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MHS boys: MHS lineup looks different in '04 years ago

Sports reporter

With a 13-8 record, including a 10-2 mark in the Cottonwood Valley League, it's safe to say Marion High School boys' basketball team enjoyed a successful season last year.

This year however, MHS is playing in the Mid-Central Activities Association with only one returning starter.

"Obviously our schedule is going to be a little amped-up this year," said head coach Rex Ostmeyer. "We have to stay away from foul trouble and we have to execute."

Sometimes that is hard to do when 80 percent of the starting lineup is different from a year ago. But joining lone returning starter Dale Vogel will be boys who were on the 19-0 junior varsity squad from one year ago.

"Our character is yet to be seen," Ostmeyer said. "We can do some things well, but junior varsity is a lot different from varsity."

Despite the new starting lineup, the Warriors do have another returning letter-winner in senior Tyson Heidbrecht.

Nick Carlson, Adam Heerey, Jason Hett, and Travis Hett all saw varsity action at some point last season.

Ostmeyer lists five football players as key newcomers to this year's varsity team: Josh Kelsey, Russell Ploutz, Jeff Richmond, David DeForest, and Jeremy Vondenkamp.

Ostmeyer knows it may take a while for the team to gel, but not because they aren't trying.

"Our effort is good. We work hard," he said. "Sometimes it's focus and execution, we've fallen off when we get tired."

Playing together is always crucial for a team, but especially this year's squad.

"We don't have that guy who is going to take over and score 30 points per game," he said. "We may have some guys score 30, but not every game. We have to play as a team and all be on the same page."

Players, coaches, and fans will soon find out what page that may be. The Warriors tip-off their season opener Friday at home against Chase County.

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