sports tab #2 2014

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LudingtonDaily News

Your guide to the upcoming sports season, featuring stories, team

photos and schedules

INSIDE:mason coUNTY

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FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 2014

LudingtonDaily NewsLudingtonDaily NewsLudingtonLudington

Your guide to the upcoming sports season, featuring stories, team

photos and schedulesfeaturing stories, team

photos and schedulesfeaturing stories, team

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FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 2014

By DAVID BOSSICKDaily News sports eDitor

The expectations for Ma-son County Central’s wres-tling team, at least outside of the program, couldn’t be higher.

MichiganGrappler.com has the Spartans ranked ninth in Division 3 before the season even gets a start. It’s based on the number of state and regional qualifiers thought to be returning to Central’s lineup for this win-ter.

And the Spartans wel-come the ranking and the challenge of being a target-ed team that comes with it. In fact, they want more than ninth.

“Grappler, when they do their rankings, they search and research the kids com-ing back. They had us ninth with kids not there,” Central coach Jim Allen said. “It’s neat to be ranked, but you still have to wrestle.

“Our goal is to finish first. I don’t want to finish ninth. Right now, we’re open at a couple of weights. We lost some smaller weights.”

Mason County Central has a 19-man roster, all dedi-cated to the team. Allen is thrilled with the group he has.

“The kids I do have, they’d run through a brick wall for me. The parents have bought into the program. I’m not do-ing much coaching. They know what they have to do.”

SeniorS: Caleb Wood, Jordan Steiger, Jarod Alvesteffer, Josh Quinn and Micah Wood.

JuniorS: Brad Johnson, Cody Cooper, Logan Merrick and Spencer Knizacky.

SophomoreS: Ethan Hill, Jacob Shoop, Antonio Perez, Eldon McCabe, Matt Quinn, Jon Zoscsak and Cesareo Puente.

FreShman: Alec Trent, Kenny

Davis and Alex Trim.

Although the Spartans have 19 wrestlers, they still will be unable to fill all of the 14 weight classes. Central’s strength is in its middle weights where most of the wrestlers are. However, the state-ranked kids are toward the upper weights.

When it comes to individ-ual rankings, sophomore Ja-cob Shoop (seventh at 135 pounds), junior Logan Mer-rick (fifth, 145), junior Spen-cer Knizacky (third, 160), se-nior Jarod Alvesteffer (10th, 189) and senior Josh Quinn (third, 215) are all ranked.

Allen expects his team to be able to overcome deficits in duals.

“We’ll go into every dual down 12-0,” he said. “With some of these kids, we’re going to have to get bonus points. We’re going have to get pins. Last year, we had kids filling a couple of weights, where it’s not going to be that big of a difference (to this year). Our experi-enced kids are going to have to score.”

The kids that are ranked, and some who aren’t, have put in a ton of work in the offseason. In fact, there seemingly hasn’t been an off-season.

“I’ve got a handful — (Jor-dan) Steiger, the Quinn boys (Matt and Josh), (Jacob) Shoup, (Jarod) Alvesteffer, they were wrestling all sum-

mer. We did some Battle Creek things, some Border Wars,” Allen said. “I think Matt Quinn will be a sleeper, maybe not 215 pounds, but at heavywieght. He’s lighter than most heavyweights, but he’s quicker.”

There are a handful of new wrestlers to the program this winter. One is freshman Alec Trent, who moved to Mason County from Alabama. He doesn’t have prior wrestling experience, but Allen said he’s showing good signs. An-other freshman, Kenny Da-vis, is a tough wrestler up from the middle school ranks and is slated at 130 pounds. Antonio Perez, a sophomore, is also new to the program and has done well.

The West Michigan Con-ference is extremely tough in wrestling with the likes of Whitehall, Shelby, Hart and Mason County Central all be-ing very tough teams. But the depth of the league doesn’t end there.

“I’m that optimistic. I see my team on top. I’m sure any coach would say that. White-hall has got a bunch of kids back. They bring up fresh-men and sophomores, kids up from middle school who are tough. The same can be said for Shelby and Hart,” Allen said. “Montague and Ravenna are getting better. Every school is getting three or four pretty tough kids.

“It’s hard to go into Shelby or Whitehall down 12-0, but

I’m going for the title. That’s my coaching mentality.”

Those league expecta-tions carry over into the post-season, too. Allen sees a big season for his wres-tling team, both in the indi-vidual tournament and the team tournament.

