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Basketball: Lady Bluejays have no returning starters
Published 12/4/2008 in Special Sections : Area High Schools
By JASON ELMQUIST
It was an amazing year for the 2007-2008 Cimarron girls basketball squad with a 24-2 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 3A state tournament. This year could be just as amazing watching how well they adjust to losing all five of their starters from last year's team -- four of which earned all-league, all-area and all-state honors.
The Lady Bluejays won't be without a bit of experience, however, as they have six returning letterwinners, including five seniors -- Alicia Owens, Alisha Schlicht, Yomaira Rosas, Hanna Burl and Taylor Claar -- and junior Janae Helfrich.
"Although we don't return a lot of varsity experience, our returners have played together for a number of years and are working hard," Cimarron coach David Ediger said.
Cimarron will have some height with Owens, a 6-0 center, and freshman forward Lindsay Wehkamp, who is listed at 5-9. There's also three girls coming in at 5-8 -- juniors Kelsey Stucky and Callie Losey and sophomore Kate Lock.
Others that will look to see some playing time will be a pair of guards in 6-3 junior Katelyn Ridenour and 5-4 freshman Avery Burns.
"We will play hard," Ediger said. "And if we can fill a few spots, we should be very competitive this season."
CHS starts its season Friday at home against Meade.
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Bluejays return three starters from last year
The Cimarron boys basketball squad will be returning a few experienced players from last year's team that finished with a 6-16 record.
Senior guards Stephen Austin and Jordan Toothaker and junior forward Ryan Bryant are returning starters for the Bluejays, while other returning letter winners include senior guard Talon Schneiner, junior forwards Eric Flores, Matt Wehkamp and Charles Blattner.
"We will have quality depth and good quickness," Doug Minneman said. "We'll just need to find a reliable scorer."
The Bluejays' coach said his squad will be lacking in size with six of his returning seven letter winners standing between 5-10 to 6-0 -- Thoothaker being the exception standing a 5-6. Bryant and Schneiner are listed at 5-10 with Flores and Blattner coming in at 5-11. Austin, who averaged 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game last year, is 6-0 and Wehkamp is the tallest at 6-1.
Cimarron will also have three incoming forwards to add to the mix as well -- Nate Baublits, a 5-10 sophomore forward, 5-11 junior forward Travis Sharp and 6-0 senior forward Matt Kleiwer.
"Have the potential to be a successful team. We will need to have strong leadership and will need to play as a team," Minneman said.
Cimarron Blue Jays
League: Hi-Plains
Class: 3A
Coach: Doug Minneman, third year
2007-2008 Record: 6-16 (4-6, HPL)
Returning starters: Stephen Austin, 6-0, Sr., guard; Jordan Toothaker, 5-6, Sr., guard; Ryan Bryant, 5-10, Jr., forward.
Returning lettermen: Talon Schneiner, 5-10, Sr., guard; Eric Flores, 5-11, Jr., forward; Matt Wehkamp, 6-1, Jr., forward; Charles Blattner, 5-11, forward.
Others to watch: Nate Baublits, 5-10, So., forward; Travis Sharp, 5-11, Jr., forward; Matt Kleiwer, 6-0, Sr., forward.
Lady Blue Jays
Coach: David Ediger, fourth year
Overall record last year: 24-2 (9-1, HPL)
Returning starters: none.
Returning lettermen: Alicia Owens, 6-0, Sr., center; Alisha Schlicht, 5-6, Sr., guard; Yomaira Rosas, 5-7, Sr., guard; Hanna Burl, 5-4, Sr., guard; Taylor Claar, 5-3, Sr., guard; Janae Helfrich, 5-4, Jr., guard.
Others to watch: Kelsey Stucky, 5-8, Jr., forward; Callie Losey, 5-8, Jr., center; Katelyn Ridenour, 5-3, Jr., guard; Kate Lock, 5-8, So., forward; Avery Burns, 5-4, Fr., guard; Lindsay Wehkamp, 5-9, Fr., forward.
SCHEDULE
Dec. 5-MEADE; Dec. 8-13-BLUEJAY INVITATIONAL; Dec. 16-Ulysses; Dec. 19-Elkhart; Jan. 9-STANTON COUNTY; Jan. 13-LARNED; Jan. 16-SYRACUSE; Jan. 19-24-Hi Plains League Tournament; Jan. 30-HUGOTON; Feb. 6-Lakin; Feb. 10-Sublette; Feb. 13-LEOTI; Feb. 17-Scott City; Feb. 20-Holcomb; Feb. 24-Satanta; Feb. 26-SOUTHWESTERN HEIGHTS.
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