CUTLINE
The 2025-2026 Otis-Bison boys basketball team features front row—Aiden Ochs/Lohrey (10); Kolten Cory (11); Dylan Richardson (3); Daniel Chapman (2); Maddox Firebaugh (1); Marcus Starr (20); back row—Seth Richardson (14); Louis McVey (24); Kelson Juno (25); Konner Schenk (30); Gavin Alloway (5).
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
OTIS — Slow but steady. The Otis-Bison Cougars boys basketball team (9-12, 5-4 CPL) has improved by seven wins the past two seasons. Hutchinson Central Christian downed the Cougars 58-49 in postseason play last year.
Kelson Juno (11 ppg, 6.5 rpg). Louis McVey (9 ppg), Aiden Ochs-Lohrey (7 ppg) join Seth Richardson (3.5 ppg), Gavin Alloway (3 ppg) and Kolten Cory (3 ppg).
Otis-Bison basketball coach Curtis Little likes his team's inside/outside offensive balance.
"We can play through the post," he said. "We have guys who can score from the elbow and block. This is the best 3-point shooting team we've had. When things get clogged inside that's an extra element that we can depend on
Kelson Juno provide valuable varsity experience. Guards Louis McVey and Gavin Alloway will play on the wings. Aiden Ochs/ Lohrey is a promising sophomore.
"Kelson Juno, Gavin Alloway and Louis McVey have done a great job in leadership roles," Little said. "Their skill level and basketball intelligence is better. Aiden Ochs-Lohrey will be a huge piece of our team after Christmas. He's continued growth as a defender and learned to score in the pain. Kolten Cory has been a great surprise. He's continued to develop his skills.
“Kelson Juno has played well inside, and he’ll add guard duties this season," said Little. "Louis McVey and Gavin Alloway have ability to be plus defenders. They’ve improved their shooting and ballhandling. Aiden plays with intensity and can score."
The Cougars plan to expand their defensive game because of experience and depth.
“On defense, we'll bounce between man and zone depending on match-ups," Little said. "We have excellent man defenders. We’ll ratchet up defensive pressure when we play man and zone Our athletes can get into passing lanes and give us extra transition opportunities. Our upperclassmen should do a good job getting us the shots we want.”
The Cougars expect to compete favorably in the Central Prairie League.
"We return a lot of experience," he said. "When healthy, we can compete in the top half of our league. We excited about that extra challenge of the Central Prairie League tournament this year."
COUGAR ROSTER
SENIORS—5—Gavin Alloway, 5-9, G (3 ppg); 14—Seth Richardson, 5-10, SG/PG (3.5 ppg); 24—Louis McVey, 6-0, G (9 ppg, 4 rpg); 25—Kelson Juno, 6-3, F (11 ppg, 6.5 rpg); 30—Konner Schenk, 6-2, C
JUNIORS—1—Maddox Firebaugh, 5-5, G (2 ppg)
SOPHOMORES—10—Aiden Ochs/Lohrey, 6-1, G (7 ppg); 11—Kolten Cory, 6-2, F (3 ppg); 20—Marcus Starr, 5-10, F (2 ppg)
NINTH-GRADERS—2—Daniel Chapman; 3—Dylan Richardson
OTIS-BISON SCHEDULE—12-2—at Tescott; 12-4—at Natoma; 12-9 to 12-12—at Fairfield Classic; 12-16—*at Ness City; 12-19—at La Crosse; 1-6—at Stafford; 1-9—*Victoria; 1-13—*at Kinsley; 1-16—*La Crosse; 1-20—at Wheatland-Grinnell; 1-27—at Dighton; 1-30—*St. John; 2-3—*Central Plains; 2-6—*Chase; 2-9 to 2-13—Central Prairie at Kinsley; 2-16—Pawnee Heights; 2-20—*at Ellinwood
Cougar girls will play faster pace
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
OTIS — The Otis-Bison Cougar girls basketball team edged Weskan 61-58 in a thriller before losing 67-27 to Wallace County in 1A postseason play.
Lily Schwindt (6-1) and Allie Smith (6-0) provide height that's needed for the Cougars. Allie Smith (4.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2 spg, 1.5 apg) headlines the Cougars. Grace Smith (2 ppg), Jade Holman (1.5 ppg) and Shaelyn Richmeier (1 ppg) return.
Otis-Bison basketball coach Stephanee Juno wants to play an up-tempo play and mix zone and man defenses.
"We want a mindset that our defense creates offense," she said. "We'll have good bench depth, so we can always have fresh legs. Our goal is to compete every game and minimize turnovers. We want to play our game and dictate how we play."
The Cougars averaged 30 ppg, but graduated 20 ppg. The Cougars (8-14, 2-6 CPL) had improved six wins the prior year.
"We'll take it one game at a time and our goal will be to progress every game and peak at the end of the season," Juno said."Our league is always competitive. Our first week of practice has looked promising. Obviously we want to go as far as we can in the post-season.
Juno gave a brief scouting report on her players.
Grace Smith is the team's leader who performed with improved offensive confidence as the season progressed.
Leading rebounder Allie Smith is the Cougars' best inside presence offensively who improved down the stretch.
Marissa Pechanec plays a physical and aggressive style. Ballhandler Jade Holman sees the court and creates shots for teammates. Brooklyn Roth is a solid defensive player who is a good shooter.
Lilly Schwindt is an inside presence. Rowyn Juno is aggressive on offense who plays inside and outside. Caitlin Ficken offers quickness and ballhandling with quality court vision. Brooke Elsen has a solid work ethic.
Shaylyn Richmeier is sidelined for the season due to a volleyball injury.
COUGAR ROSTER
SENIOR—20—Grace Smith, 5-3 (2 ppg, 2 spg, 1 apg)
JUNIORS—10—Marissa Pechanec, 5-2; 14—Lily Schwindt, 6-1
SOPHOMORES—1—Jade Holman, 5-3 (1.5 ppg); 5—Shaelyn Richmeier, 5-7 (1 ppg); 11—Brooklyn Roth, 5-3; 15—Allie Smith, 6-0 (4.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2 spg, 1.5 apg)
NINTH-GRADERS—2—Brooke Elsen, 5-5; 3—Caitlin Ficken, 5-6; 21—Rowyn Juno, 5-7
OTIS-BISON SCHEDULE—12-2—at Tescott; 12-4—at Natoma; 12-9 to 12-12—at Fairfield Classic; 12-16—*at Ness City; 12-19—at La Crosse; 1-6—at Stafford; 1-9—*Victoria; 1-13—*at Kinsley; 1-16—*La Crosse; 1-20—at Wheatland-Grinnell; 1-27—at Dighton; 1-30—*St. John; 2-3—*Central Plains; 2-6—*Chase; 2-9 to 2-13—Central Prairie at Kinsley; 2-16—Pawnee Heights; 2-20—*at Ellinwood
CUTLINE
The 2025-2026 Otis-Bison girls basketball team features front row—Kaitlyn Ficken (3); Marissa Pechanec (10); Grace Smith (20); Brooklyn Roth (11); Jade Holman (1); back row—coach Stan Ewy; Shaelyn Richmeier (5); Brooke Elsen (2); Allie Smith (15); Lily Schwindt (14); Rowyn Juno (21); head coach Stephanee Juno