“We head the same direc-tion for individual and dis-trict. We’ll see a lot of the same teams. As far as in-dividuals, ... I really see us taking 7-8 kids there and placing them all,” he said, adding that including the wrestlers who are ranked, Caleb Wood very well could make it to state and pick up a medal.

see wreStlIng, pAge 4

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Mason County Central wrestling

Expectations, ranking high for team

ruSS MIller phOtOMason County Central wrestling team members are, in front from left, Carlie Claire, Alec Trent, Kenneth Davis III, Bradley Johnson, Cody Cooper, Jordan Steiger, Caleb Wood and Brooke Thurow; middle, Alex Trim, Jacob Shoop, Eldon McCabe, Logan Merrick, Spencer Knizacky, Micah Wood, Manager Hunter Sanford and Chris Carr, assistant coach; back row, Coach Jim Allen, Jarod Alvesteffer, Matt Quinn, Cesareo Puente, Josh Quinn, Jonathan Zoscsak, Coach Kendel Trim and Coach Jim Sanford.

By eD pApeSDaily News sports writer

SCOTTVILLE — After post-ing a 19-5 record and ad-vancing to the MHSAA Class B regional finals last season, the Mason County Central boys basketball team seems to have all the ingredients to do as well or better this win-ter.

“The big word for us this year is potential,” said Spar-tans head coach Jeff Tuka who starts his sixth season as the leader of Central’s hardcourt crew.

Helping the Spartans in the state tourney this year is the fact that they have now moved down to Class C.

“Everyone thinks that is a great thing for us, but we will have to face Shelby in the districts,” noted Tuka.

The Spartans have gradu-ated two all-West Michigan Conference performers in guards Kody Ambrose and Josh Ritzema. Also gone via graduation are forwards Anders Asiala and Brian Erndteman.

However, Central does re-turn nine letterwinners.

“We have very good depth,” said Tuka. “This year, we even have depth on the front line. We have an abun-dance of players at the four and five spots. And we have good overall height. We have several guys in the 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-3 range.”

The only concern as of now for Tuka is where all the scor-ing will come from after the loss of Ambrose and Ritze-ma.

“It is not going to be just one guy to make up the dif-ference,” said Tuka. “It will take a number of guys help-ing out.”

The Spartans have nine seniors on the roster, led by 6-foot-3 point guard Coltyn Tyndall, an all-conference honorable mention last year;

6-foot-6 center Sean Kelley; and, 6-foot-5 power forward Johnny Shafer.

Both Tyndall and Shafer were key starters last season.

The promising Kelley re-turns after missing the last two seasons with severe knee injuries.

Right there with those three, should be seniors Drew Griffis, a 6-foot-2 small forward; Nate Strejcek, a 6-foot-5 center/power for-ward; and, Ludington High School transfer Sheldon Car-ey, a 6-foot-2 swingman.

Also helping out will be three more seniors, 5-foot-11 point guard Noah Gen-son; 6-foot-1 shooting guard Austin Krusinski and 5-foot-10 combo guard Johnny Trivisonno.

There are four juniors. Two of them, 6-foot-3 pow-

er forward Blake Bladzik and 6-foot-3 shooting guard Mitch Lange, should play im-portant roles.

The two other juniors are 6-foot-3 small forward Trev-or Carrier and 6-foot-2 small forward Nolan Asiala.

The Spartans substitution rotation will feature quite a few players off the bench.

“We will use a lot of play-ers in each game this year,” said Tuka.

The 2014-15 Mason Coun-ty Central boys basketball team roster:

SeniorS: Sheldon Carey, Noah Genson, Drew Griffis, Sean Kelley, Austin Krusinski, Johnny Shafer, Nate Strejcek, Johnny Trivisonno, Coltyn Tyndall.

JuniorS: Nolan Asiala, Blake

Bladzik, Trevor Carrier, Mitch Lange.

Assisting Tuka again this winter with the varsity will be Travis Aultman. Steve Ry-bicki is back to lead the ju-

nior varsity squad. He will be aided by Randy Hodges.

In the WMC, Tuka sees his Spartans and the Shelby Ti-gers as the top contenders for the league crown. But he also notes that White-

hall and North Muskegon will be in the mix for the top spot. Tuka also pointed to Montague and Muskegon Oakridge as teams that will be strong this season in the league.

