Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
The Wayland Union boys basketball team will have a new look this season. Not only do the Wildcats have a number of new players on the varsity, but they also have a new head coach as well.
Justin Aten, a long-time assistant coach, takes over as head coach this year. Aten has just two returning players, as the Wildcats will be doing some rebuilding this season.
Seniors Dylan Greiner and Nick Shuster are Wayland’s two returnees, and both offer the team something different.
Greiner is a 5’11” guard with good athletic skills. Shuster is a 6’5″ post player who will give the team an offensive threat up front.
Greiner and Shuster will have to demonstrate leadership skills to the Wildcats’ large group of newcomers. Craig Velting (6’2″) will team up with Shuster in the post. Wayland Union will get a boost in the post midyear when transfer student Ryan Stevens (6’5″) becomes eligible to play.
In the backcourt, Velting will be joined by junior guards Zach Hindenach (5’9″) and Mason Kary (5’9″). Junior Kelly Burgess (5’9″) adds further depth in the backcourt and is an excellent outside shooter.
The Wildcats have even more youth on the team with four sophomores and a freshman on the roster.
GIRLS
With a number of starters back from a team that placed second in the conference last year, expectations are high for the Wayland Union girls basketball team this season.
Senior center Molly Lameyer (6’2″) leads the list of returnees for the Wildcats. An all-conference player last year, Lameyer is an outstanding post player who gives the Wildcats plenty of solid defense with her shot-blocking skills. She is also an outstanding rebounder.
Lameyer is joined on the front line by senior forward Jenna Jamieson (6’0″), who is a strong low-post scorer and is tough on the boards. The combination of Lameyer and Jamieson gives the Wildcats a solid one-two punch on the boards and makes them one of the favorites in the O-K Gold this season.
In the backcourt, senior Autumn Anderson (5’9″) is a veteran point guard who is entering her third year as a starter.
The Wildcats also have a pair of seniors at the two-guard spot. Jessica Goodwin (5’7″) and Kayla Merice (5’7″) are solid outside shooters who also play good defense.
Wayland Union’s veterans helped the Wildcats compile a 16-5 record last year and a second-place finish in the O-K Gold.
The team also has a number of newcomers who are poised to contribute. Junior forward Haley Obetts (6’1″) is an athletic front court player who runs the floor well. Junior Abby Miklusicak (5’10”) brings good offensive skills to the front court. Junior Nina DiCesare (5’5″) offers good depth at point guard.