I’m back. After being too busy last week working on my feature for the print Flyer and Thanksgiving the week prior, I am back to writing a weekly blog. A lot has happened in the sports world since we last talked so I first would like to give a shoutout to the football team on winning state. Also, winter sports are in full swing now with basketball and wrestling already having competed and bowling and swim either trying out or beginning meets this week. College basketball is also getting into the heart of non-conference games and my Shockers just survived an unnecessary scare at home versus South Dakota State on Tuesday. As for the Yankees, General Manager Brian Cashman announced that Aaron Boone will become the franchise’s thirty-third manager of all time. I am reservedly optimistic about this choice mainly because Boone has been in the broadcast booth for the last eight years and has exactly zero games under his belt as a manager. However, I was reassured after his press conference, where he acknowledged his weaknesses and promised to work on them. This means that the #chasefor28 continues next year.

Winter Preview

Starting off with basketball. Both teams are looking to go back to the state this year. For the girls, look for Ashton McCorry to be a big-time leader for the Eagles, averaging 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last year, look for McCorry to prove to any doubters that her shoulder is back to one hundred percent. I expect that the girls should be competitive in the City League, but watch for how the Eagles perform in its non-league tournament in Newton the weekend of January 26th. As for the boys, look for senior Luke Evans to be a leader for this team and for Tanner Mans and Carsen Pracht to be key contributors as well. Next up is bowling, for the girls, the team will look to replace key contributors who have graduated over the last couple of years, but seniors Allison Maddox and Ryleigh Chaffin look to lead the girls back to state. For the guys, this team is very reliant on senior leadership and will be led by returning seventh place individual state medalist Dillon Malone, Parker Tippin, and other seniors. Watch out for this team, as we have placed ourselves in a place where we can and should be competing for a state title this year. The next sport is boys swim and dive, look for senior Rory Smith to try and help lead his team to a successful season. The final winter sport is wrestling. The boys in singlets will look to dominate teams with some quality wrestlers all around, most notably in the higher weight classes. Seniors Karson Dugan and Aaron Arrendondo along with juniors Brady Bockover, Sean Hallacy, and Ryan Murphy look to counteract the extremely talented lower weight classes in the City League. This has the makings of another great sports season for Carroll. Good luck to all the athletes!