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Mason County Central boys basketball

All the ingredients for success on the court

ruSS MIller phOtOMason County Central boys basketball team members are, in front from left, Steve Rybicki, assistant coach, Gary Berndy, Izerk Ratliff, manager, Trevor Carrier, Blake Bladzik, Nolan Asiala, Mitch Lange, C.J. Pyke, Connor Willick and Randy Hodges, assistant coach; and in back, Travis Aultman, assistant coach, Drew Griffis, Coltyn Tyndall, Nate Strejcek, Sean Kelley, Johnny Shafer, Sheldon Carey, Noah Genson, John Trivisonno and Coach Jeff Tuka.


Mason County Central’s competitive cheerleading team seemingly has every-thing going for it for the 2014-15 season.

The Spartans have 18 girls out for the sport this year, bolstered by a large group of sophomores that cheered a year ago. The leader, though, will be in junior co-captain Serena Kuhn.

“We going to be led by Ser-ena,” Central coach Cheri Stibitz said. “We’re excited to have her leading the way. And we’ve got a great group of sophomores.”

Central has two returning seniors as well, Andrea Lam-brix and Katlyn Weber. Lam-brix was a crucial part of the Spartans’ third round of the routines, but she is being hampered by an injury al-ready this year. Stibitz said although Lambrix may not be able to do some of the things she used to do, she’ll be relied upon to help lead the team.

Still, with the numbers up, the other half of the good news is that Mason Coun-ty Central drops from Divi-sion 3 to Division 4 this year in the post-season. Where Central was having issues last year putting togeth-er routines where deduc-tions would happen, Stibitz has confidence there will be more than enough solid ath-letes to have great routines through all three rounds.

Injuries were the biggest issue Stibitz and the Spar-tans ran into last year.

“That’s a coach’s dream if there isn’t any injuries,” she said. “Those things are un-foreseen. I have 18 girls that I know can execute things very well. If we have a mis-hap, I have a set of quality girls there to help fill some of those shoes.”

What’s more is the two-

year-old middle school pro-gram is starting to pay divi-dends to the high school team. Three freshmen are up from the middle school pro-gram.

“Before it was girls com-ing up with a sideline cheer background, and there’s a big difference from sideline to competitive,” Stibitz said. “My three freshmen are go-ing to be good assets to the team.”

Central’s roster:

SeniorS: Andrea Lambrix, Katlyn Weber and Hope Bur-meister.

JuniorS: Serena Kuhn and Allison Vanoller.

SophomoreS: Amari Rivera, Morgan Cook, Kaylyn Soberal-ski, Joleen Weir, Suzi Astraus-kas, Hanna Gibson, Caitie Lane, Sarah Stakenas, Krystle Ghent.

FreShmen: Kennady Merrick, Cynthia Wurtz and Megan Briggs.While the numbers are up,

the required number of girls on the mat is lower because

of the division switch, Stibitz said the process for getting the season together looks to be in good shape. All three rounds are choreographed, and have been worked on in practice, but MCC differs from a lot of other cheer teams.

She and the team mem-bers work together on the routines, from the stunts to the skills to the words, rather than having a cho-reography coach there dic-tating who’s doing what when.

“I feel like they get a sense of ownership with it,” Stibitz said. “Chore-ography isn’t my favor-ite thing to do. This way, you’re getting some expe-rience in what works and they can practice sets and skills. When it all comes to-gether, they get a sense of ownership.”

Mason County Central was back and forth with Whitehall to stay out of last place in the West Mich-

igan Conference. This year, Stibitz was reluctant to handicap the league race because it’s hard to say ex-actly who can finish where.

“Hart is always strong and Shelby should con-tend,” she said. “It sounds like many of the other teams are ready to go.”

Central won’t see any ac-tion until after the first of the year. Stibitz welcomed the long wait so that way her team uses the time to choreograph routines and refine them in practice be-fore the competitions be-gin essentially twice a week starting in January.

