and took second in the Lincoln Trail Conference.
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Prairie News
Steps forward. That’s what Dustin Browning saw from this year’s Stark County boys basketball team.
While the Rebels (17-16) did not win a regional title, they did win a regional game for the first time since 2011 and improved on several areas that Browning said should pay dividends in seasons to come.
“I’m really proud of our guys this season. Took a big step forward in terms of culture, in that our seniors leave with the program better than when they came,” Browning said. “That is something they can be really proud of when they look back on this season.”
Stark County finished the year with a 57-34 loss to Monmouth United on Feb. 23 in the semifinals of the Wethersfield Regional.
The Rebels fell behind 35-19 by halftime and could not make up ground in the final two quarters. Luke Rewerts led Stark County with 18 points, while Daniel Kieser scored 8, Ethan Unhold scored 3 and Joey Harmon, James Groter and Arvid Steudte each had 2 points.
“Had trouble containing [Cormaic] Flynn on the boards and they pushed the ball well with some transition baskets,” Browning said.
Abel Wilson had 20 points against Stark County and Flynn added 16.
United (25-6) went on to beat Ridgewood, 44-42, for the Wethersfield Class 1A regional championship and was to play Augusta Southeastern (28-4) Wednesday in the semifinal of the Abingdon-Avon Sectional. Flynn had 24 points in the regional final.
After breaking the .500 mark, Browning said he looks ahead with optimism.
“In terms of the future, we hope that the underclassmen continue right where we left off and contend for both conference and a regional next year,” Browning said. “I’m proud of the steps we took and excited for the future.”
More reason for optimism is that the Stark County frosh-soph team finished the year 20-7, winning the consolation championship at the Wethersfield Tournament and placing second in the Lincoln Trail Conference.
LTC winner – United was the lone member of the Lincoln Trail Conference to win a boys basketball regional.
Knoxville lost to Farmington, 54-44, on its home floor last Friday, two days after the Farmers went to overtime to beat Mercer County, 54-47. And Abingdon-Avon lost to Peoria Christian in the Brimfield Regional, 52-40.
3-point aces – Two area players advanced from Wethersfield to the sectional round of the Three-Point Showdown. Galva sophomore Braxton Rylander made nine treys and Stark County junior Jack Colgan knocked home eight to advance.
“I’m really proud of our guys this season. Took a big step forward in terms of culture, in that our seniors leave with the program better than when they came,” Browning said. “That is something they can be really proud of when they look back on this season.”
Stark County finished the year with a 57-34 loss to Monmouth United on Feb. 23 in the semifinals of the Wethersfield Regional.
The Rebels fell behind 35-19 by halftime and could not make up ground in the final two quarters. Luke Rewerts led Stark County with 18 points, while Daniel Kieser scored 8, Ethan Unhold scored 3 and Joey Harmon, James Groter and Arvid Steudte each had 2 points.
“Had trouble containing [Cormaic] Flynn on the boards and they pushed the ball well with some transition baskets,” Browning said.
Abel Wilson had 20 points against Stark County and Flynn added 16.
United (25-6) went on to beat Ridgewood, 44-42, for the Wethersfield Class 1A regional championship and was to play Augusta Southeastern (28-4) Wednesday in the semifinal of the Abingdon-Avon Sectional. Flynn had 24 points in the regional final.
After breaking the .500 mark, Browning said he looks ahead with optimism.
“In terms of the future, we hope that the underclassmen continue right where we left off and contend for both conference and a regional next year,” Browning said. “I’m proud of the steps we took and excited for the future.”
More reason for optimism is that the Stark County frosh-soph team finished the year 20-7, winning the consolation championship at the Wethersfield Tournament and placing second in the Lincoln Trail Conference.
LTC winner – United was the lone member of the Lincoln Trail Conference to win a boys basketball regional.
Knoxville lost to Farmington, 54-44, on its home floor last Friday, two days after the Farmers went to overtime to beat Mercer County, 54-47. And Abingdon-Avon lost to Peoria Christian in the Brimfield Regional, 52-40.
3-point aces – Two area players advanced from Wethersfield to the sectional round of the Three-Point Showdown. Galva sophomore Braxton Rylander made nine treys and Stark County junior Jack Colgan knocked home eight to advance.
