GACC Boys and Girls have high expectations coming into season

 

Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic

Mascot: Bluejays

Colors: Blue and White

Class: C-2

Conference: Mid-State

Head Coach: Matt Mackling (1st season)

2019-2020 record: 11-13 (lost to Oakland-Craig in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Boys are under new leadership as Matt Mackling takes over the program for Alex Stieren.

The Bluejays lost quite a bit to graduation, but bring back the likes of Brendan Rief, Nate Niewohner, Ben Ulrich, and Cody Steffen.

GACC lost a couple of big post players in Casey Doernemann and Adam Reeson so the inside game could be a developmental area for the Bluejays this season.

Coach Mackling says the kids have been able to get quite a bit done despite the pandemic. "Things have been very different but still productive. We have been able to hold 75% of our off season conditioning outdoors due to our nice weather we've experienced so far. We had to get creative with a few workouts but feel we accomplished what was needed during this time. Season has started and we are taking every precaution to allow our boys to get as much done as possible. Even though it takes a little discipline to wear masks, wash hands and sanitize everything we will all do are part of giving us every opportunity to have a season. All the boys are on board! We have adapted well."

It sounds like GACC could very well be ahead of the curve compared to everyone else.

Expectations are always high at GACC, and I'm sure this year is no different.

I look for the Bluejays to get better as the year goes on, and have a nice, respectable season.

That is of course if we get a season, which I believe we will in some form or fashion.

Season Outlook:

GACC will have to play in front of just immediate household members and 25% capacity in gyms as will everybody else.

Coach Mackling says the kids just simply want to play. "I do think some of the boys really look forward to displaying their talents and work in front of an electric crowd but at the end of the day they want to compete and we wouldn't care if we played in a completely empty building or outdoors if it was our only option!"

It will definitely make for a different atmosphere that is for sure.

The Bluejays will definitely have to find some will from within and bring some of their own energy to play and do well.

Coach Mackling says the team has been chomping at the bit to get out there and play. "We have been more than anxious to get the season started and have been working hard to prepare! "

I'm optimistic that GACC can have some success this year.

I think the Bluejays can finish with a winning record and have a good season.

GACC is going to be fairly young this year I think so the Bluejays may struggle early, but I look for GACC to get better as the season progresses and hit their stride about midseason perhaps.

The Bluejays are in Sub-District C2-3 with Oakland-Craig, Wisner-Pilger, Clarkson/Leigh, Wisner-Pilger, and Tekamah-Herman.

2020-2021 GACC Bluejays Boys Basketball Schedule:

12/04/20 @ Wisner-Pilger

12/05/20 Lutheran High Northeast

12/08/20 Columbus Scotus

12/10/20 Wynot

12/12/20 @ Crofton

12/22/20 @ Wayne

12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) North Bend Central Holiday Tournament North Bend Central

01/02/21 @ Aquinas Catholic

01/05/21 Oakland-Craig

01/07/21 Pender

01/16/21 @ Boone Central

01/19/21 @ Battle Creek

01/22/21 @ O'Neill

01/23/21 Hartington Cedar Catholic

01/28/21 Mead

01/30-02/06 (To Be Determined) Mid State Conference Battle Creek/Wayne

02/09/21 @ Norfolk Catholic

02/11/21 Pierce

02/13/21 @ Archbishop Bergan

02/19/21 @ Winnebago

Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic

Mascot: Bluejays

Colors: Blue and White

Class: C-2

Conference: Mid-State

Head Coach: Jerry Stracke (23rd season) (453-119 career record)

2019-2020 record: 22-4 (lost to Clarkson/Leigh in Sub-State Final)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Girls figure to be very good once again this year with the return of about everybody from last year's team.

A few of the returners are Brenna Rief, Sophia Hass, and Kate Gnad.

These three along with the newcomers should provide a lot of dynamic ability for the Bluejays.

GACC had a tough loss in the Sub-State Final to Clarkson/Leigh last year, and you can bet the Bluejays have been working extremely hard to get back to the top.

Longtime Head Coach Jerry Stracke says things have been different given the Coronavirus Pandemic, however. "The coronavirus has made a big difference on how we approach things this year. We didn't get the off season that we liked to have but I guess all the teams are in the same situation. We also taking the approach with getting everything in early at practice not knowing if you will have all your players or be playing all the teams on your schedule. So maybe a little sense of urgency this year - especially falling short of make it to state last year."

With just about everybody back from last year you have to figure GACC has a great chance to make it back to State this year.

The Bluejays have to really get after things though and have to really want it. And that won't be easy given the current fan attendance situation for the season.

GACC can definitely do it though.

Season Outlook:

The GACC Girls, like everybody else, will be playing in front of just immediate household family members and 25% capacity gyms.

Coach Stracke says things won't be the same. "It's going to be different that's for sure. But we need to do everything we can to give the girls a shot at a season."

That is what is most important at the end of the day, is playing.

The Bluejays won't be playing in front of packed gyms and loud atmospheres and such though.

GACC is probably used to playing in that kind of atmosphere, but the Bluejays will simply have to create their own energy and enthusiasm and will have to be even physically and mentally tougher than before.

GACC can definitely do it, it's just going to take some adjusting and adapting from them.

Coach Stracke says the team is ready to go, but a little unsure of things at the moment. "We are very excited for the season to get started and a little apprehensive and nervous of not knowing what is going to happen or how things will end up."

I do truly believe there will be a season of some sort, it just simply depends on what and how it's going to look like.

The Bluejays are in Sub-District C2-3 with the likes of Howells-Dodge, Wisner-Pilger, and Tekamah-Herman.

It should be another big and exciting year for GACC Girls Basketball.

I'm excited to see what the Bluejays can do this year and how far they can go.

2020-2021 GACC Bluejays Girls Basketball Schedule:

12/04/20 @ Wisner-Pilger 12/05/20 Lutheran High Northeast 12/08/20 Columbus Scotus 12/10/20 Wynot 12/12/20 @ Crofton 12/17/20 @ Winnebago 12/19/20 @ Norfolk Catholic 12/22/20 @ Wayne 12/29-12/30 (To Be Determined) North Bend Central Holiday Tournament North Bend Central 01/02/21 @ Aquinas Catholic 01/07/21 Bishop Neumann 01/14/21 Archbishop Bergan 01/16/21 @ Boone Central 01/19/21 @ Battle Creek 01/22/21 @ O'Neill 01/23/21 Hartington Cedar Catholic 01/28/21 Mead 01/30-02/06 (To Be Determined) Mid State Conference Battle Creek/Wayne 02/09/21 Pender 02/11/21 Pierce