Published: November 23, 2009 12:27 am      

WRC teams look to take step forward

WEST LEBANON, Ind. — After an up and down season, the Seeger Patriots are looking to take the next step forward in the Wabash River Conference.

They got out to a 6-0 start, but finished 13-9 under first-year coach Greg Dean.

The Patriots lost leading scorer Alexander Hutson and the rest of their starting five to graduation, but have key contributors Storme Stover, Wally Kerst, and Dylan Market returning. Caleb Collins and Jacob Martin are newcomers expected to see a lot of action.

“Offensively we will be similar to last year,” said Dean. “We want to move the ball up and down the court and be more efficient focusing on good shots each time down. Overall defensively, I think we will be better.”

Dean is expecting progress in his second season as coach.

“The second year is always easier than the first,” he said. “We have less stuff we have to put into the system because the guys already know a lot of it.

“We have had a good week of practice and I am excited about what I have been seeing. The guys have been playing hard, the atmosphere is very positive, and everyone is ready to get going.”

Dean set several goals for the season.

“We want to compete in every game and try and improve each week,” he said. “We want to win the conference and the sectional and to peak in February and March.”

The scheduled Wednesday opener with Clinton Central has been postponed until Jan. 5. The Patriots will now open on Dec. 4 at South Newtown and will play at home on the 5th against Clinton Prairie.

The North Vermilion Falcons return key contributors Jacob Rankin, Zach Jumps, Scott Leigh, Lane Clark and Jacob Harrison from last year’s 4-17 squad.

Coach Mike Ahrens is also looking for Dalton McCool and Ethan Clark to get a lot of minutes.

“All seven of these guys have come along way from last season,” Ahrens said. “Since the end of the 2008-09 season, they played in the spring league at the Danville Boys & Girls Club and a full schedule this past summer. I expect we will be greatly improved from last season.”

The Falcons will be facing a very daunting schedule.

“We only have seven home games all season and our schedule will be very challenging,” Ahrens said. “The WRC will be a very competitive conference and we have a big challenge ahead but we are all looking forward to it.”

The Falcons open on Wednesday at West Vigo.

Also looking to move forward will be the Covington Trojans, who finished 10-11 overall but 5-2 in WRC play.

The Trojans return their starting five of Johnny Brazas, Landon Willis, Clayton Martin, Cyle Knecht, and Nick Paris for coach Kent Chezem, who will also be looking for key contributions from Dalton Keller, Jacob Wright, Dalton Ogle, and Bran Snoddy.

“This team lacks great overall team size, but it has very good overall quickness,” said Chezem. “Our strength will be our perimeter play. Our potential for success will rest on our ability to rebound and to defend the paint.”

The Trojans open at home on Dec. 4th against Fountain Central. The Mustangs finished 5-16 last season under coach Pat Culp.

The Attica Red Ramblers are coming off a 9-12 season under coach Chuck Hutchins and open at home on Tuesday against North White.