EnglishSpanish

UNDEFEATED 8-0 BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM MEETS RIVAL LAKIN THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

thumbthumb

The Syracuse High School boys varsity basketball team is having a record year! 

With Tuesday night’s 58-22 win against Moscow, the Bulldogs have secured the number two seed in the upcoming High Plains League Tournament (HPL) held at Syracuse January 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16. 

Coach Wahlmeier felt the boys put forth a great defensive effort. “Holding any team to 22 points is hard to do and we knew we had to fine tune some things on defense to get prepared for the league tournament.” Adding, “Losing 13 guys to quarantine, including three of our varsity bench, put us in a tough spot!” 

He felt all the boys stepped up in a tough position and made the most out of the situation. Offensively, they got the looks they wanted all night, but the Bulldogs did not shoot the ball very well. “We’ll hit it hard in practice the next couple days and get ready for an outstanding Lakin team.” 

 Tuesday night’s win over Moscow puts them at 8-0. This puts the Varsity Bulldogs in the record books. The last time they were 8-0 was in 2007-08. 

Head coach Jordan Wahlmeier said, “It’s been an exciting year so far for sure!” He is assisted by Tregg Thomeczek and Angel Salmeron. Adding, “We enjoy each and every win, especially in these crazy times, but we are not satisfied.”

Wahlmeier added, “The boys have not yet accomplished the goals they set. But we are doing a great job of putting ourselves in a position to be successful. I’m thrilled with how hard these boys work and how much they love to compete.” 

Former head high school boys coach, Jeff Mathias recalls his 2010-2011 state qualifying team as 7-1 going into HPL, and former coach Bryce Simon also had a 7-1 a couple of years ago. “The state qualifying team from the 2008-2009 season was the last team to be undefeated at this point,” said Mathias

Bill Peeper, teacher and coach from 2000-2010, confirmed Mathias’ statement saying, “The only time we were undefeated leading up to the HPL tournament was in 2007-2008, starting 8-0 before losing to Lakin in the High Plains League tournament semifinals.” The seniors that year were Will Brown, Dalton Simon, Joe Englert, Cory Hatcher, and Luis Aguilera. 

The Bulldogs win last Friday night 58-44 versus Southwestern Heights (SWH) was a battle according to Wahlmeier. “We knew going in that they had some quick guards.” With both teams coming off a long break, Wahlmeier was impressed with how the boys played, “Our endurance was there, execution was there, and the boys stepped up big on the defensive end!” He could tell they worked out individually over break and did some player-led things. “As a coach it was hard not to be there and support them, but we had some guys step up big and organize some things offsite, so we were able to maintain through the break and turn it into a positive.”

He felt the break was a good thing to rest and reset the motor a little bit, with the stresses of life off the floor this year. He did admit they attacked practice last week hard, introducing new offenses and sets, and the boys jumped right back in like they never left. 

The Bulldogs will face a difficult task in the upcoming games with the Junior Varsity and C team in quarantine, due to possible close contact with a SWH player Friday night who tested positive for COVID. 

This will leave seven players for varsity, losing Jay Gould, Alex Barraza and Roy Aguilar. Senior Ryan Thompson will change positions from manager to player this week. “This will give us numbers to complete a game without worrying about foul trouble.

 “We mixed things up a little bit against SWH and tried to take them out of rhythm,” he said, “Coming in they were averaging almost 70 points per game, and our guys held them to 44. Another huge stat that jumps off the page is the taking six charges as a team!” Adding, “That is huge for team defense.I felt like we took a big step forward defensively, and I hope we can carry that momentum going forward,” said Wahlmeier. 

But offensively they didn’t shoot well, maybe because the guys were a little rusty and still getting their game legs underneath them. SWH jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, but the guys stayed poised and kept battling.  “We were getting good looks at the rim all night, but we just could not finish,” he explained. “But once they started executing, they got into a rhythm and started rolling.” 

“We are a small team, so we preach how important rebounds are day in and day out and we set a goal to grab 36 boards but we fell short, only grabbing 32,” he said. 

“Senior Joe Mitchell played a heck of a game,” said Wahlmeier. “He didn’t light up the scoring column, but he handled the ball during a full court man press all four quarters finishing with six rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Senior Austin Plunkett had ten points, eight rebounds, three steals, and four blocks. “With an all around performance, he also stepped up and took some big charges for us that ignited us defensively.” 

“Sophomore Kyler Keller was all over the floor making plays, finding ways to score when our offensive was beginning to get stagnant, playing huge minutes without much of a break finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steels, a warrior!” he said. 

Senior Uriel Diaz hit three huge three-point shots which jump started the Bulldog offense and sent them on a run. And defensively Uriel stepped up, took some big charges for them as well. “This was his best all-around game I’ve seen him play so far, he got it done on both ends of the floor and was a huge part of this win.”

