Alva Review-Courier -

In his third year as the head coach of the boys' basketball program at Medicine Lodge, Josh Ybarra and this young Indian team will work on gaining experience so that they can be competitive down the line.

"Our expectations are the same every year. We want to be competitive in the Central Plains League and in our Sub-State," said Ybarra. "We expect to have a tough league schedule followed by a challenging Sub-State, and so we need to figure out how to be competitive throughout the season."

So far, Ybarra's statement of this being a challenging season for the Indians has proved true with this young team. Losing seven of their top players from last season, and only returning one starter can do that.

Ybarra looks to his team to develop their defense early in the season since their offense and scoring is "going to be a work in progress." Much of the Indians' success is dependent on these younger players to answer this adversity and step up into their roles.

Returning to the starting lineup for the Indians is 5-foot-10 guard Drew Honas, the only returning player that has seen significant playing time on varsity. Honas has quickly answered the call and been their biggest point producer on offense finishing a game early in the season against Skyline with a season-high of 40 points.

As far as players to keep an eye on the Indians' team, senior Luke Fisher will get a chance to show his abilities this season. With great touch on the ball underneath the basket coupled with his ability to shoot the outside shot, Fisher will help open the floor for Medicine Lodge.

Another contributor is Garrett Randels, a 5-foot-9 junior. Ybarra depends on Randels' relentlessness to track down the loose boards giving the Indians some extra possessions, as well as disrupting offenses.

Sophomore Garrett Burden is another player who has been a contributor on offense for Medicine Lodge.

"He (Burden) is so fluid with his game and probably the best basketball mind on the team," said Ybarra. "He has a great shot and knows how to score, but just like most young players, he has to get better on the defensive end."

While this team has some talented shooters to provide for the offensive side, Ybarra is looking to help this inexperienced team develop their defensive game as the season winds down.

The Indians plan to compete in the 54 Classic at Cunningham High School that begins on Jan. 17. Their final home game will be on Feb. 21 against Wichita Trinity Academy before entering their post season.

2016-2017 Basketball Rosters

Indians

No. Name Cl.

0 Dakota Bayliff So.

2 Drew Honas Jr.

3 Garrett Burden So.

4 Austin Walker Sr.

11 Garrett Randels Jr.

12 Deven Leis So.

13 Blake Winter Jr.

15 Jose Guillen So.

20 Luke Fisher Sr.

22 Tanner Wedel Jr.

23 Ben McKinney Jr.

34 Lewe Schmaeschke Sr.

Indians C-Team

No. Name Cl.

1 Jackson Pettit Fr.

2 Brayden Schmidt Fr.

5 Cason Leibst Fr.

10 Tyce Lonker Fr.

14 Dasik Clouse Fr.

20 Kobe Collins Fr.

21 Kirk Fisher Fr.

24 Kyson Cunningham Fr.

30 Chance Bender Fr.

31 Brayden Paxson Fr.

32 Grant Ricke Fr.

40 Devon Cox Fr.

Head coach: Josh Ybarra

Assistant coach: Joe Dohrmann

Lady Indians

No. Name Cl.

0 Julienne Davis Fr.

1 Grace Koster Sr.

2 Taylor Wortman So.

3 Kyla Alojacin So.

4 Jaycee Patton Fr.

10 Madison England So.

11 Aaliyah Flyingout Armstrong Fr.

12 Grace Bedwell Fr.

15 Tori Fischer Fr.

20 Danielle Bedwell Fr.

22 Blayze Scott Sr.

23 Emily Hrencher Sr.

25 Rylee Waller So.

32 Kendra England Sr.

33 Samantha Bacon Fr.

34 Corbin Smith Fr.

41 Braxton Wells Jr.

Head coach: Kami Dahlberg

Assistant coach: Heather Smith

Remaining 2017 Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Home/Away Time

Jan. 24, 27-28 Skyline tournament Away TBA

Feb. 3 Garden Plain Home 6 p.m.

Feb. 7 Belle Plaine Home 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 Cheney Away 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 Anthony-Harper-Chaparral Away 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 Conway Springs Away 6 p.m.

Feb. 21 Trinity Academy Home 6 p.m.

*Home games in bold.