Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The Potter-Dix Coyotes are ready to take on some tough competition in their 2017/18 season. Pictured above, front row, from left are Zach Rotert (manager), Preston Corfield, Gage Soucie, Donnie Moench, Izaak Glanz, Brandon Mendoza, Jaden Lee, Shawn Waggoner and Karter Wittrock (manager). Back row, from left, are Grant Hickman, JT Herboldsheimer, Terell Gray, Dylan Nielsen, Sheign Krafczik, Tai Rogge and Luke Kasten (manager).
Head Coach of the Potter-Dix Coyotes, Ryan Mumm is excited to have four returning starters this season, all returning letter winners as well: Seniors JT Herboldsheimer at Guard, Connor Williams at Guard, All-Conference Honorable Mention Dylan Nielsen at Guard/Forward, and Sophomore returning starter Terell Gray at Forward for the Coyotes.
Mumm finished last season with a 2-18 record and a small, young team, but the experience the season provided should be valuable, according to Mumm.
"Our team struggled last year, we didn't have a much depth, sometimes suiting up 6 or 7 for a game. We also lacked experience, sometimes starting two freshmen. With that year of experience, I expect our sophomores to be much better prepared for varsity action," he said. "We return a solid core of three seniors, who gained valuable experience last year as well. I look to those three to shoulder the load and lead the team this season."
For the returning starters for Potter-Dix, Herboldsheimer was averaging 1 point with 2 rebounds per game, Nielsen 10 points, along with five rebounds per game, Williams five points and 3 rebounds per game, and Gray averaging 2 points and three boards per game before the season kicked off last weekend in Kimball.
A new addition to the team this year is junior Grant Hickman, playing at Guard and Forward, Hickman transferred from Kimball earlier this fall.
"Potter-Dix has a lot of very good teams on our schedule, during the month of December including a game in Paxton, a team that's well coached and always tough," said Mumm. The Coyotes will be finishing off the month with Caliche, Colo.
Looking forward into January, Potter-Dix will host Kimball and will play their Conference Tournament. February back-to-back games are on tap to play Garden County followed the next night with Sedgwick County.
"Both of those teams are very deep and disciplined," added Mumm.
In the Coyote's sub-district, Garden County is the team to beat, the Eagles qualified for State last season, and didn't lose many seniors from last year's team.
"The other teams in the D2-11 will be young and developing as the season progresses," Mumm added.
Looking into D2-12 action, Mumm believes Crawford will be tough for any team to play. The Rams had an excellent season last year with their loss coming in the district championship to Garden County.
"It took us longer than I would have liked last season to find our roles on the team; this year I look for the team to step into those roles from the get-go. One positive from last season was the improvement from November to February. The scoreboard didn't necessarily reflect the level of improvement, but I was pleased that our program was moving in the right direction," Mumm said. "If we can have a couple players step up and provide some needed depth, I anticipate we will be much more competitive in our games with the goal of advancing in the conference tournament and sub-districts."
Good luck to the Potter-Dix Coyotes this season and stay tuned for more game coverage to come!
