Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic
Mascot: Bluejays
Colors: Blue and White
Class: D-1
Conference: Mid-State
Head Coach: Brad Slaughter (5th season) (156-161 career record)
2015-2016 record: 16-9 (lost to Winnebago in Sub-Districts)
Returning Starters: 2
Overview:
The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Boys are looking for big things after finding a good amount of success last season.
Two starters return for 5th year Head Coach Brad Slaughter, and they are Kobe Slaughter and Andrew Guenther.
Here is Brad Slaughter's projected starting lineup:
Kobe Slaughter, 6’, 12th,G, 2 years
Andrew Guenther, 6’, 12th, part time starter.
Mitch Hass, 6’1, 12th.
Nolan Plagge, 6’, 12th
Cole Kreikemeier, 6’, 12th
GACC will have to make up for the loss of 5 contributing seniors.
Newcomers who could make an impact include Sam Ulrich, Jared Minnick, and Landon Stalp, according to Slaughter.
The Bluejays run a motion offense to go with their 2-3 zone and man-to-man defense.
Slaughter says the team should have adequate speed, and a great football season is another team strength.
He adds that height and foul trouble could be team weaknesses and/or Achilles' heels.
I think GACC has a shot to be good this year given the fact they did well last season and had an outstanding football season.
The Bluejays return a lot of players who know how to win, and given the fact GACC is now in D-1, they have to be considered a legitimate state tournament team.
Season Outlook:
GACC has to be thinking state tournament this year.
Slaughter says the team expects to win state this year. I would say that's a very good expectation and goal to have. And it can definitely happen if things come together for the Bluejays at the right time.
Slaughter adds his team should be battle tested come the postseason.
"We will be very competitive, our schedule is extremely difficult. If we can stay healthy and manage our tough schedule, it should be an advantage and very helpful during district time."
GACC has very difficult games against Columbus Scotus and Wynot in the early season, and I would say contests against David City Aquinas and Oakland-Craig are no gimmes either.
Tough contests in the second half of the season appear to be against Lutheran High Northeast, Battle Creek, Boone Central/Newman Grove, O'Neill, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Winnebago, Fremont Bergan, and Pierce.
The second half of the season is going to really test and prepare this team for the postseason, in my opinion.
There aren't a lot of games you can look at and mark as for sure W's based on last year's results.
The Bluejays are in Sub-District D1-4 with defending State Runner-Up Walthill, Pender, Clarkson/Leigh, and Emerson-Hubbard.
If GACC can get through Sub-Districts, they should have a pretty good chance to win their district final.
I think it's important for GACC to get better throughout the season. The Bluejays have to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the long grind of the season.
GACC can't get down on themselves during periods of struggle either. This team has to remain positive and realize all their goals of getting to state and winning a title are right there in front of them.
The Bluejays begin play in the Northeast Nebraska Tip-Off Classic on December 2nd.
2016-2017 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Boys Basketball Schedule:
12/02-12/03 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Tip Off Classic Lutheran High Northeast/GACC
12/06/16 Columbus Scotus
12/08/16 Wynot
12/10/16 @ Crofton
12/20/16 Oakland-Craig
12/22/16 @ Aquinas Catholic
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) GACC Holiday Tour West Point
01/03/17 Lutheran High Northeast
01/07/17 Clarkson/Leigh
01/13/17 @ Wayne
01/14/17 @ Boone Central/Newman Grove
01/17/17 @ Battle Creek
01/20/17 @ O'Neill
01/21/17 Hartington Cedar Catholic
01/28-02/04 (To Be Determined) Mid State Conference Tournament NECC/Norfolk Catholic
02/07/17 @ Norfolk Catholic
02/09/17 Pierce
02/11/17 @ Archbishop Bergan
02/17/17 @ Winnebago
Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic
Mascot: Bluejays
Colors: Blue and White
Class: D-1
Conference: Mid-State
Head Coach: Jerry Stracke (14th season) (328-44 career record)
2015-2016 record: 27-2 (lost to Crofton in State Championship)
Returning Starters: 1
Overview:
The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Girls are expecting to be good again this year despite the fact they lost a ton of talent from last year's team that made the Class C-2 State Championship game.
The Bluejays return just one starter in Lexis Haase.
Here is Jerry Stracke's projected starting lineup so far:
Lexis Haase Jr 5’8 2 year starter
Lauren Wobken Sr 5’8
Hannah Hunke Sr 5’5
Emily Reeson Sr 5’8
Stracke lists all the talent lost to graduation.
"We lost a strong senior class - 6 players from last year. Katey Brown, Kate Knobbe, Katie Steuter, Breanne Kreikemeier, Morgan Bracht, and Sara Wordekemper."
These 6 girls were no doubt the backbone and leaders of last year's team. This year's team has a lot of work to do to get back to the pinnacle, there's no doubt about it.
Stracke says Attitude, Work ethic, and players who like to play defense are strengths of this year's team.
He adds a weakness is the Bluejays don't have as much depth this year as in years past.
However, I fully expect GACC to be good and put a very competitive team on the floor.
The Bluejays figure to simply reload, and have to be considered a legit team to win it all in D-1 given the type of program they are year in and year out.
I don't know if this year's team will be as dominant as last year's team, but GACC should be really good again this year.
The success the softball and volleyball teams had in making their respective state tournaments should lead to success on the basketball court, in my opinion.
Season Outlook:
GACC figures to be in the mix for a state championship yet again this year.
Stracke says these girls have been there and done that before.
"Even though we lost a strong class we do return some players with experience. These girls know what it takes to get down to state. It will depend how much we improve and grow throughout the season."
The Bluejays aren't very deep this year.
Stracke says it's important for his team to get the most out of themselves and play to their potential.
"We don’t have a lot of depth this year so we need to stay away from injuries and will need to learn how to stay out of foul trouble. We will need to learn how to grind it out and be able to win the close games. It should be a fun season."
GACC figures to face challenges from Columbus Scotus, Wynot, Crofton, Wayne, Bishop Neumann, Pierce, and Pender.
The Bluejays may not win as many games and lose as few games as they did last season, but I still expect GACC to be good.
I also look for the Bluejays to have good showings in their Holiday and Conference Tournaments, and perhaps win both.
The road to Lincoln appears to be easy for GACC if they can get past Pender, Emerson-Hubbard, Clarkson/Leigh, and Walthill are other teams in their sub-district.
The winner of Sub-District D1-4 figures to have a pretty easy district final. I would say it's also possible for either GACC or Pender to get a wildcard into the state tournament.
Every game is big and counts, and so the Bluejays have to bring it and be on top of their game night in and night out.
If GACC can do that, they should have a good chance to win every time they take the floor.
The Bluejays open up the season on December 1st in the Northeast Nebraska Tip-Off Classic.
2016-2017 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Bluejays Girls Basketball Schedule:
12/01-12/03 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Tip-Off Classic Lutheran High NE/Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Wisner-Pilger
12/06/16 Columbus Scotus
12/08/16 Wynot
12/10/16 @ Crofton
12/17/16 @ Norfolk Catholic
12/19/16 Wayne
12/22/16 @ Aquinas Catholic
12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) GACC Holiday Tour West Point
01/07/17 Clarkson/Leigh
01/10/17 Bishop Neumann
01/12/17 @ Winnebago
01/14/17 @ Boone Central/Newman Grove
01/17/17 @ Battle Creek
01/20/17 @ O'Neill
01/21/17 Hartington Cedar Catholic
01/28-02/04 (To Be Determined) Mid State Conference Tournament NECC/Norfolk Catholic
02/06/17 Pender
02/09/17 Pierce
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