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HARTINGTON — Second-year head coach. Tylor Fincher welcomed 21 players to the team this late fall, several newcomers and a couple of players that led Hartington-Newcastle in 2022-23.
The Wildcats used a second-half surge to get to 12-14 on the season and Riley Sudbeck and Dayton Sudbeck were a big reason for the success.
“We return our top two scorers and our top two on the boards,” Fincher said. “I have high hopes for this team this season.”
His excitement not only comes from the two Sudbecks, but the other players coming back and the freshmen.
“Our juniors and seniors have had a lot of playing experience,” the coach said. “And a big and talented freshmen class that are making practices very competitive.”
Riley Sudbeck averaged nearly 13 points per game last season and pulled down just under 10 boards per contest.
Dayton Sudbeck scored 161 points last season and grabbed 136 rebounds.
Three juniors and three sophomores also return as the Wildcats head into the uncharted waters of Class D-2 in this campaign.
Juniors, Cole Heimes, Cole Rosener and Ayden Rosener will be a viable part of the Hartington-Newcastle fortunes along with sophomores; Mason Krause, Brayden Lammers and Keatyn Arens.
Krause is listed at 6-foot-6 and Lammers is said to be 6-4. “We will be taller this season with players who have played,” Fincher said. “We have three sophomores over 6-4.”
Other members on the roster include sophomores, Carter Kelly and Jefferson Ruiz.
The large freshmen class is made up of Jason Heimes, Davey Folkers, Austin Sudbeck, Will Feilmeier, Gabe Reyes, Maximus McCray, Landon Clark and Trevon Hopping.
Although moving down to Class D2, the Wildcat’s schedule will remain as usual until the post season.
Hartington-Newcastle is set to open the season with Ponca here at home before another home date with Class C1 Wakefield on Dec. 2.
A trip to D2 powerhouse, Humphrey St. Francis followed by a home encounter with another juggernaut, Pierce, will get the Wildcats through the first 10 days of the season.
A more than competitive Walthill team awaits at home on Dec. 15 and Hartington-Newcastle finishes out the pre-moratorium schedule with a home dance with up-and-coming Boyd County on Dec. 19.
After a stint in the Stanton Holiday Tournament, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Plainview and Winnebago highlight the January slate of games.
The Lewis & Clark Conference Tournament is ready to go from Jan. 27 through Feb. 5.
Wausa and Wynot follow, both teams are a couple of the best in the area according to Fincher.
The Blue Devils are in the Hartington-Newcastle sub-district along with Lyons-Decatur Northeast and Walthill, pretty tough draw with the Blujays on the rise and Wynot coming off of a runner-up finish at last season’s D-2 State Tournament and returning a lot of talent.
Fincher, who owns a career 127-71 coaching record, likes his team. “If we can get the young and the experience together, we could be hard to beat,” Fincher said.
