GC boys basketball hoping to bounce back from 2-14 season

By Kelsie Hoitomt

GLENWOOD CITY – The Glenwood City boys basketball team is looking to improve this season after finishing 2-14 in the conference last year and losing to the Phillips Loggers in the first round of Regionals.

The team graduated four players – which includes Marcus Berends, Tom Yang, Travis Johnson and TJ Johnson – but they bring back their starting line up from last season, which looks to help improve their season.

The starting line up this season includes leading scorers Matt Schouten, who averaged 8.0 points per game, Nick Mrdutt with 7.4 points per game and Richard Ross with 6.1 points per game.

Also returning are Tyler Nueske, Tyler Johnson, Michael Johnson, Marcus Kadinger, Jake Hierlmeier, Todd Petersen, Tyler Woodruff and Kipp Wallace.

“New this year is Chris Wagner who is a big kid with great intensity,” shared second year head coach Brent Wink.

Wink said that the Hilltopper’s goal this season is to finish in the upper half of the conference and be the best defensive team in the conference as well.

“Our depth is going to be our greatest strength. We have many different kids who will step up for us this season,” said Wink.

The Hilltoppers top competitor looks to be Colfax as they return the majority of last year’s state semi-final team.

The Toppers first game will be on November 27 in Spring Valley against the Cardinals starting at 7:30 p.m.

The November 15 game against St. Croix Central has been rescheduled to December 10, due to some players still playing on the football team.

Hilltoppers’ Roster

• Seniors: Matt Schouten, Tyler Nueske, Chris Wagner, Tyler Johnson, Michael Johnson.

• Juniors: Nick Mrdutt, Richard Ross

• Sophomores: Marcus Kadinger, Jake Hierlmeier, Todd Peterson, Tyler Woodruff, Kip Wallace.