Marion hopes to build on experience
Staff writers
Second-year boys’ basketball coach Kevin Dasenbrock brings with him four returning starters — Jordy Raymer, Carson Krause, Kadon Mercer, and Jackson Howard.
“We are coming off a season where we established an identity and culture,” Dasenbrock said. “This is our second year of a new program and style of play.
The Warriors only lost one senior from graduation which means a lot of experience is coming back.
“Jordy will be a big impact again for us this season, and Carson grew tremendously as a basketball player last season,” Dasenbrock said. “Kadon is tough and a competitor, while Jackson is a big impact in the paint, not only scoring but rebounding as well.
“We are looking to play fast and have that relentless pressure – unstoppable pace mentality.”
Other players to watch for are Isaac Wesner, Hugh Guetterman, Kevon Jones, Ryder Kraus, and Ryker Salsbury.
“Isaac started a few games for us last year but was a strong presence off the bench,” Dasenbrock said.
The Warriors opened up their season on the road Dec. 2 against Central Burden, losing 54-47.
On Friday, Marion traveled to county rival Goessel and dominated from start to finish, winning 67-17.
Three Warriors scored in double figures with Kadon Mercer notching 14 points and Jackson Howard and Hugh Guetterman each scoring 11 points.
This week, Marion will be host for its annual Basketball Classics with Halstead and Central Christian Academy.
This will be the Warriors first home games of the season and the tournament days are Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
“This group of young men has a chance to do something that hasn’t been done in many years here on the boys’ basketball side of things,” Dasenbrock said. “I am excited to be a part of it with them.”
Girls’ basketball
Seven-year coach Jason Hett brings with him three returning starters, Hailey Harshman, Shaliah Ensley, and Kate Wessel.
“We are coming off a season where we established what we wanted our culture and team to be about,” Hett said.
Harshman will be the quiet leader, Ensley will bring the energy, and Wessel will make her presence known in the paint.
“Hailey is long and athletic and will look to create mismatches this season,” Hett said, “and she has a nice shot.
“Shaliah will have to be an all-purpose player for us this season, where she will be expected to play multiple roles for us.
“Kate continues to develop, and we will look to her to continue growing this season.”
Other players to watch for are Alycia Jones, Dylan Kraus, Brylee Smith, Kaelynn Metro, and Kiersten Wildin.
“Even though we will have some new faces in bigger and different roles this season, our expectations will not change, and we will look to play basketball with grit and be a tough out every night,” Hett said.
The Warriors were on the road Friday night against county rival Goessel for their second game of the season.
Marion opened up the season Dec. 2 against Central Burden, losing 50-36 on the road.
On Friday in Goessel, the Warriors battled their county rival into overtime 40-40, but Marion couldn’t finish in overtime losing 48-44.
Dylan Krays led the Warriors with 14 points followed by Hailey Harshman with 11 points.
The annual Marion Classic basketball tournament this week will be the first home games of the season
Games were played Monday and Tuesday and again on Friday, and Saturday with Halstead and Central Christian Academy participating.
Wrestling
“We have a mostly young squad this season so we will have to navigate the switch to high school for a lot of our wrestlers,” 10-year coach Tyler McMichael said. “I am looking for leadership qualities from some of our upper classmen since we lost our lone senior from last season.”
The only returning starter this season is junior Sam Rziha.
“He competed last season at 144 pounds and compiled a record of 15-14 on the year and really started to come around towards the end of last season, falling one win short of qualifying for the state tournament,” McMichael said.
Other wrestlers to look out for are Brody Coleman, Vyolett Dawson, and Evan Klenda.
“Vyolett has wretled for our team for two years now,” McMichael said, “and has continued to grow in the sport, and she will work to have an even better junior campaign as she battles this season.
“I look for our wrestlers to come in everyday and compete in the practice room. We might not be the most experience group of wrestlers, but I intend for us to battle in every single match no matter whom we are going against.”
The Warriors wrestling season will begin Saturday in Hesston.
“We will work hard every day to be the toughest wrestlers that we can,” McMichael said.