Team: Winnebago
Mascot: Indians
Colors: Blue and White
Class: C-1
Conference: Lewis and Clark
Head Coach: Jeff Berridge (5th season) (98-14 career record)
2016-2017 record: 28-3 (took third at state)
Returning Starters: 2
Overview:
The Winnebago Boys Basketball Team has gained a transfer and brings back 2 starters from last year's team that went 28-3 and finished 3rd at State. Head Coach Jeff Berridge. "I've got D'Von Lapointe (6'0) back, he was my point guard last year. He's a senior this year. And I mean he put some big numbers up last year so he's going to play an even bigger role this year since we losing a lot. Then I got another starter back...Manape Cleveland (SR SG/SF). One of my sharp shooters from the outside. He kind of grew over the summer so he's kind of taller. So he's looking to play more of an inside/outside game. So I got him and then I got a transfer kid from South Sioux that's going to contribute big time. His name's Lance Denney (6'7, SR C). So he's a big body kid. So he's going to be able to bang around and get us some rebounds and some blocks, and hopefully some scoring down low."
Berridge says Maurice Scott (SR PG/SG), who came off the bench for the Indians last year, had a big summer.
The Indians may be small for the most part this year, but Denney and Willy Wingett and others should make a big impact down low for Winnebago I would think.
It appears the Indians have plenty of talent and are poised to make another state run.
A lot of people probably think that Winnebago won't be as good this year as in the past, but I think the Indians will prove their doubters wrong.
The big thing for Winnebago is to keep a level head and keep their eye on the prize at all times.
The Indians just have to play their brand of basketball, and continue to get better as the season progresses.
Winnebago beat Omaha South in their jamboree game, and that's a pretty big deal for the Indians, in my opinion.
Exhibition or not, Winnebago downed a Class A power.
That has to give the Indians a ton of confidence heading into this season.
I look for Winnebago to be mighty and strong again this year, and to give everyone on their schedule fits.
The Indians have to look to push tempo and force teams to adjust and adapt to their style of play.
Winnebago has to take the ball strong to the basket, and get to the free throw line and convert as well as make easy layups.
Playing tight defense and being committed on the defensive end of the floor will also be critical for the Indians I feel.
Season Outlook:
The Winnebago Boys Basketball Team looks to have another huge season this year.
The Indians have what I consider to be difficult games against the likes of Walthill, Oakland-Craig, Ponca, Gretna, BRLD, Grand Island Central Catholic, and Guardian Angels Central Catholic.
Winnebago has some challenging games, but a lot of the games on the schedule that should be sure wins.
The Indians are looking to win their 5th consecutive Lewis & Clark Conference Tournament.
Winnebago kicks off their season on Thursday at home against Homer. Berridge says the Indians have a newly remodeled gym. "It's going to be a good one. It's a home game. And our gym was newly redone. We got a brand new floor, new bleachers...so it's kind of like a refresher, a new home. So hopefully we can break it in with our regular season."
The Indians clobbered the Knights 101-18 in Homer last year.
I look for Winnebago to come out and win big again this year.
I think the Indians will start fast and run away with things quickly. I don't think the Knights can hang with Winnebago.
The Indians are in Sub-District C1-5 with Pierce, Wayne, Norfolk Catholic, and Madison.
The Blue Devils figure to be tough, and the Bluejays should be good too, but Winnebago should have a good chance to get through that sub-district when the time comes I would think.
The Indians just have to play consistent ball throughout the course of the season like they have in recent years.
Winnebago has to find ways to win close games, and has to take care of business against the opponents they're projected to beat.
The Indians can't afford to take a night off, and can't get cocky or complacent.
Winnebago has to stay focused throughout the course of the season, and must give it their all at all times.
The Indians have to play for each other, and for the school and community of Winnebago.
