Raytown winter previews

Boys Basketball
By SHAWN RONEY
The Examiner

Despite Raytown’s recent run of success, coach Mark Scanlon isn’t expecting another state quarterfinal appearance.
A district title, however, seems within reach.
With Josh Gibbs as the only returning starter, the Blue Jays are starting over “in some sense,” Scanlon said.
It’s a contrast to the past three seasons.
Anchored by key returning players, the Blue Jays went 71-9, including 27-1 last season, when they reached the Class 5 quarterfinals before losing their only game.
“Our goal is to improve and get better each game … to where, at the end of year, we’re one of the better teams,” Scanlon said.
No doubt, Scanlon will count on Gibbs to help Raytown meet those goals. The 6-foot-5 senior has the potential to “be one of the players in the area, if not in the state,” according to Scanlon.
“He’s (a) big, strong kid,” Scanlon said. “But he’s (also) very athletic. (He) moves well, jumps pretty well. He has really good court sense, which you can’t really teach. He has a lot of (good) natural instincts.”
Scanlon also will count on returning reserves Jordan Hopkins and Frank Williams. Listed at 6-2 and 6-5, respectively, the junior guards/forwards “are two talented players who could come on this year,” he said.
“Some of the kids that played JV have worked hard, and I expect a lot of good things out of them, too,” Scanlon added.
Scanlon is already seeing signs that the Blue Jays will meet his expectation. He’s impressed with their quality of character, sense of team unity and work ethic.
“They’re working really hard,” he said. “By the end of the year, I think we’ll surprise some people.”

Girls Basketball
By SHAWN RONEY
The Examiner

Jan Handley got his wish.
The Raytown girls basketball coach wanted a tougher non-conference schedule this season. And partly through his influence, “we have really, I think, beefed up our schedule,” he said.
Raytown will open with three straight road games against Blue Springs South, St. Joseph Benton and Lee’s Summit, in keeping with Handley’s desire to play larger non-conference schools.
Raytown’s other non-conference opponents will include Truman and Hickman Mills. Truman’s size “will be a real challenge for us,” according to Handley. And Hickman Mills has consistently produced winning teams over the past few seasons.
“I said (to our girls), ‘This is going to be an extremely tough schedule,’ ” Handley said. “But that’s not something I shy (away from). I don’t think we get any better by playing teams that we’re going to be beat by 30 or 40 points.”
In addition, Raytown will play in the competitive Shawnee Mission (Kan.) South Tournament.
“I’ve heard that there’s going to be a possible four teams in there that have been state champions,” Handley said. “It’ll be a real test for us.”
However, there was one test Handley wanted for Raytown that he couldn’t get on the schedule: the annual Hy-Vee Shootout at Avila University. Handley felt that the Blue Jays “were a good enough team to be a part of that this year.”
Not getting chosen “was kind of disappointing” to Handley. Still, he sees the omission as a motivator for his players.
“They want to gain a certain amount of respect,” he said. “And I think they believe that they can be a good team this year.”
With the Blue Jays returning everyone from last season’s 21-5 team, they have high expectations of reaching the state tournament, Handley stated.
For that to happen, they must play their best every game.
“If we do that, I think we’ve got a great chance,” he said.

Wrestling
By JASON TARWATER
jason.tarwater@examiner.net

When Raytown’s lineup is whole, new coach Kelly Lepert is expecting good things.
Currently, the Blue Jays are without heavyweight Mikhail Fetterolf, who qualified for state in 2007.
“We’re hoping to get him back in late December, maybe eary January,” Lepert said.
In addition to Fetterolf, Lepert sees several Blue Jays who he thinks can possibly get to the state tournament this year.
The list starts with Kenya Woods and Johnny Thomas, who both went to state last season.
“I think those guys have a definite shot,” he said. “And if we can get another guy or two in there, it will be awesome.”
Lepert also said there are several wrestlers who have been working out in the offseason, who he said could make a big impact.
One newcomer who could make a big impression is Nick Woodall, a transfer from Kearney. Lepert said he has been looking good at 112 pounds so far.
As a new coach, Lepert still isn’t 100 percent sure of what he has in the wrestling room. He’s also not 100 percent certain of what kind of comp0etition the Blue Jays will see in the conference or in the district.
“I haven’t looked at it,” he said. “With our Blue/White dual and then Park Hill South, I’ve been gearing up for those events.”
But he said he hopes to get at least three wrestlers to state.
“I’m shooting for three,” he said. “That seems to be my safety number. Hopefully we can sneak one or two extra in. If we don’t get three I’ll be disappointed. Anything over that is a bonus.”

Girls Swimming
Raytown’s girls swimming coach did not submit preview information