Wheat State League Catch-All: Winter Preview

Hope High School is back in 2012. The Lions and Lady Lions combined in the 2011-2012 basketball season to post a 21-1 record in Wheat State action and won both Wheat State, boys and girls, championships.

The motto at Hope High School, for all sports, has long been tradition never graduates, it just keeps going on and on. Well, a number of players from Hope High School graduate in the spring of 2012 but the Lions and Lady Lions hope their tradition did go with them over the ceremonial graduation stage.

Hope High School will take their first step towards making sure that tradition did not graduate this Friday night when they

Solomon

The Lady Gorillas have four starters back from last year’s squad that went 2-15 but will be under new guidance this year as Pete Meagher begins his first season as Lady Gorilla coach. "We have a good mix of height and speed," Meagher said. "Senior Broke Jansen and Junior Jamie Meagher will be tough to stop inside," Meagher said. "Taylor Roleder also provides an outside threat as well. If our kids can understand their roles on the team we will have a great season." The Solomon boys are coming off a season that saw them go 6-15, 4-5. Solomon is scheduled to open the season Friday night by playing host to Sacred Heart.

Hope

Hope is the defending Wheat State champion in both boys and girls. The Lady Lions went 18-2, 11-0 last year while the Lion boys went 21-5, 10-1. Hope is scheduled to begin the season Friday night when it plays at Tescott.

Wakefield

The Wakefield Bomber boys are coming off a season that saw them go 3-18, 1-7 while the Lady Bombers went 8-13, 3-4. Wakefield is scheduled to open its season Friday night by playing host to Sylvan-Lucas.

Little River

Little River High School is coming off a season that saw its boys’ basketball team post a 13-7, 5-3 record while the Lady Redskins were 14-8, 5-1. This season Little River is scheduled to begin on Thursday night when it plays host to Moundridge High School.

White City

White City High School saw its boys’ basketball team post a 15-7, 7-2 record in the 2011-2012 season and finish second in the Wheat State League while the Lady Cougars were 9-13, 5-5. This season White City is scheduled to open its season Thursday night with play in the Lebo Tournament. The Lebo Tournament is scheduled to be played Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Centre

The Cougar boys have three returning starters from last year’s team which posted a 9-12 record for head coach Greg Wyatt, who is entering into his fourth year at Centre. The Cougars will open the 2012-2013 season Friday night when they play host to Junction City’s St. Xavier High School. The Lady Cougars have four starters back from last year’s 13-10 team under Alan Stahlecker, who is entering into his fourth season at Centre. "With four returning starters from last year and three more from the prior season we enter this season with a great deal of experience. After a good run at the end of last season and into the postseason and our first state tournament appearance in 39 years, I expect the momentum and experience to enable us to be very competitive. We should be well balanced and able to play a lot of girls without losing much competitiveness."

Goessel

The Bluebird boys’ basketball team is coming off a 12-11 season last year and have four returning staters for head coach Curtis Guhr, who is entering into his second year. "Depth will be key in the guard position with four of our five starters returning from last season. Our quickness and ability to handle the ball is a definite asset as we head into the season." The Bluebirds open the season Friday night by playing host to Inman. The Lady Bluebirds have three returning starters from last year’s 4-16 squad under Ryan Hoopes, who enters his sixth year guiding the Goessell girls.

Peabody Burns

The Warrior basketball team went 9-13, 5-4 last season while the Lady Warriors were 5-15, 3-7. Peabody Burns High School is scheduled to begin its 2012-2013 campaign this Friday night when they compete at Chase County High School.

Elyria Christian

Elyria Christian High School went 4-17, 1-8 in boys basketball last season while the Lady Eagles were 16-6, 5-3 in 2011-2012. Elyria Christian is scheduled to begin the 2012-2013 season on Friday night when they play host to Canton-Galva High School.