Boys basketball
By KARL ZINKE
karl.zinke@examiner.net
The Truman boys – after losing several important cogs off of last season’s team – might be considered a longshot to return to the state semifinals.
Gone is all-state 6-foot-9 center Steve Moore, and guard Nathan Martin moved to the north side of Independence and will play at rival William Chrisman.
But that’s not to say the Patriots are lacking in talented players. Three important players return from last year’s magical run that ended in a 20-10 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament.
James Hosey, a 6-2 junior guard, and Tyler Sevy, a 6-5 senior forward/post, will be counted on to lead the Patriots this season after playing key roles last year, and sophomore Darrien Harris will move into the full-time point guard spot after showing flashes of brilliance as a freshman.
But it will look slightly different on the court, coach Billy Guinnee said. Instead of being an intimidating presence inside, the Patriots will have to rely more on their quickness and shooting.
“With the players we lost to graduation and for other reasons, we had to adapt our style of play to the type of players we have,” Guinnee said. “While we have lost quite a bit of size, we also gained quickness and shooting, and I think that will be reflected offensively and defensively.
“I don’t think it will be a big adjustment, because I think that our offensive and defensive game plans are a natural fit for the talents of our players.”
Sevy is expected to become more of leader this season after learning from his friend, a current University of Missouri freshman.
“Tyler benefited, as any player would, by playing along side Steven,” Guinnee said. “Now, he has to be our big man. It’s crucial that he set an example and a tone of not only how to play in games but how to practice the right way. He is a senior with the most experience, and our fortunes could ride on how he handles his responsibilities as a leader on this team.”
Hosey looks to sustain the momentum he gained with his exceptional play in the playoffs.
“James was one of the biggest reasons that we reached the final four last year,” Guinnee said. “Now, he must not only pick up where he left off, but he has to raise his game to another level. My expectations of him this year are equal to those that I had for (former Truman all-state guard) Edriss Floyd. He is a great shooter and penetrator and his job is going to be to run our offense.”
With Martin gone, Harris will play a larger role.
“Darrien has improved tremendously over the summer and fall,” Guinnee said. “He provides us with another player who can get to the basket but now has to be respected as an outside threat. He’s also made great strides in terms of his judgment on when to shoot and when to pass. He will be a great partner with James.”
The other two starting spots are up for grabs between five varsity newcomers, senior Curtis Williams, juniors Steven Wilson and Brandon Richards and freshmen Zach Large and Antonio Winn.
Girls basketball
By KARL ZINKE
karl.zinke@examiner.net
Despite a couple of key losses, Truman girls coach Pete Hile thinks his team has a chance to defend its Suburban Big Six title.
Only it will be a lot tougher this year.
“Any time you come back with a conference championship everybody is going to try to knock you off. And this conference is as balanced as I remember seeing it.
“Our schedule is extremely hard this year.”
In addition Park Hill and Park Hill South, the Patriots get an improved William Chrisman twice this year. They also will play area powers Blue Springs, Blue Springs South, Hickman Mills, North Kansas City and a tough field in the Lee’s Summit North Invitational.
“We play a who’s who in the Kansas City area,” Hile said.
Fortunately for him, he has six players returning from his 18-8 team that went 9-1 in the league. Senior Jayme Smith will again handle the point.
“We’re expecting her to provide floor leadership this year,” Hile said. “She’s a good outside shooter and sees the floor well, and her decision making continues to improve.”
Cousins Kassidy and Kalli Ritchel will man the front court with Kelsey Quirarte.
“Kassidy is a real special player. She’s really worked on her shooting and ball handling,” Hile said. “Kalli has had some back problems. If we can keep her healthy it will be a big plus. We’ll rely on Kelsey to spell people on the post and play the wing, and she can handle both.”
Sophomore Becca Strobbe and senior Cassie Eggers also will see time at guard. Roetta Kraemer will fill in at post. There’s not much depth, but Hile said his team is versatile.
“We’ll need it because our depth will be a shortcoming,” Hile said. “But we’ve got a good nucleus of kids from last year, so I’m optimistic.”
Wrestling
By JASON TARWATER
jason.tarwater@examiner.net
Despite losing three state qualifiers, Truman’s wrestling team could have more depth than in years past.
And a lot of that has to do with the valuable experience the Patriots’ young wrestlers received last season.
“We started eight sophomores on varsity,” Truman coach Steve McGee said. “We’re really hoping those guys step up and do well this year.’
Langdon Wheeler (135 pounds) returns from his first trip to state. Wheeler, a senior, was able to win a match at state.
McGee said he expects his lower weights to be the strength of his team, as 103-pounder Darring White and 112-pounder A.J. Jones also returns.
In addition, Will Hegarty is back for his senior year. Hegarty has been one of Truman’s top wrestlers throughout his career, but has been unable to break through to state.
The Suburban Big Six has also gotten tougher this year, as perennial state champion Oak Park has moved down from the Suburban Big Seven to go along with Class 4 preseason favorite Park Hill.
“We’d like to try to catch Oak Park,” McGee said. “We don’t know how we’d match up. Park Hill – I don’t think we can catch them. I’d like to, it would be awesome, but it would be really tough. Even with Oak Park, if things fall one way, we could lose all the matches.”
Girls Swimming
By JASON TARWATER
jason.tarwater@examiner.net
For the first time in many years, Truman returns a state swimming qualifier.
Last year, diver Elissa Caudell returned from an all-state season.
But this year, Kara Schoneboom returns after qualifying for state in the 50 freestyle last year.
“It’s great having a sophomore going in with that experience of being at state,” Truman coach Trevor Tomney said. “She’s set her goals high already, wanting to qualify in the 50 and 100 freestyle. She also wants to try the breaststroke this year.”
Tomney said the Patriots, who feature a young, inexperienced lineup this year, will rely on Schoneboom a lot.
“It’s been a while with the girls where somene came back after state,” he said. “Usually they qualify as a senior. Now we have someone who can hopefully have three more years of that experience. It’s great for the team to look up to her and that she has had that experience.”
Outside of Schoneboom, the Patriots do not have much experience.
Erin Agut is back and is a club swimmer in the offseason.
But outside of that Tomney’s team is going to be a work in progress throughout the season.
“There are a lot of unknowns,” he said. “There will be a lot of rebuilding. Our focus is trying to get more kids involved. You hate to use the term ‘rebuilding year,’ but it is definitely a rebuilding year for us.”
Truman will be competing in a more wide-open Suburban Big Six this season.
Though Park Hill and Park Hill South should be considered the favorites, the rest of the conference seems to be up in the air, with Winnetonka, Oak Park, Truman and William Chrisman.
