PAGE 6A: WINTER SPORTS 2017 PRESS & DAKOTAN ? PLAIN TALK Crofton Girls Turn Page To Next Generation For Program Lady Warriors Move On After Graduating Decorated Senior Class BY JEREMY HOECK jeremy.hoeck@yankton.net CROFTON, Neb. — The page has turned for the Crofton girls’ basketball program. Just as it has before. And yet, the Lady Warriors have always found ways to keep the bar high for a program that has won eight Nebraska state championships since 2005. This season, though, the torch was passed from a senior class that went 104-7 with three titles — Crofton (23-3) lost in the first round of the state tournament last season. Those seniors helped pave the way for the younger generation to take the reins, according to head coach Aaron Losing. “We’ve been lucky that it’s been passed down from the seniors to the younger kids over the years,” said Losing, who begins his 14th season as Crofton’s head coach. “Sometimes you never Warriors are senior Madisen Kube (3 ppg), junior Aubree Potts (1 ppg), junior Danielle Steffen (1 ppg) and sophomore Elyssa Tramp (2 ppg). The group of returners also includes senior Lauren Arens, as well as sophomores Ryah Ostermeyer, Kierra Vornhagen and Taylor Arens. That group has accepted the challenge of improving individually and collectively together, according to Losing. “We’ve seen kids willing to work hard and improve their game from where they were,” he said. “You see kids that want to succeed and want to improve throughout the year, and that’ll be the key.” Losing said it’ll also be important for the group of six freshmen newcomers to develop throughout the season. That group includes Lacey Sprakel, Kaley Einrem, Erica Tindle, Cassie Altwine, Allie Dahl and Anastacia Suing. Just as has been the case Crofton coach Aaron Losing talks to his team during a game in the 2016-17 season. The Lady Warriors graduated a se- in recent years, the Lady Warnior class that posted a 104-7 record with three state titles, going 23-3 and losing in the first round at state last season. riors will also test them with a number of games in classics: They’ll play in the Sanford Pentagon Classic (Sioux know until you’re in the heat Warriors are going to have different leading scorer each The top player back is of the battle, but our kids more of a balanced look this game. junior Josie Sanger, who aver- Falls), the CNOS Foundation Classic (Sioux City, Iowa) and have showed the desire to season. “We’ve got some decent aged 7.4 points but missed want to work at it,” Losing Instead of 20 or 25 points depth, I feel like,” he said. the second half of the season Hanson Classic (Mitchell). “We’ll have a lot of games said. a game from one (or both) of “We’ll be a deeper team with an injury. She’ll be this year where if we’re not Unlike last season when its top players, Crofton could than maybe we were last joined by sophomore Alexis prepared, we probably won’t the tandem of Monica Arens very well have four or five year, and we’ll obviously Arens (6.4 ppg) as a tandem and Kelsey Sanger combined players average eight points have to be more balanced that could take the next step like the outcome,” Losing said. to average 39 points and 12 a game, Losing said — in and get more offensive conthis season. rebounds a game, the Lady addition to possibly having a tributions across the board.” Also back for the Lady NEBRASKA PREP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Allen COACH: Chris Blohm ASSISTANT: Paige Green VITALS: Class D2, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST SEASON: The Eagles finished 0-21 RETURNING: Bri Hingst (Sr., 5-8, G), Haley Stapelton (Jr., 5-5, SG), Bethany Kneifl (Jr., 5-5, PF), Katie Bathke (Jr., 5-2, SG), Alyssa Boese (Jr., 5-5, SG), Ally Twohig (So., 5-7, PF). NEWCOMERS: Alyssia Strivens (So., 5-8, PF), Anna Roth (Jr., 5-2, SG), Summer Jackson (Jr., 5-9, PF), Carly Dickens (Fr., 5-2, PG), Alexis Brahmsteadt (Jr., 5-7, PF), Alli Jackson (Fr., 5-5, SG), Taylor Boyle (Fr., 5-6, G/F), Heidi Johsnon (Jr., 5-8, PF). Bloom?eld COACH: Terri Mlady ASSISTANT: Vicky Jensen VITALS: Class D2, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST SEASON: The Queen Bees (19-7) reached the subdistrict final. RETURNING: Emma Fiedler (Sr., 5-8, F), Michelle Wachter (Sr., 5-4, G), Michaela Johnson (Jr., 5-6, F), Brooklyn Eisenhauer (So., 5-8, F), Bree Eisenhauer (So., 5-6, G). NEWCOMERS: Lauren Pinkelman (Fr., G), Brynn Bargman (Fr., G), Ella McFarland (Fr., G), Kate Bruns (Fr., G), Jaiden Johsnon (Fr., G), Aubrey Jeannoutout (Fr., F), Grace Kuchar (Fr., F). Creighton COACH: Kyle Kibbie VITALS: Class C2, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST SEASON: The Lady Bulldogs went 6-17. RETURNING: Jordyn Kuhl (Sr., 5-5, G, 1.4 ppg), Kasey Kuhl (Sr., 5-7, F, 3.2 ppg), Sydney Walton (Sr., 5-4, PG, 8.