MEET THE TEAM
When Matt Renk took over the program, it was in a total rebuilding phase. Three long seasons past before Renk's system ran its course and results starting coming, as South broke through for a surprising 12-win season in 2011. Last year South lost virtually everyone, yet still wound up winning 8 games.Almost everyone is back from last season and Renk has high hopes that South can return to a winning season, much like the '10-'11 season. The Cougars have their best player back in Conner Ryan and he should be in store for a big season. He averaged a tick under 13 points a game and should see that increase to around 15 this season.
The roster has Renk wanting South to push the ball and increase the tempo of games this year. Last season the Cougars went through long bouts of scoring droughts and only scored more than 50 points six times. That shouldn't be an issue this season with so many returners and Renk's system firmly in place.
Most of these players were the same ones that led Salina South to a deep playoff run in the fall during football season. Renk actually didn't mind not having his players arrive until mid-November. He's convinced that winning in other sports breeds a winning attitude, something needed to turn South into a consistent winner like its cross-town rival Central.
South should be a fairly balanced squad when it comes to offense. Obviously Ryan will do most of his work outside on the perimeter, but South has a couple of good posts coming back in Ethan Mitchell and Ryan Fox that should be solid. Joining Ryan on the outside will be Justin Stonebraker and Kaleb Renk, which should form the nucleus of the team. Renk thinks that South will be able to score in a variety of ways, which should make it a more difficult team to guard.
Depth isn't a concern. Renk feels comfortable going 4 or 5 deep on his bench and thinks South could be a good defensive team when it hits its peak. It seems like all of the stars are aligning for this season to be another good year for South.
After Derby, Division I is wide open and the opportunity is there for South to make a very strong bid to be the second-best team in the division. But a lot of things will have to come together, most namely the offense scoring points. But if South can find a consistent offense and stays steady like it did last year on defense, it could make some noise this season. If you believe Renk, it could be a very special year for the Cougars.
MEET THE CAST
#12 | CONNER RYAN | WING | 6'2" | SENIOR
The top player from last season, Ryan returns as a first team all-league pick that averaged a shade under 13 points a game. But for South to become an elite team, Ryan will have to incease his scoring load in a faster-paced offense.
#12 | JUSTIN STONEBRAKER | POINT | 5'10" | JUNIOR
The quarterback who led South to a deep playoff run, the junior also leads the basketball team on the court. He will direct the offense, but also has a nice outside shot and will look to average close to double-digits this year.
#31 | ETHAN MITCHELL | POST | 6'4" | JUNIOR
Had a great season as a sophomore and looks to be improved this year. Proved he could bang down low and battle for rebounds, Mitchell should also be in store for a big offensive season down low with a soft touch around the rim.
#15 | KALEB RENK | WING | 6'2" | SENIOR
Saw some good minutes last year, but his role will be expanded in his senior season. Could be bumped into the starting lineup and provides South with a steady presence on the wing.
#25 | RYAN FOX | WING | 5'11" | JUNIOR
Undersized, but more than makes up for it with his toughness. He's not afraid to battle for loose balls and has a knack for the ball coming off the rim. Will do most of his scoring off put-backs and hustle plays.
#13 | NATHAN KROEKER | POST | 6'5" | SENIOR
A long-armed body that Renk can bring off the bench for rebounding and defending purposes. Didn't see a ton of time last season, but showed a lot of potential and has a chance to make a large impact this season with his skills.
#10 | ZACH NACHBAR | WING | 6'2" | JUNIOR
Athletic wing player that will give South depth off the bench. Saw minutes last season and will see more this year as a junior and key backup at the 2 and the 3.
#11 | AARON MAR | POINT | 5'10" | JUNIOR
Will back up Stonebraker whenever he needs a breather and is a reliable ball handler. Didn't see much varsity action at all last year, but should play a bigger part of the rotation this year.
#32 | SHAWN SMITH | POST | 6'6" | JUNIOR
A newcomer to the program that should make an instant impact with his 6-foot-6 frame. He's another long-armed body that can disrupt on defense and should help out down low rebounding the ball for South.
The top player from last season, Ryan returns as a first team all-league pick that averaged a shade under 13 points a game. But for South to become an elite team, Ryan will have to incease his scoring load in a faster-paced offense.
#12 | JUSTIN STONEBRAKER | POINT | 5'10" | JUNIOR
The quarterback who led South to a deep playoff run, the junior also leads the basketball team on the court. He will direct the offense, but also has a nice outside shot and will look to average close to double-digits this year.
#31 | ETHAN MITCHELL | POST | 6'4" | JUNIOR
Had a great season as a sophomore and looks to be improved this year. Proved he could bang down low and battle for rebounds, Mitchell should also be in store for a big offensive season down low with a soft touch around the rim.
#15 | KALEB RENK | WING | 6'2" | SENIOR
Saw some good minutes last year, but his role will be expanded in his senior season. Could be bumped into the starting lineup and provides South with a steady presence on the wing.
#25 | RYAN FOX | WING | 5'11" | JUNIOR
Undersized, but more than makes up for it with his toughness. He's not afraid to battle for loose balls and has a knack for the ball coming off the rim. Will do most of his scoring off put-backs and hustle plays.
#13 | NATHAN KROEKER | POST | 6'5" | SENIOR
A long-armed body that Renk can bring off the bench for rebounding and defending purposes. Didn't see a ton of time last season, but showed a lot of potential and has a chance to make a large impact this season with his skills.
#10 | ZACH NACHBAR | WING | 6'2" | JUNIOR
Athletic wing player that will give South depth off the bench. Saw minutes last season and will see more this year as a junior and key backup at the 2 and the 3.
#11 | AARON MAR | POINT | 5'10" | JUNIOR
Will back up Stonebraker whenever he needs a breather and is a reliable ball handler. Didn't see much varsity action at all last year, but should play a bigger part of the rotation this year.
#32 | SHAWN SMITH | POST | 6'6" | JUNIOR
A newcomer to the program that should make an instant impact with his 6-foot-6 frame. He's another long-armed body that can disrupt on defense and should help out down low rebounding the ball for South.
FROM COACH RENK
"It's got to start with the leaders on the court and the consistency from them and holding each other accountable in games. We had our breakthrough year a couple of seasons ago and last year we had nobody back and still won 8 games. So now we bring everybody back from that team and that should help. We have high expectations and I think this is shaping up to be a very good team."
THE PREDICTION
It looks like Renk is turning things around at South. For too long they played the little brother to Central, but now it looks like Renk has the Cougars ready to compete for supremacy in Salina. I think with everybody back from last year's team they will be looking at a winning season, but it will be close. They play a difficult non-league schedule and could suffer early because of football legs. But I like the Cougars to win at least 10 games and to make a very strong push for a good finish in league and a possible state berth.
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