2017-2018 Winnebago Indians Boys Basketball Schedule:
11/30/17 Homer
12/01/17 @ Walthill
12/07/17 @ Omaha Nation
12/12/17 @ Oakland-Craig
12/21/17 @ Norfolk Catholic
12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined Shootout On the Elkhorn Wisner
01/04/18 Dakota Valley, SD Site: CNOS Classic CNOS Classic
01/05/18 Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
01/06/18 @ Wakefield
01/09/18 Emerson-Hubbard
01/12/18 @ Wynot
01/13/18 Carroll, IA Site: Jennie Ed MAC Shootout Jennie Ed MAC Shootout
01/16/18 Ponca
01/20/18 Gretna Site: Nebraska Prep Classic Nebraska Prep Classic
01/23/18 @ BRLD
01/26-02/05 (To Be Determined) Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament TBA
02/06/18 @ Wakefield
02/10/18 Grand Island Central Catholic Site: Heartland Hoops Classic Heartland Hoops Classic
02/16/18 @ Guardian Angels Central Catholic
Team: Winnebago
Mascot: Indians
Colors: Blue and White
Class: C-1
Conference: Lewis and Clark
Head Coach: Doug Mackling (2nd Season)
2016-2017 record: 6-18 (lost to Arlington in Sub-Districts)
Returning Starters: N/A
Overview:
The Winnebago Girls Basketball Team looks to be improved this year, especially with the transfers they have from Fremont.
Players that I recognize from last year are Isabel Earth (5'4,PG SR), Evah Appleton (5'5 G SR), Tia Yellowthunder (5'5, PG/SG SO), Kae Earth (5'7, F JR), Jean Parker-Morris (C, JR), and Deonna Harris (5'8, PF/C SR).
I think all the experience the Indians bring back and gained with the transfers should allow Winnebago to be pretty good and competitive this season.
The Indians have to focus on the fundamentals of the game, and must work hard everyday in practice and in games.
Winnebago has to take care of the ball, make smart passes, take good shots, get to and convert at the free throw line, and make easy layups.
The Indians also have to pressure the ball hard on defense, and create turnovers into easy points.
Boxing out and rebounding well will be important for Winnebago too I feel.
The Indians have to play together as one to try and win more games this year than last.
Team camaraderie has to be good throughout the course of the season, and Winnebago has to play with a positive attitude the entire time.
Season Outlook:
The Winnebago Girls Basketball Team looks to be better this year than they were last year.
The Indians have difficult games against the likes of Oakland-Craig, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Ponca, Pierce, BRLD, and Wahoo Neumann to say the least.
These games appear to be pretty difficult, but there are a lot of games on the schedule that Winnebago can definitely win.
I think the Indians have a chance to get their program turned around this season, and start a winning culture.
Changing the culture of a team is never easy, but I think Winnebago has a chance to get things headed in the right direction this year and be a factor in the Lewis & Clark Conference as well as in their sub-district.
The Indians are in Sub-District C1-5 with Pierce, Wayne, Norfolk Catholic, and Madison.
Tough sub-district as both the Bluejays and Blue Devils should be really good, but you never know what can happen when that time comes.
The Indians open up the season on Thursday at home against Homer.
2017-2018 Winnebago Indians Girls Basketball Schedule:
11/30/17 Homer
12/01/17 @ Walthill
12/07/17 @ Omaha Nation
12/12/17 @ Oakland-Craig
12/14/17 @ Guardian Angels Central Catholic
12/21/17 @ Norfolk Catholic
12/28-12/30 (To Be Determined) Shootout On the Elkhorn Wisner
01/05/18 Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
01/06/18 Dakota Valley, SD Site: CNOS Classic CNOS Classic
01/09/18 Emerson-Hubbard
01/12/18 @ Wynot
01/16/18 Ponca
01/19/18 Pierce
01/23/18 @ BRLD
01/25/18 Pender
01/26-02/05 (To Be Determined) Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament TBA
02/06/18 @ Wakefield
02/08/18 @ Bishop Neumann
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