Preview of AV-CTL Div. 1

This is the largest division in the Ark Valley, but I feel like it's gotten somewhat of a bum reputation in the last few seasons. There's a lot of people that feel that there is better basketball being played in the lower divisions, and they might have a point. Not one team in the division qualified for the state tournament last season and the seven teams combined for a 67-84 record.

That's not very good, but this is a new season and all seven teams are starting with a clean state. There's no question the overwhelming favorite again will be Derby. They bring a lot back from last season's undefeated league title season and unless they have a hiccup in the road, I see them winning every league game again this year. But after the Panthers, the race for second through seventh is wide open.

Campus and Maize are beginning new regimes under Russell Herman and Chris Davis, respectively. Coaching changes always bring new life and new hope to programs and each of those teams feels like they have the talent to compete this season. It appears like both of the Salina teams, Central and South, are shaping up for strong seasons and that should be a great battle for supremacy in Salina. And then Hutchinson and Newton are two teams that you can always count on being scrappy and teams no one wants to face.

It all should make for a great season and I will give you everything you need to know about how the league race will shape up.

1. Derby Panthers (Full Team Preview)
It's looking like the talent and the arrival of Flory is perfectly coinciding. He knows how to handle it and the Panthers should once again be a 15-16 win team in the regular season. But to get over that hump, Derby will have to prove it can defend. Not a lot, but just enough to win and grind out wins over tough teams. I think in Flory's second season Derby will be able to do that. I expect another league title and I would not be surprised in the least if the Panthers end their 16-year drought.

2. Hutchinson Salthawks (Full Team Preview)
I've always admired what Henry has done at Hutchinson. I love the way he always gets his teams to play hard defense and it's no coincidence Hutchinson always wins 2-3 more games than you would expect them to. Well, stop underrating them people. The Salthawks will once again post a winning record in a league that is wide open behind Derby. The sub-state also presents plenty of opportunity as long as you avoid North. If the Salthawks can do that and grab the No. 2 or 3 seed, then there's no reason why this team couldn't potentially be playing in the state tournament and everyone exclaiming them to be the overachievers as always. Maybe some day they'll dole out the proper respect this program deserves.

T3. Salina Central (Full Team Preview)
Salina Central appears ready for another solid season with three starters back from a successful team. Finch has a proven track record of getting the Mustangs to a winning season and I don't see that stopping this year. It's hard to imagine this group winning more than the 13 games they did last year, but I still think over 10 wins is more than reasonable. A chance for a state berth is there as well because Central's sub-state is wide open, so if this team catches fire at the right time then it could be in for a special year.

T3. Salina South (Full Team Preview)
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.

5. Maize Eagles (Full Team Preview)
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.

6. Newton Railroaders (Full Team Preview)
When a 6-win team loses its best player, it's hard to predict that team to come back stronger the next season. But I think Newton has a strong chance to improve its record this season and compete in the division and also in the sub-state. Both offer huge opportunities for the Railroaders to make a move this season and I think in the third season under Cameron they will surprise some people. I expect to Newton to get off to a fast start to the season and finish right around .500 and could make a strong push to make the state tournament in a wide-open sub-state.

7. Campus Colts (Full Team Preview)
The change to the new offense should benefit the talent Campus has on the roster this season. It will help defeat over-matched opponents more easy, but it will probably run them into a buzz saw when they come up against elite teams. That's to be expected in the first year of a system, however. There's no question Campus is moving in the right direction but it still takes time. The schedule is rigorous this season and that might hide Campus' improvement. They could post a similar record from last year, but I think they will be a much more competitive team this season.

Preview: Campus Colts

MEET THE TEAM

It has been 8 years since the last time Campus had a winning record. It has been double that since the last time Campus played in the state tournament. Winning in Haysville has become a problem for every coach that has tried over the last decade. Russell Herman, who has been an assistant the last seven years, is next in line and he believes restoring Colt basketball to its past pride can be done, it's just going to take some time.
Campus returns its two best players from last year, Jordan Sparks and Austin Vaden. Herman is scrapping the old grind-it-out style Campus attempted to win with in the past and installing a polar opposite system that will have the Colts scrambling all over the court, playing as fast as they can and trying to keep that tempo the entire game. It's a strategy not unlike some teams Campus will face, but Herman said "we're just going to have to do it better than they do it."
When Campus does have to settle down and run its offense, Herman said it will be a dribble-drive motion team. That should play right into the talents of Sparks and Vaden, who both should be increases in their scoring this season because of the new system. The Colts will be mostly a perimeter team, as they do not have anyone over 6-foot-3 down low.
Rebounding is always a concern, as is the defense. Since Campus won't be able to match up size-wise with some teams, it will have to take on a scrappy mentality to overcome its flaws. There's more depth on the bench this season, Herman believes, which should help running bodies in and out of the game to maintain the pace they want to play at.
But how quickly can Campus transfer from holding the ball and grinding games out to winning high-scoring affairs? It could take a season or two for the system to fully settle in, but Herman believes this is the way to go. Winning at Campus is possible, but to do so a change in culture was needed. Herman thinks he's delivering that. Now only time will tell how effective it can be for the Colts.

MEET THE CAST

#12 | AUSTIN VADEN | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
Will be the foundation of the new offense, as his frame is a bit wiry but his athleticism and height should allow him to thrive in the new offensive system. Will be counted on more this season to rebound and defend in the post.
#02 | JORDAN SPARKS | WING | 5'10" | SENIOR
The other senior that will do much of the scoring for the Colts, Sparks is a wing that can score off his jumper or take it to the rim and finish. He'll benefit the most from the new offensive pace and should be in store for a big year.
#33 | COLTON FLAX | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
He'll be the epitome of a Campus post player: a little under-sized, but plays bigger than 6-3. He's not afraid to scrap underneath and the lefty has a soft touch around the basket and could do most of his scoring off put-backs.
#03 | MARCUS SAUCEDO | WING | 6'0" | SENIOR
Saw varsity minutes last season, but wasn't able to showcase much of his offensive talent. That will change this year, as Saucedo could slide into the starting lineup and will see a larger role as a scorer this year with his 3-point shot.
#23 | GABE CHAVEZ | POINT | 5'10" | SOPHOMORE
Could see the majority of the minutes this season as the team's point guard, despite only being a sophomore. He is advanced for his age and has a good feel for the game and should be a good operator of the new offense.
#10 | STEVEN SOLIS | WING | 6'0" | SOPHOMORE
Another youngster that saw a few garbage time minutes as a freshman. He'll see a lot more this season, as Campus will look to sub in and out more and his scoring ability should make him a valuable piece coming off the bench.
#04 | JOSH STROTKAMP | POST | 6'2" | SENIOR

#01 | CODY NICKS | WING | 5'11" | JUNIOR

FROM COACH HERMAN

"We're going to try this new style and see how it goes. The kids love any time they can play fast. It's a lot more fun style to play and that's part of why we're doing it. Any time you have a change in coaching, there's always a sense of change. I think the kids really feel like it's a fresh start and that's given them some new life. A new coach, a new system, I think they're starting to think maybe new things are possible here." 

THE PREDICTION

The change to the new offense should benefit the talent Campus has on the roster this season. It will help defeat over-matched opponents more easy, but it will probably run them into a buzz saw when they come up against elite teams. That's to be expected in the first year of a system, however. There's no question Campus is moving in the right direction but it still takes time. The schedule is rigorous this season and that might hide Campus' improvement. They could post a similar record from last year, but I think they will be a much more competitive team this season.