Herington’s Mason Mortensen – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Exchange Bank
By Blake Chadwick After a challenging 7-14 season last year, Herington is looking forward to a strong comeback with senior Mason Mortensen, one of the league’s top-five scorers, at the helm. Mortensen’s leadership and scoring ability are set to guide the team toward a more successful season and brighter days ahead. “I am very honest […]
Sterling’s Boston Ekart – Call of the Wild Athlete of the Month – Presented by Commercial Tire
By Blake Chadwick After scoring almost 12 points per game and grabbing three rebounds per game, Boston Ekart from Sterling has made a statement that he is one of the best athletes in the state. “He obviously has the physical tools that most kids don’t,” head coach Derek Schneider said. “He is long and athletic, […]
Minneapolis’ Maci McClure – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Bank of Tescott and All Smiles Dental Care
By Matt Browning Throughout her career, Maci McClure has played point guard for Minneapolis, but she knows she has to become a better scorer for the Lions. “One area I want to improve on this year is my shooting,” McClure said. “I am a point guard, so I typically run the plays and get the ball […]
Minneapolis’ Owen Just – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Stenfors Farms
By Matt Browning While Minneapolis’ Owen Just averaged nearly 13 points per game last season, there were areas of his offensive game that he was trying to improve over the summer months. “One area I want to improve on personally this year is being able to hit contested shots and be a better free-throw shooter,” […]
Ellsworth’s Lainey Peschka – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Berkeley Capital Management
By Matt Browning Since fifth grade, Lainey Peschka from Ellsworth has played with the same group of players. It has led to cohesion in the Ellsworth program and is one of the main reasons Peschka is excited for the upcoming season. “We have a really talented junior class and we’ve been playing competitively together since […]
Beloit’s Cassandra Thompson – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Thompson’s Ok Tire
By Matt Browning The Beloit girls basketball program has a new coach, Keith Kresin, this season and that has returning starter Cassandra Thompson excited about what that means for the team’s prospects. “I think he is going to really help our whole team get in shape and become the best version of ourselves as players and […]
Beloit High School’s Eli Johnson – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by S&S Drug
By Matt Browning Beloit’s Eli Johnson is ready to take over the lead role this season rather than “just picking up the trash” like he did last year. All-state selection Bryce Beisner graduated for Beloit, so Johnson is ready to roll. “Without Bryce, I’ve had to step up my game and focus on moving without […]
Concordia High School’s Charlize Cash – Salina Area Poll Winner – Presented by WSU Tech
By Blake Chadwick After a 13-9 finish last season, the Concordia Panthers brought back one of their best players in Charlize Cash. As a junior, Cash showcased her all-around talent by averaging 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 4.1 steals per game. Her impressive stats earned her a spot on the all-state team for […]
Salina Area Boys Bowling Spotlight – Nathan Frees from Salina South (Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy)
By Matt Browning There is a balance between competition and fun and Salina South bowler Nathan Frees tried to find that throughout the offseason. I constantly went out with friends to practice together but also have fun at the same time,” Frees said. Now a veteran of Cougar bowling, Frees wants to insure he can […]
Salina Area Girls Bowling Spotlight – Rylee Lambeth from Salina South (Presented by Advanced Physical Therapy)
By Matt Browning While Salina South’s Rylee Lambeth would undoubtedly like to accomplish so much this bowling season, she also just wants to soak in the memories. “I am excited to get the goals I have set but most of all, it being my last season, I am going to enjoy every little bit of […]