AVON BOYS BASKETBALL WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 - 00:00

Alyssa Mathis

Avon Boys Basketball team members are, back row from left: Jaime Pelton, Landon Thury, Al'Shamon Gunter, Trevor Eggers, Lance Odens, Trace Pelton, Aziah Meyer, Jacob Ratzlaff; front row: Grayson Ratzlaff, Paxton Bierema, John Fathke, Noah Watchorn, Landon

The Avon Pirate boys’ basketball team will kick off their 2023-2024 season in an away game against the Corsica-Stickney Jaguars on Tuesday, December 12th at 8:00 p.m. The boys’ head coach this year is Bailey Lagge. This is his fifth year as head coach of the Avon boys’ basketball team. Coach Lagge is assisted this season by Danny Fathke and Lindsey Fathke. Senior team members include Landon Thury, Noah Watchorn, Trace Pelton and Paxton Bierema. Junior team members are Aziah Meyer, Trevor Eggers, John Fathke, Pierce Jonkers, and Landon Mudder. Sophomores are Jacob Ratzlaff, Lance Odens, Al’Shamon Gunter, and Jamie Pelton. Incoming freshmen team members are Grayson Ratzlaff and Braylon Fathke. The Pirates ended last season with a record of 6-15. The team did make it to the second round of regions last season, but lost to Gregory. This season the Pirates are returning four key players Landon Thury, who averaged 14.5 pts/8 rebounds/2 assists and was named to both the Great Plains and Little Missouri Valley All-Conference teams; Noah Watchorn, who averaged 4 pts/4 rebounds/4 assists; Trace Pelton who averaged 7 points and 7 rebounds and Aziah Meyer who averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds. There will be a big hole to fill after the graduating of a two-year starter, but there are many young players looking to improve and take on new roles from last year. The team returns three talented and experienced guards, Thury, Watchorn and Meyer, who can lead the team and help them take the steps in the right direction for post season play. The foundation for the team has been laid by some great upperclassmen, so the team is looking to take a big step forward this year. There are several young players who have invested in the team and who have improved immensely from last season. With the leadership of this year’s upperclassmen and the energy and experience they bring; fans will see a lot of improvement this year. Hopefully the team will be able to use their size and experience to win more games this season. Good luck on your upcoming season Pirates!