Matt Hettich, right, pulls down a rebound in a boys basketball scrimmage on Sunday during the Max Geditz benefit. Carson Gohl (in black) was also in the action.
The Ipswich Tigers boys basketball team is busy preparing for its first outing - a classic appearance in Sioux Falls on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Sanford Pentagon vs. Hitchcock-Tulare at about 4:30 p.m. right after the Lady Tigers' game also vs. Hitchcock-Tulare in the Pentagon. So it's a girls/boys twinbill if you will and their first Tiger Den appearance will also be a girls/boys DH vs. North Central on Dec. 17.
Ipswich's varsity will be led by seniors Will Kadlec, Max Geditz, Ethan Gilbert, Jordan Richardt, Dillon Weig, Lucas Metzinger and Tucker Green. So there is plenty of experience there, even though the Tigers lost some talented seniors last season. The juniors include Josh McQuarie, Matt Hettich and Eric Severson, bringing additional upper-class leadership to the team.
Ty Kadlec, Taylor Thorson, Carson Gohl and Matt Jaenisch are the four sophomores. Carter Geditz is the lone freshman on the varsity list. But that could possibly change later in the season, according to coach Tyler Severson, who is assisted by Todd Thorson.
"We believe that we have good things in store for this season," Severson predicts. "We did lose some solid seniors last season, but return two starters (Will and Ty Kadlec) who can both score the ball well. Will Kadlec can score well and has been doing a great job at developing a much more rounded offensive game. Ty will lead us at the point-guard position. Our first guy off the bench last year and a guy who will be the most athletic kid on the court (Max Geditz) will be inserted into the starting lineup this year. We are excited at what Ethan Gilbert will do this year. Josh McQuarie is an athletic kid who is continuing to get better. Taylor Thorson and Jordan Richardt are guys that will come in and do great things. Matt Hettich brings some athleticism and Eric Severson and Dillon Weig add some size."
Any basketball team can benefit from a little more size, but the 2019-20 Tigers should have some additional assets they will bring to the floor, according to their coach. "I think our biggest strength will be our athleticism," Severson explains. "We aren't as big in size or as tall as last year, but we do have some length in some spots and should be a quick and fast team. Offensively we want to get to the rim as much as possible and we have a few kids who should be able to finish at the rim."
The season will progress along towards Region 2B tournament time, when the Tigers will try to make a statement there. Regarding the Region, Coach Severson said "Sully Buttes is still good, although maybe not as talented as they have been the last two seasons. Herreid/Selby Area has a ton of experience back. Leola/Frederick has moved to Region 1B and Lower Brule came in our region. Potter County lost a ton of seniors from last year's team and Faulkton lost a star in Tyler Ogle. In no particular order, I would say the top four teams in the region are Sully Buttes, Ipswich, Herreid/Selby Area and Potter County."
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