REDSKIN HOOPSTERS WILL HIGHLIGHT YOUTH

writingwithwilldur
Nov 21, 2023
3 min read

Andrew Smith, Logan Renken Top Returnees

By Staff

LITTLE RIVER – After losing five key players to graduation and returning just two with solid game time play, the Little River boys basketball team will compete in 2023-24 as a young, hungry team while looking to remain near the top of the league and state action.

Beginning his third season at the helm of the boys basketball program, head coach Erik Base has a 33-13 overall record while being assisted by former McPherson College head coach Roger Trimmell.

In 2022-23 the Redskins finished 17-6 overall and second in the Wheat State League while finishing their season in Class 1A Division I sub-state action where they lost to eventual state champion Macksville.

With the graduation of Kayston Cox, Rylan Konen, Braxton Lafferty, Dalton Mantz and Treyton Olander, Little River departs with 45.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 11.1 steals, and 10.6 assists per game.

“Those guys were a very fun group to work with,” noted Redskin head coach Erik Base. “Most of them were here for my first year as head coach and it was great to work with them the two years I had them.”

What the Redskins do have returning to build around will be senior forward/center Andrew Smith and junior guard/forward Logan Renken, who together scored 13.7 points, grabbed 7.4 rebounds, made 2.2 steals and dished out 1.7 assists per game last season.

Smith is the lone senior on the roster for 2023-24 and Renken is the only one of three juniors who saw a lot of game time play. The roster includes ten sophomores and ten freshmen with three sophomores – guard Jaxon Konen, guard/forward CJ Herzog, and forward Kal-El Robinson being three which the coaches have said to watch out for.

Coach Base concluded his brief pre-season reflections by adding, “We will be a young, but very hungry team. We will look to lean on the leadership of our lone senior and lone junior, Andrew Smith and Logan Renken, as they have had a lot of experience the past two seasons, and we will look for them to lead our young guys the right way.”

The Redskins open the 2023-24 season on Friday, December 1 on the road at Lincoln before spending the first full week of December playing at the Goessel Bluebird Tournament against Burrton and Canton/Galva.

LITTLE RIVER REDSKIN BASKETBALL

2023-24 SEASON PREVIEW

COACH INFORMATION >

Head Coach > Erik Base – 3rd Season, 33-13 overall.

Assistant Coach >Roger Trimmell

TEAM INFORMATION >

2022-23 Season > 17-6 overall – 2nd in Wheat State League – lost in Sub-State to Class 1A Division I state champion Macksville.

REDSKIN PLAYER INFORMATION >

Lost to Graduation > Kayston Cox, Rylan Konen, Braxton Lafferty, Dalton Mantz, and Treyton Olander = Combined to score 45.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 11.1 steals, 10.6 assists per game.

Top Returnees >

Andrew Smith, sr. F/C and Logan Renken, jr. G/F = Combined for 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 1.7 assists per game.

Newcomers to Watch >

Sophomores > Jaxon Konen, G; CJ Herzog – G/F; Ty Janette – F; Kal-El Robinson – F.

2023-24 Player Roster >

Seniors > Andrew Smith

Juniors > Noah Carmichael, Logan Renken, Spencer Strecker.

Sophomores > Tony Aragon, Tristan Bristow, David Crandall, CJ Herzog, Kalis Higgins, Ty Janette, Jaxon Konen, Kelby Rice, Kal-El Robinson, Lakin Wege. Lexi Heinly- sophomore manager.

Freshman > Blayne Baldetti, Jhet Ewertt, Jaren Garrison, Kelltyn Grasser, Nic Jakabosky, Aiden Mendoza, Braylon Mitchell, Saio Neufeld, Logan Schubert, Elijah Stagner. Cooper Hjetland – freshman manager.

2023-24 REDSKIN SCHEDULE >

Friday, December 1 > at Lincoln

Tuesday, December 5 > at Goessel Bluebird Tournament – vs. Burrton

Thursday, December 7 > at Goessel Bluebird Tournament – vs. Canton/Galva

Friday, December 8 > at Goessel Bluebird Tournament – TBD

Tuesday, December 12 > at Moundridge

Friday, December 15 > hosting Wakefield

Tuesday, December 19 > at Herington

Friday, January 5 > at Peabody/Burns

Tuesday, January 9 > hosting Goessel

Friday, January 12 > hosting Rural Vista

Monday, January 15 to Saturday, January 20 > at Burrton Tournament