By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

HOISINGTON — With all-league basketball veterans Steffan Dolechek and Chris Wright returning, the Hoisington Cardinals expect to make an impact in the Central Kansas League.
The Cardinals finished 8-13 overall and 3-8 in CKL play under head coach Kyle Haxton. Norton defeated Hoisington in the first round of Class 3A substate last season.
Second-team All-CKL Dolechek averaged 13.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.8 spg. CKL honorable mention Wright averaged 10.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 1.6 apg.
“We should be very experienced.  We return our top two leading scorers, Steffan Dolechek and Chris Wright.  Steffan and Chris will need to contribute even more. Steffan has a great ability to get to the basket to score and create for teammates along with defending relentlessly. Steffan has spent time working on his range and shooting ability. I look for Chris Wright to really step up his game this year as a big scorer with an inside/outside game.”
Tyler Specht (4.7 ppg), Corbin Crawford (2.5 ppg), Grant Dolechek (2.7 ppg), Ryan Broeder (2.3 ppg) and Cameron Davis (1.4 ppg) gained valuable varsity experience last year. Brenner Donovan and Kyle Lang will also contribute.
“Ryan Broeder will be expected to play inside and out this year as well.  He is one of the team’s best shooters,” Haxton said. “We were a solid defensive team a year ago, but our success in the upcoming season will greatly depend on our offensive decision-making and shooting percentage.”
Haxton said the veterans improved their skills in the off-season.
“Our team played a lot of basketball over the summer and has continued to work on their passing, shooting, and execution.  We hope to see their hard work transfer to the court this season. “
HOISINGTON CARDINALS
Class 3A
Conference—Central
Kansas League
Head coach—Kyle Haxton
Years at school—8th year
(84-68)
Record 2014-2015—8-13
(3-8 CKL)

ROSTER
Steffan Dolechek, 6-1, G, sr. 13 ppg, 2.5 apg; Christopher Wright, 6-3, F, sr. 11 ppg, 6.4 rpg; Ryan Broeder, 6-2, G, sr. 2.3 ppg: Matt Mettling, 6-3, sr.;  Corbin Crawford, 5-10, G, jr., 2.5 ppg; Cameron Davis, 6-1, jr., 1.4 ppg; Grant Dolechek, 6-0, F, jr., 2.7 ppg; Brenner Donovan, 6-1, jr.; Cameron Knapp, 6-0, jr.; Kyle Lang, 5-11, jr.; Michael MacMahon, 6-2, jr.; Matt Miller, 5-11, jr.; Tyler Specht, 5-11, G, jr., 4.7 ppg; Nathan Nickerson, 5-11, so.; Tommy Potter, 6-0, so.; Isaac Prosser, 5-9, so.; Eric Barrett, 5-10, so.; Derek Boxberger, 5-4, fr.; Xavier Robinson, 5-8, fr.; Trevor Kaiser, 5-8, fr.; Braxton Donovan, 5-7, fr.; Jason Bradley, 5-8, fr.; Braden Konzem, 5-11, fr.

SCHEDULE
12-5—at Central Plains
12-7—Ellinwood, Gene Keady Classic, Larned
12-10-12—Gene Keady Classic, Larned
12-17—PRATT
1-5—at Pratt
1-8—at Haven
1-12—STERLING
1-15—at Nickerson
1-18-23—CARDINAL WINTER JAM
1-26—RUSSELL
2-2—SMOKY VALLEY
2-5—KINGMAN
2-9—at Hillsboro
2-12—LYONS
2-16—HESSTON
2-19—at Halstead
2-23—LARNED
2-29 to 3-5—at Norton 3A substate