Swather boys return starting 5

HESSTON — With the entire starting lineup returning, the Hesston Swather boys’ basketball team is poised to make some noise in the Central Kansas League and Class 3A rankings.

Greg Raleigh begins his 10th season as the Hesston head coach. He is 169-35 at Hesston and 354-131 in his career. He is assisted by Matt Flaming and Garrett Roth.

Hesston was 21-2 last season, 8-1 in CKL play.

Returning starters include Ben Bollinger (6-4, sr., F, 4.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Jackson Humphreys (6-3, sr., F, 6.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Braydon Schilling (6-5, jr., G, 8.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Nick Arnold (6-2, jr., G, 7.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Cason Richardson (6-2, jr., G, 16.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg).

Other returning letterwinners include Braden Esau (6-1, jr., G, 2.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Ty Schroeder (6-3, jr., G, 2.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Brayden Bruner (6-0, sr., G) and Jake Proctor (6-2, so., G, 2.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg).

Also back is Max Werner (6-1, jr., F), who missed last season with an injury.

Raleigh looks for Hoisington, Lyons, Hillsboro and Haven to be among the top contenders in the CKL this season.

Top non-league opponents include Buhler, Lakin, Goodland and Southeast of Saline.

Schedule

(Subject to change)

Dec. 4 @ Southeast of Saline

Dec. 10-12 @ Goodland Inv. TBA

Dec. 15 Smoky Valley

Dec. 18 @ St. John-Hudson

Jan. 5 TBA

Jan. 12 @ Nickerson

Jan. 15 @ Smoky Valley

Jan. 19-23 @ Hillsboro Trojan Classic

Jan. 26 Central Plains

Jan. 29 Buhler (B 4:30 p.m.)

Jan. 29 @ Buhler (G 6 p.m.)

Feb. 2 Pratt

Feb. 5 @ Lyons

Feb. 9 Hoisington

Feb. 12 @ Hillsboro

Feb. 16 @ Halstead

Feb. 19 Larned

Feb. 23 Haven

March 1-6 Sub-State TBA

March 10-13 State @ Hutchinson Sports Arena