BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — Hoisington's first-team All Central Kansas League Mason Martin (15 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg) provides the Cardinals with a reliable basketball leader.
Sterling College graduate Kyle Haxton enters his 17th year (196-170). Hoisington (12-10, 4-4 CKL) downed Russell and after losing to state qualifier Lakin 70-40 in the 3A substate semifinals. .
"We return our leading scorer and rebounder Mason Martin," Haxton said. "He's capable of having better stat lines this season. I'm excited to see who will step up and help us be more effective offensively."
The Cardinals' first challenge will be overcoming a late basketball start due to the success of the Cardinal football team.
Other key players with experience will be seniors, Marcus Ingram, Carson Mason and Carrson BroKar and juniors, Kobe Crawford, Kaidenn Chambers, Brody Pfannenstiel, Logan Cossel, Drew Hekele, and Karson Kinman.
"We will lean on our upperclassmen gearing up for the upcoming season," Haxton said. "We finished last season strong with a good stretch against quality opponents. We beat Pratt, which played in the 4A state basketball tournament. We fell short to Hesston, the 3A state basketball champion."
Haxton's strength is coaching an effective defensive mindset after yielding 43 ppg last season.
"We'll hang on hat on playing tough on the defensive side," he said. "Our team does a nice job of adjusting what we do defensively based on the strengths of our opponents."
Haxton believes the addition of the 6-4 Pfannenstiel provides an inside presence that will help.
"We will have more size this year, and I look forward to seeing us develop as an offensive threat as well," Haxton said. 'We will have a number of returners with the ability to have big scoring nights. We have guys returning that are effective distributing the ball. This could fall on the shoulders of any of the players in our top 11 or 12."
Haxton targets Marcus Ingram and Carson Mason as players who will step up their offensive effectiveness.
"Ingram and Mason will step into bigger scoring roles along with getting others involved," he said. "I look forward to watching them compete as we figure out our roles. As always, we will emphasize playing with discipline and toughness. I expect us to compete to finish in the top half of our league. We'll be a tough opponent for any team when post-season rolls around."
CARDINAL BOYS
SENIORS—1—Carson Mason, 5-7, G (2 ppg); 2—Marcus Ingram, 5-10, G (3 ppg, 2 rpg); 4—Mason Martin, 6-1, G (15 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg); 20—Carrson BroKar, 6-2, G (Kinsley transfer)
JUNIORS—0—Drew Hekele, 6-3, F; 3—Logan Cossell, 5-11, G; 5—Kobe Crawford, 6-1, G (1 ppg); 11—Brody Pfannenstiel, 6-4, PF (Russell transfer); 12—Kaidenn Chambers, 5-11, G; 30—Ryker Stout, 5-8; 31—Lucas Hanzlick, 6-0
SOPHOMORES—10—Leighton Britt, 5-9; 14—Reece Galla, 5-8, G; 15—Zander Mooney, 5-9, G; 24—Joey Valentino, 6-3, F; 32—Mikkel Brunson, 5-2, G
NINTH-GRADERS—21—Liam Stone, 5-3, G; 22—Bryson Kinman, 5-5, G; 25—Dexter Klug, 5-9; 33—Aiden Wohlford, 5-9; 34—Drake Gruis, 6-4, C; 35—Adler Wilkens, 5-7; 43—Easton Elmore, 5-5; 45—Hunter Trower, 5-7
CARDINAL SCHEDULE—12-6—at Scott City; 12-9 to 12-13—at Larned Keady Classic; 12-16—at Sterling; 1-2—Russell; 1-6—Smoky Valley; 1-9—Beloit; 1-13—*at Hesston; 1-16—*Pratt; 1-20 to 1-24—Hoisington Winter Jam; 1-27—at Phillipsburg; 1-30—at Ell-Saline; 2-3—*at Smoky Valley; 2-6—at Ellinwood; 2-10—*Haven; 2-13—*at Nickerson; 2-17—*Hillsboro; 2-20—*Larned; 2-24—*at Halstead
