Team: Stanton
Mascot: Mustangs
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-2
Conference: East Husker
Head Coach: David Stoddard (1st season)
2017-2018 record: 4-19 (lost to Howells-Dodge in Sub Districts)
Returning Starters: 5
Overview:
The Stanton Boys Basketball Team looks accomplish great things this season under new Head Coach David Stoddard, who takes over for Bryan Mendlik.
The Mustangs return all five starters from last year's 4-19 team, and they are Nathan Arens (6’5 12 PF), Sam Bates (6’6 12 C), Marcus Spotanski (6’2 12 G/F), TJ Larson (6’1 11 G), and Mason Bruggeman (6’2 10 F).
Newcomers likely to make an impact are Kadyn Fernau (5’10 12 G), Parker Krusemark (5’11 9 G), and Ben Wilke (6’0 11 G/F).
Stanton struggled on offense last year, and I think their offense is going to need to be better this year for them to be successful.
Stoddard says post play will be a strength this year. "Stanton returns a lot of size in the front court and will need young and inexperienced guards to step up and play at high level. Look for senior F/C Nathan Arens (6’5) to have a breakout senior year. Sam Bates (6’6”) and Mason Bruggeman (6’2) will proved depth in the post. TJ Larson and Marcus Spotanski are also returning starters who had a good off season and are poised for a big year. Depth at guard will be a must, as there will be opportunities for young players to step up and earn varsity playing time."
Stoddard says there's been a real willingness to work, saying a couple big posts have put in a lot of time, and some of the younger kids have really improved in their overall game.
He adds the coaching transition has been easy since the kids worked together in June and July on Football and Basketball.
I'm very interested to see how the Mustangs do this year.
I feel Stanton has the potential to be better and more competitive this year than they were last year.
I look for the Mustangs to make strides as the season progresses, and get better each and every day.
I feel these kids will not be successful not only on the court, but in the classroom and in their other activities as well.
These kids are true student-athletes, and I'm willing to bet they will work hard at every aspect of everything they do this season, on and off the court.
I think the size Stanton has will really pay dividends and give teams fits this year.
I look for Arens and Bates to be forces on the inside.
If the Mustangs can develop some good guard play then they can be pretty good in my estimation.
Season Outlook:
The Stanton Boys Basketball Team looks to get back to their winning ways of the past and be a successful team this season.
The schedule sets up as to where I feel there's a lot of potential for wins out there.
I think the Mustangs can do very well if things can come together for them.
Stanton opens up the season at home against Tekamah-Herman on Thursday.
The Mustangs are in Sub-District C2-6 with Lutheran High Northeast, Wisner-Pilger, Wakefield, and Howells-Dodge.
Stoddard says the Sub-District is loaded. "A very difficult Sub-District. It's overall top to bottom, there's a lot of very solid teams and programs, and well coached teams as well."
I really feel Stanton can surprise some people and be a force to be reckoned with this year.
If the Mustangs can develop some guards then watch out.
Stoddard adds overall team goals are daily and weekly improvement, a great attitude, to be successful student athletes, developing them on a personal side and win as well.
I think the thing for Stanton is to be patient and continue to work hard no matter how the season is going and goes.
The Mustangs may struggle at times, but I feel Stanton has a chance to be a good team, and can find that spark and get on a run at any point in the season.
The Mustangs have to have fun, and enjoy the practices, the bus rides, the time together, and of course the games.
Stanton has to stay positive at all times, and can't get down on themselves even when things aren't going well.
The Mustangs have to put their teammates before themselves, and play for one another.
Stanton has to play as one.
No player is more important than the other, and that's something the Mustangs have to believe and keep in mind when they are playing the game.
Stanton has had a lot of success in the recent past, and I'm sure these kids will do all they can to be as successful as possible.
2018-2019 Stanton Mustangs Boys Basketball Schedule:
11/29/18 Tekamah-Herman
11/30/18 @ Howells-Dodge
12/04/18 West Point-Beemer
12/11/18 North Bend Central
12/14/18 @ Wakefield
12/15/18 Pender
12/18/18 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
12/20/18 @ Wisner-Pilger
12/27-12/28 (To Be Determined) Stanton Holiday Tournament Stanton
01/04/19 Oakland-Craig
01/05/19 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/08/19 @ Plainview
01/11/19 Boone Central/Newman Grove
01/12/19 Battle Creek
01/15/19 Madison
01/19/19 @ BRLD
01/22/19 @ Twin River
01/26-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/19 Clarkson/Leigh
02/15/19 @ Emerson-Hubbard
Team: Stanton
Mascot: Mustangs
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-2
Conference: East Husker
Head Coach: Greg Wegner (4th season) (62-18 record)
2017-2018 record: 24-5 (took 4th at State)
Returning Starters: 4
Overview:
The Stanton Girls Basketball Team looks to make another run at State this year as the Mustangs return four starters from last year's 24-5 team that placed 4th at State.
