Prepzone Hardcourt Preview 2017

ANSLEY-LITCHFIELDBOYS
SOUTH LOUPBOYS
The success of the Ansley-
Litchfield boy’s basketball squad
will come down to one aspect
of the game according to the
group’s head coach – defense.
The Spartans went 8-11 in 2016-
17, but struggled to consistently
get stops on the defensive end.
Something that will have to
change if Ansley-Litchfield
hopes to be competitive in Class
D-1 this year.
“The biggest key to the season
is to improve our defense,” head
coach Troy Schirmer said. “We
must learn to play aggressive
and physical defense quickly.”
The Spartans have eight
returning letterwinners expected
back on the roster, led by junior
Christ Paitz, who averaged
12.4 points, 3.8 assists and
3.5 rebounds a game as a
sophomore.
Junior Justin Bailey will
also look to make an impact
after posting 7 points and 5.6
rebounds a contest last year, as
will sophomores Jaden Jones
and Parker LeFever.
According to Schirmer, the
development of young talent on
the roster could determine the
success of his group in 2017-18.
“We really need our younger
players to mature quickly to help
reach our goals,” Schirmer said.
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Spartans
Class: D-1
2016-17 Record: 8-11
Head Coach: Troy Schirmer
Career Record: 165-66
For the second consecutive
season, the South Loup boy’s
basketball squad built quite a
bit of momentum, finishing the
2016-17 campaign 16-6.
Under the direction of head
coach Jeff Cole, the Bobcats
will look to stay on the
winning path in 2017-18, and
will have the advantage of 11
returning letterwinners on the
roster.
South Loup will lean heavily
on a core of five seniors,
led by Cade Connell, who
averaged an outstanding 21.3
points and 6.3 rebounds a
game as a junior.
Another rising star for the
Bobcats is Jack Rush. Rush, a
senior, posted 16.1 points and 7.8
rebounds a contest last year.
Senior Landon Furue, who
averaged 5.5 points a game in
2016-17, and Spencer Johnson
will also play vital roles for the
Bobcats.
“If we can stay healthy, I think
we can have a special season,”
Cole said. “We have had two
really good seasons the past
two years with key contributors
missing multiple games or the
season. We will have multiple
three or four-year starters
returning this season.”
South Loup will tip off the 2017-
18 campaign on Dec. 1 against
Twin Loup.
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Bobcats
Class: D-1
2016-17 Record: 16-6
Head Coach: Jeff Cole
MERIDIANGIRLS
SOUTH LOUPGIRLS
The Meridian girls basketball
team is coming off an impressive
2016-17 campaign, which saw
the Mustangs finish 20-7 and
earn an NSAA state tournament
appearance.
This season, Meridian will look
to find similar success under
head coach Robert Schropfer.
Schropfer has seven letterwinners
back on the roster including a
core group of seniors.
Guards Erin Johnson, Jaicee
Sobotka, and Breanna Miller will
be relied upon to produce, as will
forward Hailey Schafer.
“We need to stay healthy,”
Schropfer said. “Younger players
need to continue to develop and
improve. We also have some
sophomores that have a lot of
potential that will help us this
year.”
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Mustangs
Class: D-1
2016-17 Record: 20-7
Playoff Appearances: 3
Head Coach: Robert Schropfer
Career Record: 59-50
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Coming off a 10-9 campaign
that featured plenty of positives
and negatives, the South Loup
girl’s basketball team will rely on
experience as they look to make
a run in Class D-1.
The Bobcats will be lead by head
coach Abe Hinman in 2017-18,
and 10 letterwinners are slated to
return to the court.
In addition, a core group of four
seniors will be back, as well.
Senior forward Shaylee Jones,
who posted 6.2 points and 7.8
rebounds a game her junior year,
will look to lead the Bobcats, as
will senior guard Vayle Berger.
However, South Loup’s success
may depend on how the
Bobcats compliment the play of
sophomore Jessie Sallach, who
averaged an impressive 13.2
points and 9.4 rebounds a contest
as a freshman.
“Our guard play has to improve.
With a strong inside presence,
outside shooting will be key
to keeping defenses honest,”
Hinman said. “The leadership
on this team has to step up
and solidify the character of
our group in order for us to be
successful.”
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Team Name: Bobcats
Class: D-1
2016-17 Record: 10-9
Head Coach: Abe Hinman
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