Sports

The Central Plains Oiler boys’ basketball team begins its 2019-20 season with a new head coach, Ted Schmid. He replaces Brett Rolfs who resigned in May after seven years at the helm.

The 2019-20 season for the Wilson Dragons could go either way. “With a completely new lineup from losing four seniors, the kids can either respond and step up, or they can be pushed back a little. Time will tell,” said head coach Trenton Ptacek. The Dragons have a lot on their side.

The inexperience of the 2019-20 Lady Dragons should be offset by their aggressiveness and willingness to learn. Wilson lost a key player, Kaleigh Hanzlick, to graduation. However, the team will have three returning players — sophomore Macy Hanzlick and juniors Bryna Hill and Kami Thrasher.

The Ellsworth Lady Bearcats have the potential to finish in the top level of North Central Activities Association teams this season. That’s the expectation of Ken Cravens, who has served as the Lady ‘Cats head coach for 18 years.

Ryan Webber expects to focus on team building as his Ellsworth Bearcats enter the 2019-20 basketball season. “If we learn to operate well as a team we should be very competitive,” he said.

Six members of the Central Plains Oilers football team were named to Central Prairie League 2019 All League teams. Chosen for the first team were: Jerred Bieberle, senior utility back; Tyler Holmes, junior center; Jerred Bieberle, senior linebacker; and Tyler Holmes, junior defensive lineman.