December 7, 2007 Vol. 36 Issue 6
Season
begins with positive attitudes
By Seth Morton, sr., and Bailey Myers, jr.
Reporter and
Advertising Manager
It is time for basketball season again, and for the second year
in a row Jeff Wilkerson is coaching the girls’ basketball team; newcomer
Amy Dawson will be assisting him.
“Amy is a good young energetic coach,” said Wilkerson. “She
is a valuable asset to the team.”
After losing only one senior from last year’s team, Wilkerson has a
total of 12 girls on the team this year, including three seniors, Adrienne
Gutierrez, Terra Woods, and Sarah Works. With a small team but experienced
players, the Lady Cubs hope to dominate this season after a lot of hard work
and practice.
“Even though we have a small team, it seems like we put out a huge effort,”
said Gutierrez. “We play with all our hearts, and we try our hardest
in both games and practice. We’ve also been playing together with the
same girls for a while now, so we have a lot of faith in each other.”
Photo by Emily Hauser, sr.
Pass
Senior Sarah Works looks for an open teamate to pass the ball to in
the Lady Cub's first win of the season against
West Elk on Tuesday
Now that the players have gotten to know their coach a little
better and vice versa, the Lady Cubs hope to improve this year and keep building
their skills using their coach’s now familiar techniques and plays.
“Basketball is not a some-of-the-time sport; it is a year-round sport.
If you truly want to be a good basketball player, you can not wait until November
to pick a basketball up,” said Wilkerson.
The girls have positive attitudes about this season and are confident in their
abilities. The seniors have been playing together since middle school, making
it a total of six years together.
“I like playing basketball, and I am pumped about this season. I hope
to improve my skills some this year also,” said Melissa Davidson, fr.
“We work really hard in practice, so hopefully it pays off and shows
in our wins.”
New coach brings team high hopes
By Jordan Stiffler
Reporter
Cub basketball is in full swing again, but this year the boys
varsity team is being led by a new coach.
David Taylor, head coach, came to Humboldt from Iola, where he taught biology
and coached basketball and track. He now teaches physical education at the
elementary school along with his coaching duties. As a coach new to Humboldt
basketball, Taylor has high hopes for his team this year.
“The team is willing to work hard, and hard work is what it takes to
make a good team,” said Taylor.
Having a new coach means, new training techniques and different styles of
play.
“Coach Taylor is a very good coach and knows what he is doing,”
said Devin Onnen, jr. “He has helped us work as a family, and he has
made practices fun.”
Four returning seniors, Zach Cole, Sam Norris, Devin Myers, and Drake Tilman
will also be leading the team this year along with returning assistant coach,
Brad Piley.
Photo by Emily Hauser, sr.
Score!
Senior Zach Cole drives the ball past a West Elk player
in the 64-42 win.
The Cubs played Moran on Thursday and will play Northest tonight.
“I tell them [underclassmen] to keep their head on straight;
don’t get too nervous, and play hard,” said Norris. “We
have to be focused and ready.”
Though hopes are high for a successful season, the team realizes that there
will be some tough competition along the way.
“Our toughest league game will be against Yates Center,” said
Corey Henshall, so. “We will be ready for them though because Coach
Taylor is pushing us really hard, and we have an athletic team.”
Rounding out the team are three juniors, seven sophomores and three freshmen
who plan to do what it takes for a successful season as well.
“We work really hard,” said Tyler Gean, so. “The coaches
make sure we stay focused, and they don’t let us get too cocky after
a win.”
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