What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope
What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope
HAXTUN BULLDOG 2022 basketball team members are pictured front row (l-r), Joseph Helfer, Coleman Firme, Zach Fryrear, Kanin Koberstein, Zach Statz, Aiden Starkebaum and Tate Michael; middle row (l-r), Chase Goddard, Logan Leonard, Tristan Kleimola, Kash Workman, Braden Plumb, Jack Feik, Seth Seger, Carter Lock, Bret Kanode and Corbin Andersen; back row (l-r), Mason Bornhoft, Keegan Colglazier, Michael Gerk, Maclin Tempel, Mick Scholten, Colin Cone, Jaxsen Schram, Kyle Fryrear and Ryland Wolff. The Bulldogs are coached by Jayden Stieb and Lance Chapdelaine.
BULLDOG Freshman Colin Cone breaks away for a lay up in second half action against Fleming on Friday night.
A notch in the win column is a decent way to kick off the 2022-23 basketball season and that's just what the Haxtun Bulldogs did with a 57-46 win over the Fleming Wildcats Friday night. With just two weeks between the end of the football season and the Bulldog's home and season opener, the 26-member team got to work putting in the work to pick up some wins on the hardwood.
"It has been a solid start to the season. The boys have been working really well together in practice and haven't wasted much time getting into the swing of things," said Head Coach Jayden Stieb, now in his third year with the Bulldogs. "This first half of the season we are just focusing on doing the little things right. Playing sound defense and finishing each possession with a rebound. Crashing the boards on offensive. Limiting turnovers and mental mistakes."
With over 25 athletes on the team, Stieb said he is excited about the numbers to help create more competitive practices. Lance Chapdelaine returns again this year as Stieb's assistant coach for the Bulldogs.
"I'm Looking forward to seeing players stepping up into bigger roles and seeing how our younger guys will fit in with our system," said Stieb.
Haxtun started out strong at home last week, putting 18 points on the board in the first quarter alone. Things evened out in the second as both teams added 17 before half time, leaving Haxtun with a 35-27 advantage at the half.
Fleming came out hot in the third, outscoring the home team by one but the Bulldogs knew what they needed to turn up the heat in the fourth and that's just what they did. Haxtun outscored the Wildcats by four in the final to take a 57-46 victory to open the season.
Senior Maclin Tempel led the Bulldog offense with 27 points against the Wildcats while senior Michael Gerk also hit double-digits with 11. Ryland Wolff registered seven points followed by Colin Cone with six, Kyle Fryrear with four and Keegan Colglazier with two.
"I thought we played pretty well against Fleming. Every first game will have its hiccups but the boys did a really good job of making up for those with hustle plays," Stieb said. "I thought we shot the ball pretty well and we leaned on our defense, which is what we want to do. That was a good win to get off on the right foot."
Haxtun traveled to take on Perkins County in Grant, Neb. on Tuesday night and this Saturday, the Bulldogs hit the road again as the team is set to face off against the Buffs at Caliche on Saturday. Saturday's match up includes varsity competitions only with girls beginning at 4 p.m. The Buffs opened their season with a 2-0 start at the annual Peetz Tournament.
Before heading into Christmas break, the Bulldogs are set to compete in a Holiday Tournament at in Sterling Dec. 15-17.
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