“It’s a phenomenal thing to have for us,” she said. “Our first competition used to be at Reeths-Puffer af-ter the first of the year, but they moved it into Decem-ber. (Central athletic direc-tor Tim) Genson asked if I wanted to go and I said we wouldn’t be ready. It takes so much time to choreograph and put it all together.”


gIrlS VArSIty BASKetBAllDec. 1 at ManisteeDec. 5 RavennaDec. 9 at WhitehallDec. 11 at North MuskegonDec. 16 HartDec. 19 at MontagueJan. 3 at LudingtonJan. 8 at OakridgeJan. 13 at ShelbyJan. 16 at RavennaJan. 19 McBainJan. 22 WhitehallJan. 27 North MuskegonJan. 30 at HartFeb. 5 MontagueFeb. 10 OakridgeFeb. 17 at LeRoy Pine RiverFeb. 19 ShelbyFeb. 24 Fruitport Calvary ChristianFeb. 26 Newaygo

BOyS BASKetBAllDec. 9 at NewaygoDec. 12 RavennaDec. 15 White CloudDec. 18 at WhitehallJan. 3 at LudingtonJan. 6 North MuskegonJan. 9 HartJan. 12 CadillacJan. 15 at MontagueJan. 20 OakridgeJan. 23 at ShelbyJan. 29 at RavennaFeb. 3 WhitehallFeb. 6 at North MuskegonFeb. 12 at HartFeb. 17 MontagueFeb. 20 at OakridgeFeb. 27 ShelbyMarch 3 at Benzie CentralMarch 5 at Manistee

gIrlS COMpetItIVe CheerJan. 7 at WMC at HartJan. 10 at Holland W. OttawaJan. 14 at WMC at MontagueJan. 17 at Shelby InviteJan. 21 at WMC at Whitehall

Jan. 24 at Harrison InviteJan. 28 at WMC at ShelbyJan. 31 at Sparta InviteFeb. 4 WMC jamboreeFeb. 7 at Fruitport InviteFeb. 16 at Hart Invite

BOyS wreStlIngDec. 10 Ludington, Holton, ManisteeDec. 13 Scottville Optimist InviteDec. 17 at Whitehall with Spring Lake, Orchard ViewDec. 20 at Gull Lake InviteDec. 30 at Freeland InviteJan. 7 at Fremont with Shelby, Orchard View

Jan. 10 at Holton InviteJan. 14 Hart, Fruitport, Spring LakeJan. 17 at Ithaca Invite Jan. 21 at Ludington with Montague, FremontJan. 23 at Lakeview “B” InviteJan. 24 at Lakeview InviteJan. 28 Ravenna, Muskegon Catholic, Orchard ViewJan. 31 at Shelby InviteFeb. 6 at WMC tournament at MontagueCOeD BOwlIngDec. 6 Mason County Eastern at BaldwinDec. 13 Baldwin at Country LanesDec. 20 Hart at FOE HartJan. 10 West Central Michigan Bowling Conference positional round at FOE HartJan. 17 Mason County Eastern at Country LanesJan. 24 Baldwin at FOE HartJan. 31 Hart at Country LanesFeb. 7 WCMBC positional round at BaldwinFeb. 14 WCMBC singles conference tournament at Country LanesFeb. 21 WCMBC singles conference tournament at Country Lanes

ruSS MIller phOtOMason County Central cheer team members are, from bottom left, Andrea Lambrix, Hannah Pettis, Jolene Weier, Amari Rivera, Sarah Stakenas, Catie Lane, Hanna Gibson, Susan Astrauskas, Megan Briggs, Morgan Cook, Alli VanNoller, Cynthia Wurtz, Krystle Ghent, Kaylyn Soberalski, Kennady Merrick, Katlyn Weber, Hope Burmeister and Serena Kuhn, with coach Cheri Stibitz.

Mason County Central competitive cheerA strong group of girls

MAson County CEntrAl |wintEr sChEdulEsFor the 2014-15 seasoN

FrOM pAge 2

“I feel like we have a good shot (reaching the final eight in Battle Creek in the team tournament). If we run into a full squad, I’ve got a lot of

confidence that if we need a pin, we’re going to do it,” he continued. “We’ll be working for the bonus and the pins. There’s no reason we can’t make up 12 points in two weights fast.”

wrEstling

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Mason County Central girls basketballyounger team on the court this year


SCOTTVILLE — The 2014-15 girls basketball season marks for Mason County Central the beginning of life without their Class B all-stater, Madison Geers.

Geers, a 5-foot-9 point guard, started for four sea-sons with the Spartans and was a strong contributor in every phase of the game. She is now playing at Hope Col-lege.

Last season, Central was able to post a 14-7 record overall and was 11-2 in the West Michigan Conference. The Spartans also lost guard Payton Bladzik and forward Jessica Allen to graduation from that squad.

This season, head coach Mike Weinert, now in his

fifth year, will field a young team dominated by juniors.

