The Ridgefield Christian Warriors are looking for a fresh start to the 2023-2024 season and with three returning starters , a deep bench , and a new head coach , the Warriors can make big steps towards improvement . Morgan Colburn takes over as head coach and feels RCS could have as many as 11 players in the rotation . “ We really do have eleven players in our rotation at this point ,” Coach Colburn said . It will probably be trimmed down by the end of January , but for right now we are pretty even across the board .” Senior Sam Ellenburg , along with juniors Evan Ellenburg and Evan Cossey , return to lead the way for Ridgefield . Sam Ellenburg is a great leader and versatile player , while Evan Ellenburg is a good passer and shooter . Cossey also can shoot the ball and proves to be one of the Warriors best defenders . A long list of guys looks to round out the starting lineup and provide depth off the bench . Juniors Ian Mott , Ryan Lamkin , Connor Johnson , and Chayden Adams look to contribute for Ridgefield . Mott and Lamkin can score the ball , while Johnson and Adams are good defenders and rebounders . Sophomores Luke Martin , Will Spencer , Jaxson Ray , and Jacob Ray are looking to make an impact early in their high school career . Martin hopes to provide scoring and rebounding , while Spencer is a good rebounder as well . Jaxson and Jacob Ray are both good facilitators and defenders from the guard spot . Coach Colburn likes what he sees with his guys , “ This team is very resilient and they care about each other . They are grateful to play basketball . A key to our success will be mental toughness and staying committed for the long season .” Look for improvement with the Ridgefield Christian Warriors this coming season .
Coach Wes Sanders Armorel Lady Tigers saw some improvement from a season ago . The Lady Tigers finished 9-21 and will look to continue to improve . Coach Sanders loses four players to graduation . He does return two starters in senior forward Ryleigh Culp and senior guard Anna Loyd . Culp is a force in the lane , establishing herself as a tenacious rebounder and is a threat to score inside anytime she gets the ball . She is also an excellent free throw shooter who can knock them down at any point in the game . Loyd has started for Armorel the last two years and has solidified her role as a leading scorer . She was selected to the 1A-3 all-conference team . She is an excellent ball handler who can get to the basket with ease and is a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor . Coach Sanders has six other players that he believes will see big playing time for the Lady Tigers . Emily Loyd , younger sister to Anna , returns to play guard . The junior will see significant playing time . She is crafty offensively and is a lockdown defender with lightning quick reaction time . Two other juniors return in forward Alexis Gifford and guard Kylee Tillman . Gifford returns to the team and will be opposite of Culp in the paint . Tillman also makes her return to the team and will be a versatile piece for Coach Sanders . Natalie Hardesty is the lone sophomore that will see minutes . She will work as the point guard . She has great court vision . She is a scoring threat from outside and off the drive . Two freshmen will bump up to the high school level and play at guard which include Baylee Van Dyke and Skylar Ashmore . Baylee is a hard worker who will earn her minutes on both ends . She is a great defender and a threat to score from mid-range and outside . Skylar is a gym rat who is constantly working on her shot . She is a threat to score from anywhere outside the three-point line and will earn her minutes being a spot shooter for us . “ We will be a fairly inexperienced team with only three returning players from last year ' s squad ,” told Coach Sanders . “ We are small , but we are quick and play well together . I think we will be able to use this to our advantage on both ends of the floor . I am excited to see what this group is able to accomplish this year !”
The Armorel Tigers are looking to adapt to a new season with growth . Shannon Miller and his Tigers will be playing in the 1A-3 conference . Returning after starting last season will be Jackson Welch ( junior guard ) who has the ability to create chaos on defense . His length gives him the ability to grab steals and create offense . Welch has a pull-up that elevates his game . Jake Byrd ( senior forward ) will be the inside man for the Tigers . Byrd crashes the boards hard which allows him to get stick backs on the offensive end . Coach Miller will be looking for his other players to step up this season . That includes Zach Moody ( junior guard ) who can do multiple things for his team . Having a motor for defense gives him an advantage . His offensive game can be used in multiple ways , whether that be handling the ball or being a spot up shooter , Moody will do what his team needs . Ben Braswell ( sophomore guard ) will be an asset on offense . Creating his own shot on offense gives him the ability to score at different levels . Braylen Williams ( sophomore forward ) has length the Tigers will need on the defensive end . Getting deflection and grabbing rebounds will be a huge role for Braswell . With many players able to cause irritation on defense , the Tigers plan to use that to get quick turnovers which lead to buckets . The Tigers have the ability to push the ball this season which allows them to grab easy baskets in transition . Coach Miller said . “ The key to a successful season will have many factors . One of the primary factors that will determine our success this year is how well our newcomers and those who will be playing more adjust to the speed and physicality of the game . It ' s crucial for players like Barrett Crocker , Kadin and Sebastion Knott , and Bradlee Vardinakis to contribute to our overall success by excelling in key areas . This season , I believe adaptation to the faster pace and increased physical demands of high school basketball will be paramount . As a team , we ' ll need to focus on honing our skills , such as ball-handling , shooting , and defense to ensure we ' re well-prepared for the challenges ahead . Additionally , our collective ability to work cohesively as a unit is vital ; effective communication , understanding our roles , and creating opportunities for our teammates will be essential for success . On the defensive end , disciplined play , effective guarding , and forcing turnovers are crucial . Equally important is our capacity to seize scoring opportunities when they arise .”