County hoops teams prepare for 2015
Fourteen Nodaway County basketball teams used the holiday break to prepare for the 2015 portion of their schedules, using extra practice opportunities to work on all phases of the game to prepare for the brunt of conference action and key non-conference matchups.
The Maryville boys enter the 2015 part of their schedule on a four-game winning streak, and their 6-4 record matches last season’s win total.
First-year head coach Matt Stoecklein feels his young squad is beginning to play together, especially at the defensive end as they prepare to take on the highly competitive MEC portion of their schedule, which begins when the Hounds travel to Lafayette for a 7 p.m. contest Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The Lady Spoofhounds stand at 0-9 at the break, and first-year head coach Candace Boeh is looking for her squad to play with intensity for a full game.
The Lady Hounds have fallen into a habit of falling behind during the first three quarters, then playing with a greater sense of urgency as they attempt to come back, only to come up short.
The MEC is very balanced and competitive this season on the girls side, so the Lady Hounds will be challenged every time they step on the floor. Maryville opens the 2015 portion of their schedule at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 when they host Lafayette.
The Jefferson Eagles return to the hardwood at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2 when the Lady Eagles and Eagles travel to Grant City to take on Worth County.
Head coach Tim Jermain’s Eagles stand at 5-3 on the season, with losses coming at the hands of Maryville, Bishop LeBlond and Mound City.
The Lady Eagles currently stand at 7-1 on the season, as a one-point loss to Mound City is the only thing standing between head coach Tyler Pedersen’s squad and a perfect start to the season. The Lady Eagles are currently ranked sixth in the state in Class 1 Missouri Basketball Coaches Association poll
At Nodaway-Holt, head coach David Carroll’s Lady Trojans sport a 5-4 record at the holiday break as they try to replace four starters, including Maryville Daily Forum girls’ basketball player of the year Megan Rosenbohm, from last season’s 26-1 district championship squad.
The Trojans, under the direction of veteran head coach Terry Petersen, boast a 6-3 record at the break and seem to be finding their identity as a team with a strong inside offensive attack and tough defense.
Both squads return to the court at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 when they travel to North Andrew to play the Cardinals.
A pair of first-year head coaches have brought excitement and some early-season success to the North Nodaway basketball program.
Lady Mustang head coach Sami Jackson has led her squad to a 5-5 record at the holiday break, while starting only one senior, one junior and three sophomores. The Lady Mustangs return to action at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, when they host South Holt in an important Highway 275 Conference tilt.
Head coach Jake Shipman’s Mustang boys may qualify as the most improved squad in the county, posting a 4-4 record after winning only one game a year ago.
The Mustangs came within two points of winning the Northwest Missouri Basketball Tournament and they return to the court at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 when they host South Holt in Highway 275 Conference action.
The holiday break came at a good time for Northeast Nodaway and head coach Chaim Jenkins, as the Bluejays have dropped four games in a row since a Dec. 9 47-30 victory over Tarkio, and stand at 2-7 on the season. Extra practice time has allowed the squad the chance to recharge and work on weaknesses before traveling to Mercer for a 7:30 p.m. game Friday, Jan. 2 with the Cardinals.
Vance Proffitt’s Northeast Nodaway Lady Bluejays stand at 5-4 on the season, and the pre-holiday record includes two losses to the South Nodaway Lady Longhorns. The Lady Bluejays face a tough task when they return to the court after holiday break, as they travel to Mercer for a 6 p.m. contest Friday, Jan. 2 with the home standing Lady Cardinals, ranked third in the latest MBCA Class 1 poll.
The Lady Longhorns of South Nodaway stand at 8-1 at break, with their only loss coming at the hands of Jefferson in the early-season Platte Valley Conference Tournament. Aaron Murphy’s squad returns to action at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 when they travel to Stanberry for a contest with the Lady Bulldogs.
The South Nodaway boys stand at 4-7 on the season going into break. Head coach Dustin Skoglund’s team faces a stern challenge when they return to the court in 2015 at they travel to Stanberry for a 7:30 p.m. game Tuesday, Jan. 5. The undefeated Bulldogs are currently ranked third in the state in the latest MBCA poll.
Head coach Roger Johnson’s West Nodaway Rockets stand at 7-2 at break. The record includes a Northwest Missouri Basketball Tournament championship as well as a second-place finished at the season-opening Mound City Basketball Tournament. The Rockets, who feature senior Trevor Meyer, the returning Maryville Daily Forum boys’ basketball player of the year, return to the court at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 when they play host to the South Page (Iowa) Rebels.
After a winless 2013-14 season, head coach Toshia Jones continues the rebuilding effort with the West Nodaway Lady Rockets, and the squad stands at 0-8 at the holiday break. The Lady Rockets play the South Page (Iowa) Rebels at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5.