The Spartans will have just four returning players and a roster made up of one senior, seven juniors, one sophomore and one fresh-man.

“I like our athleticism. But we are still trying to find our-selves,” said Weinert. “We are looking at what combi-nations work well together. The scoring this season will be more evenly distributed. We do have a lot of girls who have the potential to score.”

Leading the Spartans on the hardcourt this season should be Dria Striker, a 5-foot-10 junior power for-ward; Kylie Mount, a 5-foot-9 junior shooting guard; Maki-la Hodges, a 5-foot-8 senior

see MCC gIrlS, pAge 6

ruSS MIller phOtOMason County Central girls basketball team members are, from left, Lindy Papes, assistant coach, Mike Weinert, head coach, Jordyn Sanders, Nicole Johnson, Savannah Keefer, Makila Hodges, Kylie Mount, Alexandria Striker, Hunter Wiese, Olivia Kimes, Rylee Tyndall, Jacy Larson and Maddy Bladzik, manager.

ruSS MIller phOtOMason County Central bowling team members are, in front from left, Kaitlyn Seiter, Jayde Corne-lisse, Lindsie Koch, Kristina Trim, Veronica Beemer, Jasmine Wise and Allison Linenfelser, middle row, Connor Willick, Kaden Olmstead, Tyron Keefer and Garrett Michels, and in back, Coach Rob-ert Allen, Coach Laura Wolcott, Zach Jensen, Evan Robison, Cody Soberalski, Matthew Dilliner, Matthew Lammi, Blaine Beemer, Coach Sam Shanklin and Coach Dan Koch.

Mason County Central bowlinglooking at a good year


SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central bowling coach Laura Wolcott begins her seventh season this win-ter with hopes that two new teams will enter their North Central Michigan Bowling League.

“Right now we have us, Ma-son County Eastern and Bald-win,” said Wolcott. “But Hart and Big Rapids Crossroads Academy may join and give us a stronger league.”

Last year, the Spartan boys won the league title, while the Central gals came in sec-ond.

“I think we should be look-ing at a pretty good year again,” said Wolcott.

On the boys’ side, the Spar-

tans have graduated their top bowler, Sam Shanklin. But the girls team returns their two best bowlers, Lindsie Koch and Kristina Trim, both seniors this season.

Leading the Spartan boys on the lanes this winter should be juniors Matthew Dilliner and Matthew Lammi along with sophomore Cody Soberalski.

Others showing promise include sophomores Evan Robison and Connor Willick.

The 2014-15 Mason Coun-ty Central boys bowling team roster:

Senior: Blaine Beemer.JuniorS: Matthew Dilliner,

Matthew Lammi.SophomoreS: Zach Jensen,

Evan Robison, Cody Soberalski, Connor Willick.

FreShmen: Garrett Michels, Kaden Olmstead, Tyron Keefer The Spartans’ girls team

will rely heavily on Koch and Trim, but Wolcott hopes that sophomores Kaitlyn Sieter and Jasmine Wise can devel-op along with freshman Alli-son Linenfelser.

The 2014-15 Mason Coun-ty Central girls bowling team roster:

SeniorS: Lindsie Koch, Kristina Trim.

Junior: Veronica Beemer.SophomoreS: Kaitlyn Sieter,

Jasmine Wise.FreShman: Allison Linenfelser.

Assisting Wolcott once again this season will be Dan Koch. Also assisting will be former Spartan bowlers Sam Shanklin and Robert Allen.

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Hart wrestling

team young, hurting in the heavy weightsBy eD pApeSDaily News sports writer

HART — Fourth-year Hart High School wrestling coach Brad Altland will have a young, 18-man squad to work with this winter as he enters the 2014-15 season.

“We are definitely young,” said Altland. “And our roster of 18 wrestlers is down a bit from what we usually have out.”

The Pirates have a roster of just three seniors and one junior, but six sophomores and eight freshmen.

Last year, the Pirates went 13-12 in dual meets and fin-ished fourth in the West Michigan Conference. But from that team Hart has graduated six seniors, in-cluding three state quali-fers. Those were Carl Mor-gan, Spencer Reterstoff and Travess Smith.

“We are very light this year. We are hurting at the heavier weights,” noted Alt-land. “And we do have a hole at 112. We will struggle in dual meets, because we will not be able to fill all the weight classes.”

