From the Sidelines: Predicting the winter season
Sports reporter
As the 2005-06 Marion High School winter sports season begins, it brings questions like any other sports season.
Can the boys' basketball team compete after losing big man Dale Vogel? How good is the Warrior wrestling team now that it can fill all 14 weight classes? Can the senior-led girls' basketball team improve its second year in the Mid-Central Activities Association?
Here are the answers to those questions plus some predictions for the season.
1. Can the wrestling team compete at state?
We all know the Warriors (Marion-Florence Peabody-Burns this year with the addition of PBHS wrestlers) have the individuals to compete after Adam Depler took sixth as a junior at state last year. Add senior Casey Nelson and possibly sophomore Charlie Holub to the list this year. Usually it takes five or six wrestlers to compete for a team title at Hays, but at least MFPB has the numbers. Head coach Chad Adkins has 29 wrestlers this year, up from less than 15 a year ago. Even if they aren't one of the top-five teams at state, any team that has the Warriors on its schedule should worry.
2. How big of a loss is Dale Vogel to the boys' basketball team?
Real big, both figuratively and literally. At around 6-2, 250 pounds, Vogel could bang underneath with the best of them. His 16 points and eight rebounds per game were easily team bests, but it's his big heart and energy he brought to the court every game that will be missed the most.
However, that doesn't mean MHS won't be successful this season. If junior guard Jason Hett has improved as much as he did during the football off-season, he has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. Junior guard Travis Hett added another year to his resume, which only makes him more valuable, and sophomore guard Calvin Jeffrey should improve the team's three-point shooting and speed.
The Warriors also boast six seniors (Jeremy Vondenkamp, Josh Kelsey, Jeff Richmond, David DeForest, Clayton Garnica, and Russell Ploutz) who all contributed last year, and should help with leadership.
Don't expect a league championship, but look for MHS to surprise some people.
3. Will the girls' basketball team improve from last season?
No doubt. With seniors Toni Gordon, Megan Hudson, and Allie Maddox at full strength, the Warriors have a trio of starters who were in the lineup all of last year.
Junior Erin Carr will improve the team's shooting ability this year, and junior Kari Tajchman will help Gordon underneath.
Last season the Warriors' season went south after a one-point loss at Hoisington. Look for MHS to defeat the Cardinals Jan. 6 at home, and go the opposite direction this season.
Predictions:
1. MHS wrestling team will win three of the five duals on the season, and have at least five regular season tournament champions. Nelson, Depler, and Holub will head to state with Depler competing for a championship.
2. The boys' basketball team will finish 6-5 in the MCAA and 11-9 overall. Once it comes sub-state time anything can happen. The trio of Jeffrey and Travis and Jason Hett will combine for more than 30 points per game.
3. The girls' basketball team will finish with a similar league record of 6-5, but 10-10 overall with a tough non-league schedule. It's only up two games overall from last year, but up three in league play from a year ago.
Gordon will average close to a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds. Maddox will go from a team-high 28 three-pointers last year, to around 40 this year. After averaging 3.6 steals per game last year, Hudson will average more than four this season.
4. No matter what happens it will be an entertaining year for MHS sports fans. With a year of play in the MCAA under their belts, Marion should be fun to watch at all levels.