Bears will open new season at home on Thursday
LAUREL — The Bears basketball teams will get the new season started this week.
The JV and varsity boys and girls basketball squads will host Siouxland Christian on Thursday. The LCC teams travel to Crofton Friday.
The Bears basketball teams will each play 11 games in December. Only three of those games will be at home, however.
The LCC boys return plenty of experience as four starters are back from last year’s 14-10 team.
“With four returning starters, we have the experience to be able to go with a press defense and an up-tempo offense this season,” said Coach Todd Erwin.
Izac Reifenrath is the lone senior among the four returning starters and is one of the leading scorers from last year’s team. The 5-foot-11 senior will likely be the quarterback of the Bears offense on the floor this season.
Juniors Ty Erwin and Noah Schutte are both back this season. Schutte has matured and developed into one of the top scorers in the state in Class C-2 and can play anywhere on the floor, while Erwin has grown four inches to his current height of 6-foot-1 and has the ability to shoot the long ball, as well.
Sophomore Cael Hartung got some quality time last year, and the 6-foot-2 forward will be a force inside, coach Erwin said.
The LCC girls are expected to have plenty of experienced athletes on the court this year. Six girls with starting experience will be back this year.
Senior all-conference honoree Lorna Maxon leads the list of returning starters, five of whom are seniors.
She is joined by fellow seniors Sydney Chapman, Madisyn Hall, Bethany Kardell and Katelyn Steffen. Junior Makayla Forsberg is also a returning starter for the Lady Bears.
The Lady Bears will once again compete in the Great NE Neb. Shootout in Wayne over the Holiday break. LCC will take on Norfolk Catholic in their first tourney game on Dec. 27.
LCC Boys Schedule for December
Nov. 29 Siouxland Christian
Nov. 30 at Crofton
Dec. 4 at Homer
Dec. 7 Emerson-Hubbard
Dec. 8 Randolph
Dec. 11 at Ponca
Dec. 14 at Plainview
Dec. 18 at Bloomfield
Dec. 27-29 Great NE Nebraska Shootout
LCC Girls Schedule for December
Nov. 29 Siouxland Christian
Nov. 30 at Crofton
Dec. 4 at Homer
Dec. 7 Emerson-Hubbard
Dec. 8 Randolph
Dec. 11 at Ponca
Dec. 14 at Plainview
Dec. 18 at Bloomfield
Dec. 27-29 Great NE Nebraska Shootout