Kolbey Brummett, senior, hit a buzzer beater three point shot at the end of the first quarter, giving the Bulldogs some momentum heading into the second, “And defended his tail off all night,” he explained, “It’s a hard task for him each and every night, because he constantly has to guard the other team’s best player.” Wahlmeier knows Brummett might not light up the scoring column, but he feels he does not need to. “What he does for us defensively with his communication and footwork is irreplaceable,” he explained.   

Sophomore Hugo Leyva finished the night with ten points, four rebounds, stepping up to take a couple big charges. “He was getting it done on both ends of the floor and had a tall task defensively by guarding a taller/stronger post, which he rose up to the challenge and performed well,” said Wahlmeier. 

Giving the Bulldogs a breather, coming off the bench were Jay Gould, Alex Barraza, Domanic Weis and Roy Aguilar. “They played at a high level and kept the intensity up defensively, executing and doing the little things right, and as a coach, that is exactly what you love to see your bench guys do,” said Wahlmeier proudly, adding, “If you want to have a great team, you have to have a great bench, and I wouldn’t trade ours for anyone in the state.”

 


Keller 6 0-2 15, Plunkett 3 1-1 10, Leyva 4 2-2 10, Diaz 0 0-0 9,

Mitchell 2 1-2 5, Aguilar 1 2-2 4, Brummett 0 0-0 3, Gould 1 0-0 2.

3 Point Goals – Diaz 3, Brummett 1, Keller 1, Plunkett 1.

Syracuse  13   14   13   18 – 58

SWH         16     7      8   13 – 44

Kyler Keller 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals

Austin Plunkett 10 pts, 11 rebs, 1 assist, 3 steals, 4 blocked shots, 2 charges drawn

Hugo Leyva 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 charges drawn

Uriel Diaz 9 points, 1 rebound

Joe Mitchell 5 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal

Roy Aguilar 4 points, 2 rebounds

Kolbey Brummett 3 points, 1 assist

Jay Gould 2 points, 1 rebound

JV Boys vs. SWH won 48-28.

 


Tuesday night with JV and C team quarantined, Ryan Thompson. filmer and manager, got in the game as an emergency player as well! The team was excited. Stats VS. Moscow: 

Mitchell 7 3-6 20, Keller 6 4-7 16, Plunkett 5 3-3 13,  Brummett 2 0-0 7,

Leyva 1 0-0 2.

3 Point Goals – Mitchell 1, Brummett 1.

Syracuse   17   16   19   6 – 58

Moscow     7     5     8    2 – 22

SPORTS

thumb

STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

thumb

JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

thumb

LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

thumb

JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

thumb

Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

thumb

HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

thumb

SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

thumb

Spring Sports Start

One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]

More Sports


OPINIONS

Day of Action of Thanks

I am sure I just finished typing my last column a few minutes ago. Thanksgiving is in two days and I know November just started.  It’s that time of the year when days fly by, my checklist gets longer, and I am not prepared for anything! We are supposed to go to Cheyenne,... [More]

A Bitter Pill

I swallowed a hard pill last weekend when my daughter and I took a self defense class.    We raise our kids to be better than we were, or at least I hope that is the goal, it is mine.   In the class we were taught to listen to our gut, our instincts. ... [More]

Someone Needs Your Help

    I read a quote by Jack Welch that said, “When you were made a leader you weren’t given a crown, you were given the responsibility to bring out the best in others.” Have you ever had one of those days? You are walking along filled with gratitude... [More]

The World Has Never Been Safe

It’s November! Cool weather, leaves changing color, seasons changing.   How are you doing? I am making decisions about Thanksgiving printing for the paper. It looks like a long weekend beforehand and I will print on Monday morning of that week, publishing Tuesday. ... [More]

A Time to Laugh

My view today, Wednesday, is beautiful - cool, leaves changing color,  mums and pumpkins in my front yard.  I am not quite ready for single digit temperatures except perhaps it will kill the flies!   Just for fun we bought two skeletons that play instruments. They... [More]

Are You Thirsty?

How much water do you drink? Whatever is in my coffee cup.  When I was told I needed to drink more water, I mentioned I’m not thirsty…Ever.    Someone shared with me that people who are dehydrated don’t feel thirst.  As I started drinking... [More]

He Makes A Way Where There Is No Way

Someone  confided in me last week that their life lately had been a rollercoaster of emotions.  I mentioned that is where faith comes in.  This world is a master at filling you with fear.  If you ride the rollercoaster, it will take away everything from you.... [More]

Why Do It?

