by Steve Peterson

A team of 15 young but energetic Westerners are working toward the boys basketball season opener, Nov. 27 at home against Remsen-St. Mary’s in a War Eagle Conference clash.

“The kids are working hard, are enthused, love to play and have a good attitude,” said A-W Head Coach Jon Harris.

One senior back is Kyle Schroeder, a 6-foot 2-inch forward-center who saw some part-time starting last season.

Chance Hoffman, a 6-2 junior, is back and coming off a stellar football season but was hurt in the last game. His ankle injury is making progress.

“He can create his own shot,” said Harris.

Also on the team are juniors Alex Foley, a 6-0 center position player and last year’s Most Improved player; Nate Sanchez, a 6-0 guard; Tavian Banks, a guard-small forward, and sophomore Joel Brenner is a 6-2 post player.

“There is still a lot of evaluating going on,” said Harris of the roster.

“Unity will be strong and Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn could challenge them. We would like to improve to the middle-of-the-pack in the conference. A .500 season would be a very good accomplishment given our inexperience,” said Harris.

A-W was 7-16 overall last season and 3-7 in the War Eagle Conference. A-W won the regular season finale and a playoff game against West Sioux, 46-30, before losing to Boyden Hull.

A-W boys varsity schedule for 2012-2013, contests follow the girls’ varsity game:

Nov. 30: Hinton, away

Dec. 4: Gehlen Catholic, away

Dec. 7: Unity Christian, home

Dec.11: Remsen Union, away

Dec. 18: West Sioux, away

Dec. 21: Gehlen Catholic, home

Jan. 5: South O’Brien, 3 p.m., home

Jan. 8: Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn in Marcus, away

Jan. 18: South O’Brien in Paullina, away

Jan. 22: Elk Point-Jefferson, S.D., home

Jan. 25: Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, home.

Jan. 29: Trinity Christian in Hull, away

Feb. 1: Remsen-St. Mary’s, away

Feb. 5: Hinton, home

Feb. 8: West Sioux (junior varsity first boys only), home.