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Clarissa Becker (So., 5-7, C), Alaina Farnik (Jr., 5-4, G), Ashtyn Fritz (Jr., 5-6, 6.8 ppg), Charlize Wimes (So., Ethan Poppe was a state qualifier for Crofton-Bloomfield a season ago. Neb. WR FROM PAGE 5A Anna Reifenrath is the top returning scorer for Hartington Cedar Catholic, averaging 11.1 points per game last season for a Trojans squad that finished 12-9. 5-8, F). NEWCOMER: Jessica Stevens (Fr., 5-4). Crofton COACH: Aaron Losing ASSISTANTS: Tiffany Panning, Taylor Schumacher VITALS: Class C2, MidStates Conference LAST SEASON: The Lady Warriors (23-3) lost in the opening round of the state tournament. Gone from that team is a senior class that won 104 games. Moles Moles has developed that has allowed him to take control, his coach said. “Everybody who wrestles FROM PAGE 5A him knows it’s coming, but they can’t stop what he gotten a lot better this year, does,” Alexander said. “You too. know it’s coming, but he’s “He’s going to be somejust so quick and athletic that body to be reckoned with.” he bowls kids over with it.” Ever since he was a freshThose same traits, along man in high school, Moles with his physicality, are what has been able to beat anyone allowed Moles to excel on the while on his feet, Alexander football field for Bloomfield, said. But he’s shown progres- as well. He finished his career sion through the early stages with 5,911 rushing yards and of this season at being able to 92 total touchdowns, and tangle with opponents on the led the Bees to a 10-1 season mat, too. this fall. There’s a certain move — Is football something that wrestling fans would know helped him on the wrestling the correct term — that mat? Steiner’s Locker Service Joe & Kim Steiner Owners 665-3407 CHOICE MEATS WILD GAME PROCESSING CUSTOM SLAUGHTERING Welcome to delicious.® Tim Letcher, General Manager TRUE BLUE SINCE 2003 3208 Broadway Ave. 605-689-3200 RETURNING: Josie Sanger (Jr., 5-6, G, HM All-Conference, 7.4 ppg), Alexis Arens (So., 5-6, G, HM All-Conference, 6.4 ppg), Madisen Kube (Sr., 5-7, G, 3 ppg), Aubree Potts (Jr., 5-7, F), Danielle Steffen (Jr., 5-7, G), Elyssa Tramp (So., 5-5, G), Lauren Arens (Sr., 6-7, F), Ryah Ostermeyer (So., 5-8, F), Kierra Vornhagen (So., 5-9, F), Taylor Arens (So., 5-4, F). NEWCOMERS: Lacey Sprakel (Fr., 5-9, F), Kaley Einrem (Fr., 5-5, G), Erica Tindle NEB. GIRLS | PAGE 7A “Having a good football season right before wrestling really picked up my confidence,” Moles said. “Wrestling probably helps me more in football than football helps with wrestling. “I highly recommend that football players try wrestling.” With his eyes on a possible third trip to the state wrestling tournament, Moles has already gotten his senior season off to a notable start. On the way to the 170-pound title at the Creighton Invite, he captured his 100th career victory. “That’s a pretty cool accomplishment,” Alexander said. “He did it in style, too.” ROSTER: Michael Kurztzhals (Sr.), Zach Dietrich (Sr.), Etan Williams (Jr.), Levi Jackson (So.), Wyatt Taylor (So.), Trace Naeve (Fr.), Zach Mitchell (Fr.) Niobrara-Verdigre COACH: Jason Simons ASSISTANT: Jake McManigal VITALS: Class D RETURNING: Toby Ives (Jr., 113), Dakota Crosley (Sr., 182) NEWCOMERS: Evan Ruzicka (So., 160), Trey Sucha (Fr., 145), Gavon Chohon (Fr., 170) Ponca COACH: Josh Curry ASSISTANT: Anthony Tebbe VITALS: Class C How so? Moles, his coach noted, pinned all three of his opponents during the course of the day Saturday in Creighton — pins haven’t really been a strength of Moles, according to