Leading the Pirates on the mats this winter should be senior Shawn Wulff (171) who was a conference cham-

pion last year; sophomore Arturo Perez (135-140) a state qualifer and junior Brady Tate (145-152) who was a regional qualifier last season.

Others who should help include junior Devin Whit-ney (135) and sophomore

Kaleb Wiegand (135).In the eight-member

freshman class, Abel Men-doza (140), Mitch Mast (119), Gus Gale (125) and Ja-cob Bosley (103) are among those showing promise.

The 2014-15 Hart Pirates wrestling team roster:

Senior: Adrian Hemmerly, Scott Pankow, Shawn Wulff.

Junior: Devin Whitney.SophomoreS: Kyle Dean,

Jacob Hobeck, Arturo Perez, Brady Tate, Kaleb Wiegand, Jack Wittman.

FreShmen: Andy Rendon,

Abel Mendoza, Mitch Mast, Gus Gale, Logan Wells, Jacob Bosley, Jesse McGahn, Mi-chael Ray.

Assisting Altland with the team this winter will be Rocky Smith and Brad Whit-ney.

In the WMC, Altland feels that Whitehall is the top contender for the league title.

“Mason County Cen-tral could beat them, but Central may not be deep enough,” said Altland.

AnDy rOBertS | shoreliNe MeDiaMembers of the Hart wrestling team are, in front from left, Andy Rendon, Abel Mendoza, Brady Tate, Scott Pankow, Jacob Bosley, Arturo Perez, Kyle Dean, Gus Gale and manager Robbie Altland; back row, assistant Josh Perez, coach Rocky Smith, Shawn Wulff, Michael Ray, Devin Whitney, Adrian Hammerle, Kaleb Wiegand, Logan Wells, Mitch Mast, coach Brad Altland and manager Diana Giles.

FrOM pAge 4

small forward and Rylee Tyndall, a 5-foot-8 combo guard.

All four of those girls were starters at one time or another last season.

“We do have good overall height,” added Weinert. “Al-though, we do not have any-body who is really tall.”

Central will also look for contributions from four ju-nior guards: Nicole Johnson,

5-foot-6; Jordyn Sanders, 5-foot-5; Savannah Keefer, 5-foot-7; and, Jacy Larson, 5-foot-6.

Two newcomers, fresh-man Olivia Kimes, a 5-foot-9 guard/forward and soph-omore Hunter Wiese, a 5-foot-10 power forward, show the potential to give the Spartans a big boost.

“We should be a team that develops quite a bit as the season goes along,” said Weinert. “We will definitely

be better at the end of the season than we were at the start.”

The 2014-15 Mason Coun-ty Central girls basketball roster:

Senior: Makila Hodges.JuniorS: Nicole Johnson,

Savannah Keefer, Jacy Larson, Kylie Mount, Jordyn Sanders, Dria Striker, Rylee Tyndall.

Sophomore: Hunter Wiese.FreShman: Olivia Kimes.

Assisting Weinert again this season will be Lindy Papes. Karl Shafer will take over the reins of the junior varsity team.

In the WMC, Weinert sees about everyone with a shot to take the top spot, with an edge to Muskegon Oakridge to take the crown.

Behind the Eagles, Wein-ert points to Central, White-hall, Shelby and Montague as teams that could chal-lenge.

MCC girls: Good height overall on team

By eD pApeSDaily News sports eDitor

HART — Last season with a young roster, first-year coach Karen McLouth and her Hart Pirates girls basket-ball team put up a 4-16 over-all record.

The good news this year is that all seven of the Pirates’ main contributors are back in the fold. That, along with the addition of three new-comers who handle the ball well, give the 2014-15 Pi-rates good reason to look forward to better things this winter.

“We do have seven return-ing players,” said McLouth, who works as a secretary for the high school. “I really do like that we have more ex-perience. And that we have some good height. We do have a good chance to be able to score more this year. And the ballhandling should be improved.”

Pacing the Pirates’ ef-forts this season should be 6-foot-0 junior center Baylee Draper, an all-West Michigan

Conference honorable men-tion; 5-foot-8 junior guard Maddie Hegedus; 6-foot-0 senior forward Jenny Her-rygers and 5-foot-10 senior forward Anna Hertzler.

Also playing important roles should be 5-foot-7 se-nior forward Lauren Hege-dus; 5-foot-5 junior guard Hannah Brown and 5-foot-4 junior guard Faith Ramirez.

