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Warriors aim for more improvement on hardwood

By Justin Nutter - | Feb 2, 2012

Justin Nutter

The Warriors get instructions from coach Ryan Scott at halftime.

Year in and year out, Tonganoxie High students enter the gym in hopes of earning a spot on the Chieftain boys basketball roster.

Before they ever set their sights on a red and gold jersey, though, most stepped out on the floor as Warriors at Tonganoxie Middle School.

This year’s eighth-grade team includes 21 players. Some began the season with several years of experience under their belts, while others had never participated in an organized game.

“We’ve got probably three or four guys who are just now picking up a basketball for the first time,” TMS coach Ryan Scott said. “With all the hard work they’ve distributed over at practice, they’re starting to pick up the game a little bit more.”

Since the Warriors first began practice last December, coaches have placed a great deal of emphasis on basic fundamentals, as well as teamwork. The team currently boasts a 4-3 record, including Thursday’s 23-2 win over Atchison.

While he admitted there is still room for improvement, Scott has seen improvement across the roster since players first took to the floor.

“After (Thursday’s) game, we kind of took a step back, but we got the win,” he said. “I’d say we’re almost there. We can see a little bit more teamwork and more leaders throughout our team. I think they’ll be ready for high school ball.

“If we can’t play as five, then our high school is not going to be successful.”

Scott’s squad still has a handful of opportunities to improve before the end of the season. The Warriors will play host to Monticello Trails on Monday, followed by a trip to Clark on Feb. 14. Both games will begin at 4 p.m. TMS will wrap up its 2012 campaign at the Kaw Valley League tournament, which will take place Feb. 22-25 in Basehor.

2012 TMS boys roster

00 — Noah Arthaud

0 — Zack Warmoth

1 — Dalton Trimble

3 — Luke Aitkens

4 — Heath Martin

5 — Bryce Dane-Wilcox

10 — Josua Lingo

11 — Grant Elston

12 — Isacc Nickel

13 — Cody Pollum

14 — Tommy Ford

15 — Dawson Jones

20 — Solomon Dill

21 — Kyle Fain

22 — Ryan Malone

23 — Tyler Novotney

24 — Alex Kroll

25 — Billy Kelley

32 — Ryan Musick

33 — Will Perich

35 — Jack Dale