Alexander. It was that milestone that Moles said he hopes spark an interest in younger wrestlers in his hometown. Maybe they could experience what he did in Creighton, he added. “It was a great feeling,” Moles said. “The whole crowd was there and cheered for me, and that gave me chills down my back.” Follow @jhoeck on Twitter Brandon Bloomquist was a state qualifier for Randolph a season ago. RETURNING: Cullen Cook (Sr., 145), Colten Krusemark (Sr., 152), Walter Messerlie (Sr., 160), Andrew Daly (Jr., 182), Michael Hegge (Sr., 195), Michael Logue (Jr., 220), Sam Brickett (Sr., 220) NEWCOMERS: Killian Greer (Fr., 126), Tyler Arrasmith (So., 170), Ben McDuffee (So., 285) Randolph COACH: Mark Lech ASSISTANTS: Aaron Nielsen, Tom Shafer VITALS: Class D RETURNING: Alex Schmit (Jr., state qualifier), Brandon Bloomquist (Jr., state qualifier), Dalton Roth (Sr.) NEWCOMERS: Colby Wathor (Fr.) Wake?eld-Allen COACH: Eric Burenheide ASSISTANT: Justin Smith VITALS: Class C ROSTER: Cesar Sandoval (120), Charlie Lopez (126), Wyatt Verzani (132), Jeremiah Chase (138), Ben Chase (145), Isaac Verzani (152), Devin Hoesing (160), Nolan Litchfield (170), Alex Camarena (182), Noah Lamprecht (195), Julio Sanchez (220), Giovani Salcedo (285) NIOBRARA-VERDIGRE COUGARS Boys’ Basketball Remaining Home Games at Niobrara, except Verdigre Holiday Tourn. 11/30 ................................................at Stuart 12/1.....................vs. Elgin Public-Pope John 12/5.............................. vs. O’Neill St. Mary’s 12/8......................at Clearwater-Orchard (O) 12/9...........................................at Bloom?eld 12/12.............................................. vs. Ewing 12/16........................................ vs. Creighton 12/18...............................................at Wausa 12/28-29 .................. Verdigre Holiday Tourn. 1/4-6 .................. Wausa Post-Holiday Tourn. 1/9..................................................vs. Wynot 1/12.....................................at Elkhorn Valley 1/16..................... at North Central (Spencer) 1/23................. vs. Chambers-Wheeler Cent. 1/25...............................................vs. Santee 1/27-2/3 .......................Niobrara Valley Conf. 2/6..............................................at West Holt 2/9....................................... vs. Boyd County 2/16...................................at Neligh-Oakdale Girls’ Basketball Remaining Home Games at Niobrara, except Verdigre Holiday Tourn. 11/30 ................................................at Stuart 12/1.....................vs. Elgin Public-Pope John 12/5.............................. vs. O’Neill St. Mary’s 12/8......................at Clearwater-Orchard (O) 12/9...........................................at Bloom?eld 12/12.............................................. vs. Ewing 12/16........................................ vs. Creighton 12/18...............................................at Wausa 12/19............................... vs. Neligh-Oakdale 12/28-29 .................. Verdigre Holiday Tourn. 1/4-6 .................. Wausa Post-Holiday Tourn. 1/9..................................................vs. Wynot 1/12.....................................at Elkhorn Valley 1/16..................... at North Central (Spencer) 1/23................. vs. Chambers-Wheeler Cent. 1/25...............................................vs. Santee 1/27-2/3 .......................Niobrara Valley Conf. 2/6..............................................at West Holt 2/9....................................... vs. Boyd County Wrestling 12/2......................................... Creighton Inv. 12/8............................................ Sargent Inv. 12/16......................................... Osmond Inv. 1/6.............................................. Winside Inv. 1/13..................................... Battle Creek Inv. 1/18.......................... vs. Clearwater-Orchard 1/20................................ Neligh-Oakdale Inv. 1/27..........................................Plainview Inv. 2/1.......... Niobrara Valley Conf. (At Atkinson) 2/2.................................Pender Duals Tourn.