Bridgewater-Emery Transitions into Basketball
By Sydney Hoffman on November 29, 2017
Volleyball and football have come to an end, which means that the hoops are being lowered, the laces are being tied tight and the basketballs are coming out. Winter time means it’s basketball season for the Bridgewater-Emery boys and girls.
After last year’s undefeated state championship win for the boys, the returning varsity players are ready to come back just as hard. While losing seniors Sam Arend, Cade Schmitt and Colton Plagmann, returning varsity members Jamin Arend, Sawyer Schultz and Cole Gassman are ready to dress again this year. However, Cole Gassman will be out for most of the season due to his ACL tear from football earlier in the fall.
“We need some help from the bench to fill the positions that the seniors left last year in hopes of developing that same leadership. We have to work hard as a team to compete with the other tough teams in our region,” boys’ basketball coach Scott Schultz said.
As for the girls’ basketball team, they also had three senior players graduate from last year’s season including Kadra Kayser, Hannah Harberts and Miah Schallenkamp. Returning starters include Abbi Arend, Tessa Burnham and Jada Wethor. More experienced, varsity players returning to the court include Kennedee and Julia Weber. With no senior girls on the court this year, the junior class will have to step up.
“The junior girls are more than capable of stepping into the leadership role. Abbi has started for the past two years, and Tessa and Jada have for one year; they have the experience. During the off season, they already took on the role of getting the younger girls together and in the gym learning to play with one another,” girls’ basketball coach Jessie VanLeur said.
The boys’ first basketball game will be Dec. 11 at the Dell St. Mary’s School. The girls’ first basketball game will be Dec. 8 at Plankinton against the MVP Titans.
After last year’s undefeated state championship win for the boys, the returning varsity players are ready to come back just as hard. While losing seniors Sam Arend, Cade Schmitt and Colton Plagmann, returning varsity members Jamin Arend, Sawyer Schultz and Cole Gassman are ready to dress again this year. However, Cole Gassman will be out for most of the season due to his ACL tear from football earlier in the fall.
“We need some help from the bench to fill the positions that the seniors left last year in hopes of developing that same leadership. We have to work hard as a team to compete with the other tough teams in our region,” boys’ basketball coach Scott Schultz said.
As for the girls’ basketball team, they also had three senior players graduate from last year’s season including Kadra Kayser, Hannah Harberts and Miah Schallenkamp. Returning starters include Abbi Arend, Tessa Burnham and Jada Wethor. More experienced, varsity players returning to the court include Kennedee and Julia Weber. With no senior girls on the court this year, the junior class will have to step up.
“The junior girls are more than capable of stepping into the leadership role. Abbi has started for the past two years, and Tessa and Jada have for one year; they have the experience. During the off season, they already took on the role of getting the younger girls together and in the gym learning to play with one another,” girls’ basketball coach Jessie VanLeur said.
The boys’ first basketball game will be Dec. 11 at the Dell St. Mary’s School. The girls’ first basketball game will be Dec. 8 at Plankinton against the MVP Titans.
