Local courts began to see action last week as the Girls teams began their season. Now it’s time for the Boys to join in. In the Gold Big Rapids will defend their title with most of last year's starting lineup intact while graduation slammed the starting 5’s of Fremont, Grant and Newaygo. The Pack has all conference junior Jordon McDonald back while the Tigers return all stater Seth Schuitema. Bryce Decker who evolved into a force in the paint last year as a sophomore will look to take up where he left off for the Lion But each of the three teams lost a lot of points to the cap and gown and it will be interesting to see who steps up to fill those gaps. In the Silver Holton will look to hold onto the conference crown behind a strong group including Wyatt Monette, one of 4 starting seniors, and sophomore point guard Carter Brant in his second Varsity season. Hesperia saw an exodus of seniors and are perhaps the youngest team in the conference with both returning starters (Maddox Mosley and Armando Escobedo) still in their junior years while White Cloud brings back some scoring punch with Mason Reuther and Taylor Bode. We asked our area coaches for a little info on their teams Fremont Coach Adam Bowen Key Returnees- Jordon McDonald # 24- 6'3" Junior forward -He is the only returning starter/very athletic/improved shooter and defender/looking for him to take a big step forward this year Logan Nelson #2- 5'9" Senior point guard -Great leader/see's the floor really well/good ball handler and penetrator Joey DeLong #1- 5'9" Senior shooting guard -Good shooter/competes hard on every play/our best defender Key newcomers- Gavin Richards #21- 6'4" Sophomore center -Very athletic/runs the floor well/good shooting touch Eli Shears #3- 6'0'' Senior guard Blake Hanshue #4- 6'1" Senior guard Chase Rasmussen #44- Senior center Tegan Reichert-Slater #22- Senior forward Carl Vliem #11- Junior guard Justin Dirheimer #23- Junior guard Brenden Maka- #55- Junior Center Landon Bartolameolli- Junior Center Coach Bowen: We have a team that loves to compete. We are going to work hard every game and be a fun team to watch. I feel like we could be a really good defensive team with quickness and athleticism at every position. We will be balanced on offense, with a number of kids that will be a threat to score. I feel like we will be one of the top teams in our conference. Fremont will open on the road against Shelby on Tuesday before hosting the defending champion BR Cards on Friday. Both games begin at 7:30pm. Newaygo Coach Jason Long Returnees: Seniors Gabriel Schilman, Kody Bazzett, Amaree James, Camden Crotser Juniors Bryce Decker Sophomore Josiah Long Newcomers: Juniors: Grant Harkness Remy Wells Dyllan Bazzett Bryce Grugett Jaden Osawabine Coach Long: The team has been working hard and that will give us an opportunity for success throughout the season. This group likes to compete and I am anxious to see how the team will grow throughout the year. Newaygo opens at Sparta Tuesday at 7pm then travels to Stanton Friday at 7:30pm to begin conference play against Central Montcalm. Grant Coach Joe Schuitema Senior returnees. Sawyer Carr #20 Isaac Higgins #12 Seth Schuitema #23 Newcomers Jr. Zak Barnhart #4 Jr. Gage Cronk #11 Sr. Giovanni Follador #24 (Exchange Student) Jr. Chase Geers #21 Jr. Jaxon Gragg #15 So. Lucas Swanson #3 Jr. Austin Whitney #1 Jr. Mason Woodard #25 Coach Schuitema: We have one returning starter, All-Stater Seth Schuitema. Sawyer Carr and Isaac Higgins look to contribute this season as returning seniors. The rest of the roster is unproven at the varsity level, but they are the most versatile group I've ever coached. We are excited to see the team's development this season! The Tigers welcome in Kent City at 7pm Tuesday before heading north Friday to take on the Coyotes in Reed City at 7:30pm. White Cloud Coach Bob Jones Returnees. #0 Mason Ruether. Jr. #14 Taylor Bode. Sr #32. Donovan Stevens. Sr #34. Wes. Penland. Sr #42. Jared Watson. Sop. Newcomers #12. Vinny Ockert. Jr #15. Traveon Brandon. Sr #20. Kevin Straight. Sop. #23. Romeo Johnson. Sr #30. Salvador Saavedra-mena. Sr #33. Christian Ringler. Jr #50. Joel Bradley. Sr Coach Jones: We have a pretty good mix of returners and new players. Expectation for the year is to be in the top half of the league. Our guards will lead us this year. We expect big things from seniors Taylor Bode, Donovan Stevens, Traveon Brunson, Junior Mason Reuther, sophomores Jared Watson, Kevin Straight. The big question will be can we outrebound other teams. The Cloud heads to Custer Tuesday for a matchup with the MCE Cards (7:30pm) before taking a shorter trip down one mile to face the Panthers in Hesperia Friday at 7pm. Hesperia Coach Andrew Worcester Returning Starters: Jr: Maddox Mosley Jr: Armando Escobedo Key Newcomers: Jr: Maverick McKinnon Jr: Gabe Gould Jr: Zach Glenn Fr: Jared Tanner Team Strengths: Speed and quickness Team Challenges: Bench depth: 8 players Coach Worcester: Our team is young, hungry and ready to leave it all on the court. These young men had a great off season and made quite an investment in player/team development. There’s a brand new culture with this team and winning is all they want to do. I’m truly excited to see these guys in action. They have what it takes to prove a lot of teams wrong this year. And I’m lucky to be part of it. The Panthers open the season hosting the Walkerville Wildcats, then White Cloud comes to town on Friday. Both games begin at 7pm. Holton Coach Keith Swanson Returnees Kevin Erickson SR #1 Wyatt Monette SR #3 Austin Fowler SR # 5 Carter Brant SO # 11 Bret Hosmer SR # 25 Newcomers Cameron McAllister SR #2 Rice Robins SR #4 James Hunter SR #12 Chase Albright JR #24 Coach Swanson: We have a senior heavy group that is working hard, and focused on going out with as much success as possible. Wyatt Monette is going to be one of the best players in the area this season and I'm also looking forward to seeing the jumps taken by sophomore point guard Carter Brant and senior shooting guard Austin Fowler. The Devils start with a couple of tough games as Tri County visits on Tuesday and Morley arrives on Friday. Both games begin at 7pm.
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