Three new guards are ex-pected to bolster the Pirates ballhandling this winter. They are 5-foot-5 junior Hal-ey Mast; 5-foot-7 sophomore Aubrey Hertzler and 5-foot-7 freshman Yasmine Colon.

Also on the team is 5-foot-7 foreign exchange student Silje Nielsen, a forward.

“We definitely need to im-prove our scoring and our ballhandling over last year,” said McLouth. “And I think we will.”

Last year, the lady Pirates averaged just more than 30 points per game as a team.

The 2014-15 Hart Pirates girls basketball team roster:

SeniorS: Lauren Hegedus, Jenny Herrygers, Anna Hertzler, Silje Nielsen.

JuniorS: Hannah Brown, Bay-lee Draper, Maddie Hegedus, Haley Mast, Faith Ramirez.

Sophomore: Aubrey Hertzler.FreShman: Yasmine Colon.

Assisting McLouth this season with the varsity will be Tim Hertzler. Sam Zim-mer will coach the junior varsity.

McLouth said she consid-ers Muskegon Oakridge the favorite to win the WMC title this season.

“They are always tough,” added McLouth. “And I know Whitehall has a very tall girl that will help make them strong.”


Hart’s boys basketball program will be marked-ly different from last year as the Pirates go through a youth movement for 2014-15.

The Pirates lost six play-ers from last year’s team and return only a few from a year ago. Third-year coach Mike Rawert will rely on a couple of seniors to lead a team that largely will be composed of kids moving up from junior varsity.

“Travis Hall and Matt Wil-son will carry the load this year,” Rawert said. “Not only will we need them for their leadership, but we’ll need them to give our team some chemistry and for their scoring.”

This winter will be Hall’s first full season with the Pi-rates. He played half a sea-son last year after transfer-ring from Shelby.

Hart was hit with inju-ries to a degree before the season even got going. One

player the Pirates would have counted on suffered a broken ankle during the football season.

“Right now, we are work-ing on getting a feel for who’s in what position,” Rawert said.

Two players Rawert had his eyes on who are com-ing off of the junior varsity are Dylan VanderZwaag and Austin Boundy.

SeniorS: Esteven Escamilla, Alfredo Oliveros, Travis Hall and Hunter Way.

JuniorS: Dylan VanderZwaag, Benancio Escamilla, Brett Bon-stell, Jonah Gale and Austin Boundy.

SophomoreS: Garrett Eisen-lohr and Alex Dodson.

The Pirates played Man-istee in a scrimmage in the preseason and will get a chance to shake some things out in a nonconfer-ence game at White Cloud Dec. 9. But then the West Michigan Conference race looms.

“I think the usual teams will be at the top. Shelby is always solid. One team that will be led by a veter-an group is Mason Coun-ty Central,” Rawert said. “North Muskegon has a strong young group com-ing up.

“Obviously, for us, we’re going to be toward the back of the pack,” he continued. “Our goal is to chip away at the conference standings.”

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Hart boys basketball Hart girls basketballA very different team Experience, height help

AnDy rOBertS | shoreliNe MeDiaMembers of the Hart boys basketball team are, in front, from left, Beni Escamilla, Jonah Gale, Dylan VanderZwaag, Freddy Oliveros and Hunter Way; back row, coach Mike Rawert, Alex Dod-son, Travis Hall, Matt Wilson, Austin Boundy, Garrett Eisenlohr and assistant Hollis Rockwell. Not pictured are Esteven Escamilla and Brett Bonstell.

AnDy rOBertS | shoreliNe MeDiaMembers of the Hart girls basketball team are, in front, from left, Haley Mast, Yasmine Colon, Faith Ramirez, Lauren Hegedus, and Hannah Brown, and in back, Aubrey Hertzler, Anna Hertz-ler, Baylee Draper, Jenny Herrygers, Madison Hegedus, Silje Neilsen and coach Karen McLouth.

‘our goal is to chip away at the conference standings.’

Mike rawert

‘i really do like that we have more experience. and that we have some good height.’

Karen Mclouth

8


AnDy rOBertS | shoreliNe MeDiaMembers of the Hart competitive cheerleading team are, front row, from left, Kassidy Baum, Jaden Hanks, Maia Jonassen, Delaney Moul, Erika Wadel and Lexi King; back row, coach Tracy Williamson, assistant Becky Putnam, Jen Gottardo, Katelynn Herrygers, Chase Leonard, Hannah Kuipers, Nichole Jorissen, Kaitlyn VanderZanDen, Mirella Barco and coach Jen Hlady. Not pictured: Hanna Mead.

