Junior High boys short on numbers

The Junior High boy’s basketball program is short on numbers and thus, resulted in short on wins this past season. “We take 13 players combined to the games,” said Coach Dane Wurdeman. “The 7th graders are having a hard time scoring and taking care of the ball. Lack of experience is showing, but they got better through the season,” Wurdeman said.

Wurdeman praised the play of Thomas Muldoon. “Thomas is the leader on the team at point guard. He passes the ball well and gets the team into our offense. Azael Floes has also been a standout for the 8th grade. He provides points as well as rebounds. Cole Heim has played great defense and has been a pleasant surprise in scoring, as well,” said Wurdeman.

In looking back at the season, the 7th grade lost to Burns 43-4 and the 8th grade lost 36-10. Flores and Brayden Schildhauer had 4 points each and Muldoon 2.

Against Morrill, the 7th grade lost 7-2 with James McGinnis scoring Kimball’s basket. Kimball won the 8th grade contest 31-26 with Heim and Muldoon high with 10 each, Damian Barker had 5, Flores 4 and Schildhauer 1.

In the 7th grade game against the Gering B squad, Kimball lost 45-2 with Chris McCoskey scoring for Kimball. Kimball won the 8th grade game 33-15 with Muldoon high with 11, Heim 7, Barker 6, Schildhauer 5 and Flores 4.

Wurdeman said the 7th grade played one of their best games in a 26-12 loss to Bridgeport. Matthew Johnson, McCloskey and Justin Klosterman all scored and Trey Schindler was praised for his defense and rebounding. “The 8th grade lost to a really good Bridgeport team,” Wurdeman said. Kimball scored only 5 points, all in the first quarter, with Flores scoring 4 and Muldoon 1.

Kimball’s 7th grade lost to Sidney 22-11, with Johnson scoring 6, McCoskey and McGinnis 2 each and Klosterman 1. Kyle Frazer was singled out for his defense. In what was termed a “Great Game”, the 8th grade lost to Sidney 32-29. Muldoon had 15 points, Flores 10 and Barker 2. “This was a great game and we were so proud to watch our kids almost win on a ‘come back’ effort,” said Wurdeman.

Kimball finished out the season with Pine Bluffs, with the 7th grade losing 33-16. McCloskey led with 11 points and had an overall good game. Johnson had 4, as did Schindler. The 8th grade team lost to Pine 51-10. “Once again, we faced a nice team from Pine Bluffs that pressured us the entire court. With lack of subs, our boys got tired and were unable to score.” Muldoon had 6 and Schindler and Flores 2 each.

Wurdeman said “Our kids got better and played hard each game. They need to get a basketball in their hands this summer and things will get better for them.”