Wildcats take the good with the bad HAYDEN BOYS

"Instead of nine guys who can play, we'll have only six or seven ... to start the season with."

--- CHRIS HANSEN, Hayden boys' coach

By KEN CLARK

The Capital-Journal

It's the perfect recipe for a bittersweet basketball season. The sweet is that four of the Wildcats five returning letterwinners played on their 8-2 football team. The bitter is that two of the returning letterwinners and a third player are suffering from football injuries that have kept them from preseason practices.

Although the team is not at a hundred percent, preseason practices are going as well as Wildcat coach Chris Hansen can expect.

"We have some experienced players back this year, and that really helps us. However, three of our top nine players have injuries and still haven't practiced," said Hansen.

"This will affect our depth. Instead of nine guys who can play, we'll have only six or seven, probably seven, to start the season with," Hansen added.

The players that Hansen has not been able to practice include 6-1 guard Micheal Everett, out with a back injury, and 6-foot guard Jarad Head, who underwent arthoscopic knee surgery but is expected to be able to practice this week. A third player, reserve Aaron Freeman, sustained an injury to his foot.

It remains uncertain when Everett and Freeman will be able to join the team.

Yet, in spite of not being to suite up as many players as he would like for the season opener against Sebetha on Dec. 7, Hansen remains optimistic about this years basketball season.

"In terms of what we can control, we've had a good preseason. Obviously, those things we can't control will have an adverse effect on us," Hansen said.

"Obviously this is not the ideal, but our healthy players are working well and we're getting our stuff in place," he added.

Aside from Everett and Head, the other returning lettermen to the Wildcat lineup include 6-2 forward John Hoytal, 6-foot guard David Nimz and 6-4 forward Taylor Hill.

The success of the Wildcats this year will depend on how soon the younger players will be able to step into their rolls on the team.

"We have four young players, Corey Minke, Joseph Hennes, Jesse Tetuan and Aaron Freeman, that will have to grow into their rolls," Hansen said.

"We have to find ways to compete against opponents with superior size," he added.

Coach ---Chris Hansen (3rd season).

1998-99 record --- 11-11 overall, 2-8 in Centennial League.

Returning starters --- John Hoytal, sr., forward; Michael Everett, sr., guard; Jerad Head, jr., guard.

SCHEDULE

December --- 7 Sabetha, 10 Atchison, 11 at Concordia, 14 Baldwin, 17 at Seaman.

January --- 4 at Topeka West, 7 Shawnee Heights, 11 at Washburn Rural, 14 Emporia, 20-22 Gear for Sports Classic, 25 Clay Center, 28 at Highland Park.

February --- 1 Abilene, 4 Washburn Rural, 11 Seaman, 15 at Shawnee Heights, 18 at Emporia, 25 Highland Park.

Copyright 1999
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