Hart competitive cheerstrong leadership for team

BOyS BASKetBAllDec. 3 ManisteeDec. 9 at White CloudDec. 12 North MuskegonDec. 18 at MontagueJan. 2 Fruitport Calvary ChristianJan. 6 OakridgeJan. 9 at Mason County CentralJan. 15 at RavennaJan. 20 at ShelbyJan. 23 WhitehallJan. 27 HoltonJan. 29 at North MuskegonFeb. 3 MontagueFeb. 6 at OakridgeFeb. 9 PentwaterFeb. 12 Mason County CentralFeb. 17 RavennaFeb. 20 ShelbyFeb. 24 HesperiaFeb. 27 at WhitehallMarch 5 at Mason County Eastern

BOyS wreStlIngDec. 10 double dualsDec. 13 at Kraai InvitationalDec. 17 WMC dualsDec. 20 Bosse InvitationalJan. 3 at Remus Chippewa Hills InviteJan. 7 at FruitportJan. 10 at Holton InvitationalJan. 14 at Mason County CentralJan. 17 at Three Rivers Super DualsJan. 21 at Orchard ViewJan. 24 at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central InvitationalJan. 28 at MonagueJan. 31 at Randy Jacobs Memorial DualsFeb. 6 at WMC championship

gIrlS BASKetBAllDec. 5 North MuskegonDec. 9 at MontagueDec. 11 OakridgeDec. 16 at Mason County Central

Dec. 19 at RavennaJan. 2 Fruitport Calvary ChristianJan. 6 at White CloudJan. 8 ShelbyJan. 13 WhitehallJan. 16 at North MuskegonJan. 20 at Mason County EasternJan. 22 MontagueJan. 27 at OakridgeJan. 30 Mason County CentralFeb. 5 RavennaFeb. 6 at Pentwater (no JV)Feb. 10 at ShelbyFeb. 17 at HesperiaFeb. 24 at HoltonFeb. 26 at Whitehall

COeD BOwlIngDec. 6 Baldwin at BaldwinDec. 13 Mason County Eastern at Country LanesDec. 20 Mason County Central at FOEJan. 10 West Central Michigan Bowling Conference positional round at FOEJan. 17 Baldwin at Country LanesJan. 24 Mason County Eastern at FOEJan. 31 Mason County Central at Country LanesFeb. 7 WCMBC positional round at BaldwinFeb. 14 WCMBC singles conference tournamentFeb. 21 WCMBC singles conference tournament

COMpetItIVe CheerDec. 17 at Mona Shores InviteJan. 7 WMC jamboreeJan. 10 at Comstock Park InviteJan. 14 at WMC jamboreeJan. 17 at Shelby InvitationalJan. 21 at WMC jamboreeJan. 28 at WMC jamboreeFeb. 4 at WMC jamboree

hArt wintEr sChEdulEs |For the 2014-15 seasoNs

By eD pApeSDaily News sports eDitor

HART — While Jen Hlady begins her eighth season as head coach of the very suc-cessful Hart Pirates com-petitive cheer team, there will be a slight change in the leadership.

Hlady will share the head coaching duties this sea-son with longtime junior varsity coach Tracy Wil-liamson.

“We do not have a junior varsity squad this winter,” said Hlady.

Last year, the Pirates won the West Michigan Confer-ence title for the third year in a row. After making the Division-four state meet for two years in a row, Hart was ousted in the regionals last season.

From that team, the Pi-rates have graduated five team members. One of the biggest losses was Stacie

Shellhouse.This season, the Pirates

will replace Shellhouse’s pivotal position with se-nior Jen Gottardo, who re-turns to competitive cheer after one year off.

“Jen is a very strong lead-er and a very good tum-bler,” said Hlady.

“I am very excited for this season,” added Hlady. “The girls have been putting in long hours. They have shown a lot of dedication to

the team.”The 2014-15 Hart Pirates

competitive cheer team ros-ter:SeniorS: Jen Gottardo, Nicho-

le Jorissen, Katelyn Herrygers, Chase Leonard.

JuniorS: Mirella Barco, Kassidy Baum, Maia Jonas-sen, Hannah Kuipers, Kaitlyn VanderZanDen.

SophomoreS: Lexi King, Hanna Mead, Delaney Moul, Erika Wadel.

FreShman: Jaden Hanks.

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