The returners are Jessie Brandl (5'8" 12 G), Bree Burtwistle (5'9" 12 P), who averaged 9 points a game last year, Liz Christensen (5'9" 12 G), who averaged 7 points a game last year, and Jaiden Hartl (5'8" 12 G), who averaged 8 points a game a season ago.
Newcomers likely to contribute are Juniors Jasmine Kment, Morgan Remm, and Marissa Remm, as well as Sophomore Ellie Locke and Freshman Sylvia Cunningham.
A big loss from last year is Hannah Heppner.
Head Coach Greg Wegner says the team has their sights set on a return trip to Lincoln. "We look to return to Lincoln for the 3rd time in 4 years. We have a solid core group of seniors that have led by example over the past 4 years. Their experience and leadership helped lead us to a Semi-Final appearance last season. The girls use their success in volleyball to fuel their drive towards competing against tough conference opponents throughout the year to prepare themselves for a tournament run."
The Mustangs are coming off four years in a row of making state in Volleyball. "Being in Volleyball down in Lincoln for years definitely helped us last year. My first year here we went down to the State Tournament and played Guardian Angels, and they were just so much more experienced than us, and I think our kids were a little bit overwhelmed being in the State Tournament for Basketball," Wegner said.
Wegner says the team didn't feel the pressure last year and was more relaxed.
He adds things have gone well in the preseason. "But overall I'm pleased. I'm really pleased with the effort. I think we have really good leaders this year. We have some kids that have been playing and starting for four years out on the floor so that has helped with some of the experience, but we're going to need some younger kids to step up this year for us for sure."
I look for Kment and Locke to step up and contribute in a big way. I don't know know what to expect from Morgan and Marissa Remm as well as Cunningham right now, but I'm sure they'll contribute in big ways as well.
I feel Stanton has what it takes to get back to Lincoln this year and do damage again at State, but it won't be easy.
With that said, this team is very veteran laden and experienced, and I fully anticipate them making State.
You can bet the players will be very hungry to win a State Title too given the fact they came up a point short in the Semifinals in Volleyball against Blue Hill.
Season Outlook:
Big things are expected once again from the Stanton Girls this year.
The Mustangs have a bunch of games they should have no problem winning, but there are certain games in bunches that could very well test and define this team.
Stanton opens up the season at home against Tekamah-Herman on Thursday before taking on Howells-Dodge. "Howells is on Friday too. So I know Howells and Scott (Polacek) he has his kids prepared. They're great basketball minds up there. They always give us fits in the post," Wegner said.
Wegner says his squad will have to use their speed, adding they've been working on a lot of fast break and transition offense.
The Mustangs are in Sub-District C2-6 with Battle Creek, Norfolk Catholic, Madison, and Clarkson/Leigh. "Battle Creek, Norfolk Catholic always give us fits. Battle Creek we play them twice a year. Kind of our rival school before we joined the East Husker Conference. And that game's always a battle. And we play them twice a year every year. They've got a good group of athletes right in there with us just like we do," Wegner said.
I think the Braves and Knights, along with the Patriots, will be Stanton's biggest threats.
The Mustangs will have to make sure they are playing their best basketball and are on top of their game at that time.
I think if Stanton plays up to their potential and stays healthy and everything like that they have a strong chance to win both the East Husker Conference and Sub-District Tournaments.
Oakland-Craig, West Point-Beemer BRLD, Clarkson/Leigh, and Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family could have something to say about conference, and the Sub-District is tough so certainly nothing will be easy.
At the end of the day though I look for Stanton to be right there and contend for and win championships.
Hartington/Newcastle is another tough team this year that comes to Stanton for the Holiday Tournament so the Mustangs have their work cut out against them too.
Stanton has a tough schedule, but I feel the schedule will only prepare and make the Mustangs a stronger team as the year progresses.
I fully expect Stanton to step up and come through in clutch moments, and be the team that nobody wants to play.
2018-2019 Stanton Mustangs Girls Basketball Schedule:
11/29/18 Tekamah-Herman
11/30/18 @ Howells-Dodge
12/04/18 West Point-Beemer
12/11/18 North Bend Central
12/14/18 @ Wakefield-Allen
12/15/18 Pender
12/18/18 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
12/20/18 @ Wisner-Pilger
12/27-12/28 (To Be Determined) Stanton Holiday Tournament Stanton
01/04/19 Oakland-Craig
01/05/19 @ Logan View-Scribner-Snyder
01/08/19 @ Plainview
01/11/19 Boone Central/Newman Grove
01/12/19 Battle Creek
01/15/19 Madison
01/19/19 @ BRLD
01/22/19 @ Twin River
01/25-02/02 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament TBD
02/07/19 Clarkson/Leigh
02/08/19 Norfolk Catholic
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