I spent last Sunday on the couch. I literally did nothing except watch a season of a baking competition show with my daughter.  I kept smiling and laughing at how happy I was to do absolutely nothing.  It felt wonderful.   The push to get to the Kansas Junior... [More]

More Opinions

NEWS

thumb

A is for Agriculture

Hamilton County is known for its agriculture. Farmers, ranchers, dairies, feedyards. We raise animals; 4-H and FFA programs help give youth a better understanding, but not all students have access to these rural resources.  The Kindergarten classes from Syracuse Elementary... [More]

thumb

Celebrating Veterans

“When I raised my right hand at the Air Force Academy, I was 17 years old, like many of the gentlemen in the front row.”   Every year Veteran’s Day celebrations at the McCoy Auditorium get better and better. This year, Syracuse School’s Veterans... [More]

thumb

LOCAL FFA ATTENDS NATIONAL CONVENTION

The 96th annual National FFA Convention was held last week and from as far as anyone can recall, this was Syracuse’s first time to attend.  FFA alumni from 1959 recall going on to the state convention at Kansas State University, but never the national one.  Larry... [More]

thumb

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Boarders Inn & Suites photo - Pictured from Top Left to Right - Francisco Orta, Albani Dowell, Areia Bustillos, Saraya Lewis, Shauna Valentine,  Mayra Orta, Maria Orta, Judy Nielsen 
Bottom  - Left to Right Brandon Herrera, Yadira Portillo, Ximena Portillo, Alexis Worsley  Not pictured - Rebekah Seal, Erica Salgado/photos by Michele Boy

 

Wheatland Electric photo - Shajia Donecker, social media specialist; Alli Conine, director of member services & corporate communications; Nicole Semenko, payroll specialist; Bruce W. Mueller, general manager; Rick Klaus, director of operations; and Kyle Strickert, manager of substations and metering, accept the 2023 Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award from Lt. Governor David Toland (center) at the Kansas Business Awards on Oct. 12, 2023, in Wichita.

Dream First Bank photo - Pictured L to R - Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ï¸ and Dream First Bank President and CEO Chris Floyd at the Banky Awards Event

thumb

The Kansas Cold Weather Rule Takes Effect November 1

The Kansas Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1 TOPEKA – The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin on Wednesday, November 1 and remain in effect through March... [More]

thumb

LARKIN FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF SYRACUSE ROTARY CHAPTER

The Syracuse Rotary club was chartered in 1928 when the Rotary Club of Garden City sponsored Syracuse’s membership. Ninety-five years later, Megan Larkin has become the first woman President of Syracuse Rotary.  Larkin has been a loan processor at Valley State Bank... [More]

thumb

WHARTONS RECEIVE BEEF SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

The definition of sustainability is the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, “the sustainability of economic growth” and the avoidance of depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance, “the pursuit of global environmental sustainability”. ... [More]

Stop Trafficking

We have all done it. You let your kid use your cellphone while you wait in line at the store, or doctor’s office. You know who else does it? Over 500,000 predators, perverts, and pimps.  Some of them are eighth graders luring your child and others. And if your child... [More]

More News

OBITUARIES

thumb

Everett “Butch” Buchanan

Everett “Butch” Buchanan             A mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada, Colorado resident, Everett Buchanan, affectionately known to his family and friends as Butch will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023... [More]

thumb

Larry Gene Holdren

Larry Gene Holdren was born November 16, 1971, in Syracuse, Kansas to Charles Richard and Beverly Jean (Potter) Holdren. He passed from this life on November 24, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado after suffering an aortic tear. He leaves behind many family and friends who... [More]

Martina Pena

            A Mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada resident, Martina Pena was held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar with Reverend Kenny Joe Parlingayan’s.s.s.... [More]

Richard Marquez

A mass of Christian burial for lifelong Granada resident, Richard Marquez will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. A rosary service will be held prior to the mass at 10:30AM with Deacon Allan Medina... [More]

thumb

Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed

Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed, 95, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 25, 1927 in Gentry, Arkansas the daughter of Grover Bules & Devona (Huser) Bules. Dorothy began her life in Gentry, and... [More]

thumb

María Salgado

Mass of Christian Burial for Maria Salgado will be held at 10:00 a.m. and Recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado.  Interment will take place following the Massin the Holly Cemetery.  Visitation... [More]

thumb

Evelyn Youngers

Garfield - Evelyn T. Youngers, 93, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at home.  She was born June 9, 1930 in Ost, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Helen (Schauf) Marx.  She was a supportive farmer’s wife and a loving mother of twelve children. On May 18,... [More]

Chad Allen Myers

Chad Allen Myers, 51, Spring Hill, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 6, 2023 with a Celebration Of Life at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2023 both at Spring HillUnited Methodist Church, 112 E. Nichols Street,... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries