.jpg)
LAUREL — Seven seniors hit the court for Todd Erwin’s first practice for the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge boys basketball team this season, along with eight returning letter winners.
Coming off of a 16-9 record last season, Erwin and the Bears are hungry for more heading into 2023-24.
“With seven returning seniors leading the program,” Erwin said, “we have a solid core experienced players for the upcoming season.”
Carter Kvols, Tyler Olson and Kolby Hansen are three of the seniors and also started for the Bears last year and should play a big role in their success this season.
Eli Haisch and Gibson Roberts are both juniors and started or played extensively for the Bears in 2022-23.
Other players who should find the court include returning letter winners Kayton Hall, Landen Leonard and Bradyn Urwiler.
Erwin is also looking for Brock Koranda and Caleb Erwin to fill out the rotation.
According to Erwin, Olson is a great jump shooter and hopes he will give the Bears 10-15 points per game.
He also noted Kvols, a 6-foot-5-inch forward, is athletic with a lot of length and can play anywhere on the court.
The coach said Hansen, at 6-9, had a lot of length and should get a lot of minutes this season.
Roberts is a 3-point threat, according to Erwin, and sees the floor and passes the ball well.
“Haisch can shoot the ball and is very physical on the court,” Erwin said.
He also noted Caleb Erwin adds a lot of athleticism to the team and saw a lot of minutes last year as a sophomore.
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge will open the season at home with Creighton on Nov. 30 before two additional nights at home with Crofton on Dec. 1 and Homer on Dec. 5.
After a trip to play Tri County Northeast, the remainder of the pre-Christmas slate will be at home with Ponca, Plainview and Bloomfield.
After the moratorium, the Bears will compete in the Wayne Holiday Tournament from Dec. 28-30.
Cedar Catholic comes to town on Jan. 4 and Wayne, Battle Creek and Wakefield highlight the balance of the January schedule.
The Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament is set for Jan. 27 - Feb. 5 before a couple of road trips to L utheran High Northeast in Norfolk and Wisner-Pilger.
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge will close out the regular season with a date with Wynot at home, Feb. 16.
The Bears will play in the C2-8 Sub-District along with Cedar Catholic, Crofton and Osmond-Randolph.
Erwin will be assisted by Shane Kinkaid, Alan Gottula and Jordan Jansen.
