A look at the Maize South Mavericks basketball teams
SCHEDULE
December – 2, Campus; 9, at Arkansas City; 13, Andover Central; 16, Goddard; 20.
January – 3, at Eisenhower; 6, at Andover; 10, Salina Central; 12, 13 or 14, TBA at Koch Arena; 17, Derby (G); 20, at Maize (G); 19-21, at Valley Center tournament (B); 24, Derby (B); 26-28, at El Dorado tournament (G); 27, at Maize (B); 31, at Valley Center.
February – 3, Arkansas City; 7, at Andover Central; 14, Eisenhower; 17, at Goddard; 21, Andover; 23, Valley Center.
BOYS
Coach: Kip Schultz, eighth season, 66-86
Last season: 11-11
Top players
Ethan Richardson, 6-2, sr., G
Bryce Wiedemann, 6-3, jr., C
Tristen Knoblauch, 6-1, jr., G-F
Nolan Veenis, 6-2, so., G
Tyler White, 5-11, jr., G
While they may not rival the inexperienced crew Schultz started his program with eight years ago, Maize South will test the waters with mostly juniors and sophomores who will have enhanced roles.
“We’re going to have to be patient and let those kids make mistakes and not get down on them,” Schultz said. “I want them to be confident about making plays and try not to break that confidence.”
The task will be amplified as the Mavericks move forward without Payten Ricks and Seth Jennings, who accounted for approximately 60 percent of Maize South’s scoring last season. Ricks, an all-state performer, averaged 27.9 points.
“It’s just not going to come from one guy,” Schultz said. “We’re going to try to get more evenly spread across the board from our starters to our reserves.”
Richardson, the quarterback on Maize South’s football team, has Schultz’s trust as a leader. Weidemann, the top returning scorer at 5.8 points, and Knoblauch are strong rebounders. Veenis cracked the starting lineup as a freshman and is part of a class that will add size to this year’s team with 6-foot-5 post Kael Kordonowy.
“To be real honest, I’m excited about the length we can put on the floor,” Schultz said. “Changing shots in the paint and securing defensive rebounds will be key for us.”
GIRLS
Coach: Sabrina Gallo, third season, 21-22
Last season: 14-8
Top players
Sierra Mortensen, 5-9, sr., G
Jaelynn McLaurian, 5-10, sr., G
Lauren Johnson, 5-10, so., G
Kerrigan Dixon, 6-1, sr., C
Graduation and transfers have left Maize South with a limited number of players with varsity experience. The good news for the Mavericks is those who have it provide a strong nucleus.
Mortensen averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds to earn all-league first-team honors as a junior, while McLaurian joined the Mavs after the holiday break and averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds last season. McLaurian sustained a stress fracture in her foot after the season, but is ready to go.
“I’m expecting them to be our main scorers again,” Gallo said. “Once they’re having a little success, I expect the others will fall right in and follow them.”
Maize South could get added scoring balance from Johnson, who averaged 6 points as a freshman. Another wild card is Dixon, who offers the Mavs height to compete against taller front lines.
“I’m just looking for her to rebound and be a presence inside,” Gallo said. “She’s got a new mentality this season and seems much more determined, much more confident.”
Maize South is coming off a season that ended with a two-point loss to Goddard in the sub-state final. While that memory lingers, the Mavericks have channeled it positively.
“I think the kids are really excited about the season,” Gallo said. “There has been a lot of energy in our practices and they seem very cohesive.”
Scott Paske
This story was originally published November 24, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "A look at the Maize South Mavericks basketball teams."