HUTCHINSON - Finish the season a stronger team. That was the Blue Knights season long goal said Head Coach Jarod Wannamaker. “We knew coming into the season that we weren’t going to be a top flight team. Most of our boys were 3rd graders and the transition from 8 foot to 10 foot goals was going to hurt,” Wannamaker added. On Jan. 25, the Knights suffered their worst loss at the hands of Team Black, 26-0. “It was a tough loss to swallow, we hadn’t been held scoreless all season until that game, so it stung,” Wannamaker said. The next Saturday, Feb. 1, Blue Knights found themselves facing one the leagues best team in Team Maroon. They were also missing big man Jackson Fluck. Though the finally score showed a 21-6 loss, Wannamaker felt it was a 100% improvement. As the 4th quarter started, defensive pressure from Brady Ollenburger and Julen Wannamaker made it hard for Team Gray to get the ball down court. Jensen added a free throw to make the game 8-6 with less than a minute left. Team Gray was fouled with 8 seconds left, but couldn’t hit the front end of the one-on-one and the Knights pulled down the rebound for the win. “We finished the season a much better team. They started to understand that basketball is a physically tough game. Couldn’t ask for a group of better kids,” Wannamaker concluded. The Blue Knights were Jackson Fluck, JT Hill, Braeden Jensen, Camden Jensen, Brady Ollenburger, Leyton Reneau, Jack Seybert, Jackson Wagner, and Julen Wannamaker. Assistant coaches were Lloyd Jensen and Jeff Wagner. | “Even though the score showed a loss, I was extremely thrilled with the effort and hustle. All the boys played with a spark that we hadn’t seen all season. Defensively, we pressed more, and the boys started to understand. Leyton Reneau and Jackson Wagner started to screen and we were able to dribble drive more effectively.” The final game of the season came against Team Gray, a rematch of a week 2 loss (8-2), on Feb. 8 at HMS 8. Center Braeden Jensen started the scoring off for the Knights with a shot from the lane, and was fouled in the process. He hit his free throw for the traditional 3-pt play. Blue Knight point guard Jack Seybert added a lay up. Team Gray added a bucket to make the score 5-2 after the first. Tough defensive play by Knights JT Hill, Lars Tuxhorn and Camden Jensen kept the Knights on top at half, 5-4. Team Gray struck first in the third with a bucket to take their first lead, 6-5. Seibert proceeded to drive the lane and put the Knights back on top 7-6. |
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