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Ingalls basketball: Nally happy with team's size
Published 12/4/2008 in Special Sections : Area High Schools
By BRETT MARSHALL
Butch Nally has been coaching long enough to know the skills of his players will vary from year to year and to make the best of that, adjustments will need to be made.
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Laurie Sisk/Telegram — Ingalls High School's Marty Wendel pulls up for a shot against Rolla during a game last season.
That's what the Ingalls Bulldogs boys basketball coach is facing this season as he transitions his team from a fast-break, pressing team into one that wants to utilize its size.
Nally, entering his ninth year at Ingalls, has put together an impressive 116-81 record.
His frontline size that he is counting on for success this year comes from a trio of players who saw full or part-time playing experience last season. The group includes 6-3 senior Jake Wyatt, 6-5 junior Marty Wendel and 6-2 junior Angel Varella. While their scoring averages don't jump out, they still remain the foundation on which Nally will build his team.
"Our size is good with the starters," Nally said. "As a result, our rebounding should be a strength."
The lone backcourt player with plenty of experience is returning starter Zac Thomas, a 5-10 senior guard, who averaged 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. Wendel, the only other returning starter, averaged 5.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Two other guards return who saw playing time a year ago in 5-10 junior Matt Snyder and 5-9 senior guard Abe Martinez.
Nally will also look to build depth from a trio of sophomores -- 5-10 guard Kaleb Batman, 5-9 guard Dalton Brooks and 5-11 guard Mike Thompson.
"We probably will not be as quick as in the past," Nally said, "but hopefully our size will help offset some of that."
Three returning starters, including one all-league performer, will form the nucleus for coach Roger Thurlow's Lady Bulldogs this season.
Following a 6-14 season a year ago, that nucleus gives Thurlow hope for an improved 2008-2009 season.
"We'll be better and we'll have a lot of speed," Thurlow said. "We've got quite a bit of speed and we plan to fastbreak and press a bunch."
The top returner is Savannah Dwyre. Last year, the 5-8 junior, earned All-Santa Fe Trail League honors by averaging seven points and six rebounds during her sophomore season. She will be joined on the front line by returning starter 5-7 junior Kayla Droste, who averaged five points and five rebounds. Junior guard Miranda Snyder (5-4) also is back to start after averaging three points.
Thurlow has three other players back who saw playing time last season -- 5-4 junior guard Angela Littrell, 5-5 sophomore Kiley Schmidt and 5-1 junior Riley Vanderree. Littrell and Schmidt are expected to move into the starting lineup. However, there is a freshman that Thurlow will be looking to as the season progresses, to make a splash at the varsity level. She is 5-5 Janae Droste, the younger sister of Kayla.
"She will definitely see playing time here at the start of the season and by Christmas might have a chance to become a starter," Thurlow said. "She's got the skills you look for and we just want to bring her along at the start of the season."
Ingalls Bulldogs
Class: 1A
League: Santa Fe Trail
Coach: Butch Nally (9th year, 116-81)
2007-2008 Record: 13-8 (3-1 league)
Returning Starters: Zac Thomas (5-10 Sr., G), Marty Wendel (6-5 Jr., F/C).
Other Returning Players: Matt Snyder (5-10 Jr., G), Abe Martinez (5-9 Sr., G).
Top Newcomers: Kaleb Batman (5-10 So., G), Dalton Brooks (5-9 So., G), Mike Thompson (5-11 So., G).
Ingalls Lady Bulldogs
Coach: Roger Thurlow (3rd year)
2007-2008 Record: 6-14
Returning Starters: Savannah Dwyre (5-8 Jr., F), Kayla Droste (5-7 Jr., F), Miranda Snyder (5-4 Jr., G).
Other Top Returners: Angela Littrell (5-4 Jr., G), Kiley Schmidt (5-5 So., G), Riley Vanderree (5-1 Jr., G).
Top Newcomer: Janae Droste (5-5 Fr., G/F).
SCHEDULE (Home Games are Listed in ALL CAPS)
Dec. 5-MOSCOW; Dec. 9-12-at Fowler Invitational; Dec. 16-at Minneola; Dec. 19-SOUTH GRAY; Jan. 6-at Spearville; Jan. 9-ASHLAND; Jan. 16-At Moscow; Jan. 19-24-Santa Fe Trail League tournament at Deerfield; Jan. 27-at Dighton; Jan. 30-DEERFIELD; Jan. 31-at Healy; Feb. 3-HAVILAND; Feb. 10-BUCKLIN; Feb. 13-at Jetmore; Feb. 17-at Deerfield.
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