Despite being the smallest division in the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League, Division 4 has been known to be the most competitive. The Buchanan brothers have established winning programs at Andale and Wellington; Clearwater is on the rise; and Collegiate is in the middle of a dynasty. Augusta brings a winning pedigree after dropping down and Circle has been competitive in year's past and is headed in the right direction under coach Jason Stucky.
This season has all the ingredients of another hyper-competitive year in Division 4. Can Collegiate win yet another league title? Can Clearwater or Andale take the Spartans down? Will the defense at Wellington, the speed at Augusta and new system at Circle be enough to surprise this season?
Here is everything you need know entering the 2012-2013 season for Division 4 of the AV-CTL.
1. Collegiate Spartans (Full Team Preview)
When
your program has won five state titles, you're judged year-in and
year-out on whether or not you can win a state title. This team has a
chance. Class 4A appears loaded this season, but there's no reason why
Collegiate can't make it to Salina. I think Kemmer will become an elite
scorer this season and the Spartans finish with no more than two losses
in the regular season.
2. Clearwater Indians (Full Team Preview)
It
could be argued Clearwater feasted on a soft schedule last season. You
wouldn't be wrong, but this is a talented team with one of the best
trio's around in Becker, Frickey and Reibenspies. I expect the Indians
to take the next step in Clevenger's third season and improve on last
season's win total somewhere around 15-16 wins.
3. Andale Indians (Full Team Preview)
The
defense alone under Buchanan, a defensive disciple, makes Andale a lock
for a winning season. The Indians should clean up on the weaker Ark
Valley teams, but might not have enough offense to compete with the
elite teams. I'm calling for at least 12 wins and probably upwards of
that in the regular season and another strong push for a berth to the
Class 4A tournament.
4. Augusta Orioles (Full Team Preview)
The
size issue will be too much to overcome for this team to contend with
the best, but Augusta should carve out a niche as a tough out. It's
tough to read how this team will do, but there are enough winnable games
on the schedule for the Orioles to finish with their fourth consecutive
winning season - but it will be right around the .500 mark.
5. Wellington Crusaders (Full Team Preview)
Wellington once again figures to be solid defensively, but how its depth works with its offense will tell how far this team will go. Good performances in the Kingman and Chaparral tournaments will help make a push for .500, but playing in a division with three quality teams will likely cap the Crusaders' ceiling around there.
6. Circle Thunderbirds (Full Team Preview)
Circle
wasn't as far away from a .500 season as it looked last year. Things
are headed in the right direction under Stucky, but he needs more time
to establish his system and get things in order before the Thunderbirds
are ready to compete. He gives Circle instant credibility though and I
wouldn't be surprised if they squeak one or two they shouldn't and
escape the bottom of the league standings.
MEET THE TEAM
Injuries and a late-season skid ended what looked like a turnaround season for Clearwater abruptly in the first round of sub-state. Three starters, including the talented junior Johnny Becker, return along with a host of key role players off the bench for another crack to end the 30-year drought of a trip to state.
Last season Becker, the team's leading scorer and honorable mention all-state as a sophomore, was a play-maker off the ball. Clevenger is going to shift him over to point guard more this season to put the ball in the hands of the best player and let him make plays.
The other two pieces of the foundation will be seniors Chad Reibenspies, an elite defensive stopper, and four-year starter Colin Frickey, a 6-foot-4 post that was a second team all-league selection last year. Along with Becker, these three make up what should be a very good core for the Indians.
Clearwater is on the athletic side, but knows playing in the Ark Valley will result in most games being won in the half-court. The Indians don't have a dominant post, but what they do have is a plethora of 6-2, 6-3 and 6-4 versatile players. Clevenger thinks this will be his deepest team yet, which should open up more possibilities with pushing the pace.
Outside of Reibenspies, Clearwater wasn't as solid as Clevenger wanted last season. An improvement must be made in the man defense for the Indians to knock off quality teams.
There's still something to prove with this group. Last season resulted in 13 wins, but none against a team that finished with a winning record. Clearwater was on the fringe of being a great team last season, but came up short. With the pieces they have coming back, improving on last season's record and making a push for a state bid are not unreasonable.
MEET THE CAST
JOHNNY BECKER | GENERAL | 6'2" | JUNIOR
Honorable mention all-state as a sophomore and already is one of the best players in the league as a junior. High on basketball IQ and the ability to make plays for himself and others, Becker is in store for a big season as he shifts over to the point guard position.
COLIN FRICKEY | POST | 6'4" | SENIOR
A four-year starter, he'll be the rock down low for the Indians as the team's only post player comfortable working on the blocks. A second team all-league player last year, Frickey should push for a first team selection as he bumps up to the team's second scoring option this season.
CHAD REIBENSPIES | WING | 6'4" | SENIOR
One of the most underrated players around, Reibenspies excelled last season as Clearwater's defensive stopper on the perimeter. At 6-4, he has the length to disrupt a lot of shots and lateral quickness to stay in front of his man. He has the capability of scoring double-digits and pulling down boards.
REED VAN DEEST | WING | 6'1" | JUNIOR
Saw a steady diet of minutes of the bench last season and could get the bump up into the starting lineup for his shooting ability. Opposite of Becker, he could find his niche by hitting the open shot to keep defenses honest.
DEVIN ROTH | POST | 6'3" | JUNIOR
Another player that was used off the bench last season, Roth will be the energy man once again this year. He won't likely have to do much scoring, but Clearwater will depend on him to do the little things, i.e. rebound, take charges and play solid interior defense.
COLLIN NEISES | WING | 6'0" | SOPHOMORE
A talented youngster that suited up for varsity some last season and should take on an expanded role as a defensive spark off the bench. He looks like the heir to Reibenspies as the team's defensive stopper and will continue his apprenticeship this season.
HUNTER HALL | POST | 6'4" | SOPHOMORE
Another sophomore that will likely see an increase in minutes this season. He's a lanky 6-4 and has the size and length to be a disruptive force on defense and grabbing rebounds for the team off the bench.
FROM COACH CLEVENGER
"It was a disappointing end to last season. The kids are motivated and prepared to go deeper than we did last year. It's going to serve as our motivation, but we've got to come out and do the little things better this season. That's rebounding, boxing out, limiting turnovers, playing defense. If we can get everybody buying in and understanding what we want to accomplish and filling their roles, then we have the chance to be pretty good."
THE PREDICTION
It could be argued Clearwater feasted on a soft schedule last season. You wouldn't be wrong, but this is a talented team with one of the best trio's around in Becker, Frickey and Reibenspies. I expect the Indians to take the next step in Clevenger's third season and improve on last season's win total somewhere around 15-16 wins.
