who saw varsity action last year are sophomores Conner Maston and Preston Rodibaugh. Maston played in all 21 games and averaged 4.4 points and two rebounds per game, while Preston Rodibaugh averaged 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in 18 contests.

“Mason Jansen and Mason Rodibaugh are the upperclassmen with the most experience,” Harthoorn said. “They both did some nice things for us last season. Conner Maston and Preston Rodibaugh got some experience as freshmen. We are going to need them to play much bigger roles this season.”

The other juniors on this year’s team include Ryan Annee, Josh Hardenbrook and Noah Johnson.

The rest of the sophomores include Jacob Fogle, Matt Egging, Carsten James, Kale Ehresman, Lane Fisk, Tyson Jansen, James Gruver and Mathias Torres.

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

long as we score. I do want our defense to be better. I want that be a staple of the program.”

The HOIC will look different this year. Gilbert and North Polk are out and West Marshall is back in. Roland-Story spent most of last year in the Class 3A rankings and begins this season ranked in the top 10.

Lindsay expects the Norse to be the favorites but feels like it’s a toss up after that.

“West Marshall is coming into the league and they are always tough,” Lindsay said. “I am excited to get started and see how it goes.”

West Marshall was 18-3 last year and finished 11-1 in the North Iowa Cedar League West Division.

PCM shot 31.5 percent from the floor, 23 percent from 3-point range and 53 percent from the free-throw line last year.

The Mustangs averaged 42 points per game but lost alltime leading scorer Regan Freland, who scored nearly 17 points per contest.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still alive and well, Lindsay said most of the offseason workouts were on their own. But they did do a few open courts outside this summer.

Lindsay said the experience of his four seniors are one of the team’s strengths. He wants the Mustangs to get back to being a defensive-minded team and said they need to be better on the glass.

“We should be able to handle things that get thrown at us this year,” Lindsay said. “It doesn’t matter who scores as

There also are nine freshmen on this year’s roster.

Harthoorn is not ready to say who sees varsity time and who doesn’t.

“Most of our team is new to M. Rodibaugh the varsity level, so we’ll just have to see who steps up,” Harthoorn said. “I don’t want to put additional pressure on any of these young men.”

The Hawks were 5-16 overall and 4-12 in the SICL last year.

They shot 35 percent from the floor, 30 percent from 3-point range and 64 percent from the foul line.

L-S averaged 56 points per game, delivering 11 assists per contest.

Montezuma is expected to be the heavy favorite in the SICL this year after playing in the state semifinals last year. After that, the league is pretty wide open.

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

“North Mahaska has a nice mix of experience and young talent that will make them tough to beat, too,” Harthoorn said. “In the East Division, Belle Plaine and Keota both have quality programs and look to be the favorites on that side again.

“I’m not concerned with expectations. I just want to see this group of young men invest in each other and work to be disciplined. If they can do that for the long term, I believe good things will happen for them.”

The COVID-19 pandemic could play a role with any program in the state this winter.

Harthoorn will try to keep the focus on what his team can control.

“It’s certainly going to be challenging and frustrating at times,” Harthoorn said. “We can’t allow all the uncertainties to take away from what we can get accomplished right now.”

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@shawmedia.com

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Check with us for brake & exhaust work, shocks & struts, CV shafts & all minor repair service.

Flat tire recovery & jump start service.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Lonnie Portner, Agent

RICKS’S AMOCO

24 hr. Pay At Pump

Convenient downtown 1st Ave. location

Apply for a BP Card & SAVE!