Blackjacks aim to be better this season

Dawson-Boyd’s Keegon Wicht dribbles into the lane during a Section 3A-North play-in game against Canby on March 15, 2021 from DawsonBoyd High School. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune file photo

Dawson-Boyd returns top point guard Keegon Wicht

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

DAWSON — After being one of the bottom dwellers in the Camden Conference last season, the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks are planning to move up in the standings.

“I think we come into the season as a middleof-the-pack team with the potential to compete with veteran teams,” Dawson-Boyd head coach Cory Larson said. “Defending consistently for 36 minutes and staying away from long offensive droughts will be the key.”

The Blackjacks were 3-13 in the Camden’s North Division and 4-16 overall. They hope to do better for Larson, who is in his 16th season and has a career record of 269-140.

There is one returning starter. Keegon Wicht, a 5-foot-11 junior point guard, returns after averaging 14.6 last season. Letterwinners returning include three seniors, three juniors and a freshman.

The seniors are Braxton Hahn, Collin Swedzinski and Caleb Torke. Junior letterwinners back include Carter Bowen, Levi Olson and Aiden Swenson.

Brayson Boike, a ninth-grader, earned a varsity letter, too. There’s not much size. Boike is the tallest returner at 6-2.

Newcomers to watch include junior Matt Martinson and ninth-grader Drew Hjelmeland. Larson and his coaching staff, which includes Keifer Stratmoen and Dustin Hjelmeland, believe the Blackjacks will be stronger, like they were when they finished 17-9 in 2019-20.

They are off to a promising start, having beaten Ortonville 71-14 in their opener.

Wicht, as expected, led the way with 18 points, five steals and three assists. Boike, the freshman, had 16 points and seven rebounds. Olson chipped in with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Swenson pulled down 11 rebounds. The good start gives Dawson-Boyd hope.