Preview: Maize Eagles

MEET THE TEAM

It wasn't long ago when Maize was over-flowing with talent and playing at a high level year-in and year-out. The Eagles finally broke through and played at the 2010 state tournament, but lost in the first round in an epic game against Leavenworth. Last season something dropped off and the Eagles struggled through a 6-win campaign with mostly a senior cast.
Gone is most of the production from that team, including coach Mike Darrah, who was replaced this summer by former South coach Chris Davis. His job will be to restore the Eagles to their winning ways and he believes the talent is there to win right away. The talent is young and inexperienced, but it is talent.
The two that did see big minutes on varsity last year, senior Tavon Marrow and junior Connor Eleeson, will be the foundation to this team. They both can be high-volume scorers. Marrow has unlimited potential and could be unleashed in his senior year in ways he hasn't been utilized in the past. Eleeson is a pure scorer with a silky smooth shot and the ability to put the ball on the floor and score in a variety of ways. They'll be the leaders and established veterans on a team that will be needing both of those this season.
The rest of the team is an unknown. No one has played much on varsity and everyone is entering the season unproven. But Davis does like the talent he has to work with and thinks Maize could be a fairly deep squad this year. Jacob Horsch is a gym rat and an over-achiever at just 5-foot-6. Connor Lungwitz had a breakthrough season in football as a sophomore quarterback and could experience the same success on the basketball court. Aaron Shaw is another quality shooter. And the most talented of the mix could be 6-foot-7 sophomore Austin Engler, who is still extremely raw but has a very high ceiling.
Darrah is gone, but the defense-first mentality he instilled in Maize is not. Davis wants to continue that and make Maize a tough out for anyone. Rebounding and defense will be the 1A and 1B concerns for Davis this season. Maize should be a team that improves after the Christmas break, as it breaks in so much new talent.
Maize could be in a for a surprise season if Marrow elevates to all-league status and takes ownership of this team. They have some nice pieces that could make them a very difficult team to defend and score against. But the pieces are so young and inexperienced, it's difficult to say how they will come together this season. They could be a year away from making their mark or they could be waiting for a breakthrough season.

MEET THE CAST

TAVON MARROW | POINT | 5'9" | SENIOR
One of only two contributors from last year's rotation, Marrow will now step up and take over this team as the senior point guard. Could be in store for a big season now that his role has expanded and he can showcase some crafty offensive talent.
CONNOR ELEESON | WING | 5'10" | JUNIOR
Has been an offensive sparkplug off the bench for the past two seasons now. Must respect his outside shot, but he also has the ability to drive and score in a variety of ways. Should be one of the team's leading scorers this season for Maize.
JACOB HORSCH | POINT | 5'6" | JUNIOR
Looks over-matched on the court at just 5-foot-6, but has figured out ways to overcome his size. A heady player and a gym rat, Horsch gives Maize a reliable ball handler and someone who can create shots for others.
CONNOR LUNGWITZ | POST | 6'3" | SOPHOMORE
Had a stellar season as quarterback of the football season and could be in store for a great basketball year. He's a scrapper in the post and has good mobility for a kid his size that should help Maize defending and rebounding from the post.
AARON SHAW | WING | 6'0" | JUNIOR
A perimeter player that will see a lot of varsity minutes this season as a junior because of his ability to shoot the ball. Paired with Eleeson, Maize has some of the best shooters in the league.
AUSTIN ENGLER | POST | 6'7" | SOPHOMORE
A bit of a project because he's still raw in basketball terms, but Engler's ceiling is limitless. He's already a difference-maker on defense, but if he ever puts together an offensive game then he could be a scary-good type of talent.

FROM COACH DAVIS

"Our identity has got to be we guard people and we can rebound. If we can do that, then the wins will take care of themselves. We're skilled enough to do some good things on offense. I think if our puzzle comes together, we could surprise a lot of people. There's no doubt that our future is very bright with the kids we have in the program." 

THE PREDICTION

You got to like the word coming out of Maize from Davis. The Eagles will be incredibly young and inexperienced, so it's difficult to imagine them competing for a league title this season. But there's no denying that Maize has some talent and could compete for it this year, especially in a division that appears wide open behind Derby. The sub-state is also kind of wide open, so there is opportunity for Maize. They may be a year away from seriously doing some damage, but don't be surprised if you see them claw to a season closer to .500.