St. Francis, Eustis-Farnam boys teams ready for season to start

Indians' Crabtree is one of area's top returnees

ST. FRANCIS -- After pulling down an average of nine rebounds per game during the 2006-07 season, Ted Crabtree stands out for the St. Francis Indians boys basketball team as one of the top returning players in the Northwest Kansas region.

Crabtree, a 6-foot-3 senior, will be joined this season by a talented group of underclassmen, including Matt Raile, 6-3, and Trent Raile, 6-0, from the sophomore class, and Keaton Frewer, 6-0; Trent Kinen, 6-1; and Sam Sowers, 6-4, from the junior class.

The Indians got a late start this season due to their success in football. Because of the playoffs, the St. Francis roundballers missed out on the first two weeks of practice.

"We will have only three practices before our first game and a tournament the following week," Coach Ward Cassidy said.

The Indian basketball team posted a 14-8 record last year. For his career, Cassidy has a record of 53 wins and 50 losses.

ST. FRANCIS BOYS

2007-08 Schedule

Nov. 29 DUNDY COUNTY

Dec. 4-8 Sagebrush Tournament at Brewster

Dec. 14 at Oberlin

Dec. 18 at Rawlins County

Dec. 20 at Colby

Jan. 4 HOXIE

Jan. 11 at Oakley

Jan. 15-19 Oberlin Tournament

Jan. 22 WESKAN

Jan. 29 at Brewster

Feb. 1 GOODLAND

Feb. 5 at Wallace County

Feb. 12 CHEYLIN

Feb. 15 QUINTER

Eustis-Farnam boys

feature experienced team

EUSTIS-FARNAM -- Seven letterwinners return for the Eustis-Farnam Knights boys basketball team, providing both experience and leadership for the 2007-08 season.

"A diligent work routine in the off season has provided key players a lot of confidence," said Coach Bobby Johnson.

With good height, there will game situations in which the Knights can have four players on the court above the 6-foot-3 mark.

"This will create good mismatches as all of the tall team members can play both inside and out," Coach Johnson said.

Key players will be Weston Keller, Derek Williams and Drew Wetovick. Keller is the Knights' returning point guard. "He has really improved his scoring ability over the off season," the coach said. Williams and Wetovick will be utilized to take advantage of their size and quickness.

A strong suporting cast for Eustis-Farnam includes Justin Bendler, Jorden Bendler, Josh Transmeier and Scott Aden.

In 2006-07, Eustis-Farnam posted a 6 win, 12 loss record. The Knights lost in the first round of the sub-districts to Cambridge.

This is Eustis-Farnam's last year in the Central Platte Conference. Next year, the Knights will be moving to the Fort Kearney Conference.

EUSTIS-FARNAM BOYS

2007-08 Schedule

Nov. 30 CAMBRIDGE

Dec. 1 at Arnold

Dec. 8 PAXTON

Dec. 11 at Bertrand

Dec. 14 MAYWOOD

Dec. 18 at Elm Creek

Dec. 21 S-E-M

Jan. 5 at Pleasanton

Jan. 8 at Arapahoe

Jan. 11 at Alma

Jan. 12 WILCOX-HILDRETH

Jan. 15 ELWOOD

Jan. 18 at Overton

Jan. 25 at Maxwell

Jan. 28 CPC Tournament

Feb. 5 LOOMIS

Feb. 15 at Medicine Valley