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HARTINGTON - The Hartington- Newcastle Wildcats return seven players to the court with experience to try to improve on last season’s 10-15 record.
The Wildcat basketball fortunes took a big hit on the gridiron this fall when the returning leader in scoring and rebounding, Brayden Lammers, broke his leg.
“Time will tell if he can make it back on the court for his senior season,” said HNS coach Tylor Fincher. “He has still shown interest in playing basketball at the next level.”
What Fincher does have coming back has the makings of a solid season.
Junior Austin Sudbeck returns after a sophomore season that saw him average over eight points per game.
Six-foot-seven-inch Mason Krause returns in the middle and 6’5” Carter Kelly who the coach called a “great rebounder and defender” will help inside.
Keatyn Arens, a 5’8” guard leads by example according to Fincher and will be joined by Lincoln Grutsch, Colton Cavanaugh and Will Feilmeier in finding the court this winter.
The schedule will be a challenge for Hartington-Newcastle.
I feel we have one of the toughest schedules in the state,” Fincher said. “We play Ponca first then go to Summerland and also O’Neill to take on St. Mary’s.”
The ‘Cats open the season Dec. 4 at home against Ponca then travel to Summerland Dec. 5.
Boyd County comes to Hartington on Dec. 9 then the Wildcats head to St. Mary’s Dec. 12.
