Bears look to improve this season

NORTH ENGLISH — The English Valleys boys’ basketball team will look for a bounce-back season this year, and they’ll be doing it with a new head coach.

Zach Weilbacher, who was hired as the school’s athletic director this summer, will also be the Bears’ new head coach.

The Bears went 3-20 last season and will be returning two starters from last year’s team, Everett Bender and Tyler Lortz.

Bender averaged seven points per game, and Lortz averaged 5.4. Lortz also led the team in three-pointers last season with 29.

Juniors Kane and Ben Axmear also return with varsity playing experience.

We’re very young this year.“ Weilbacher said. ”We should have a lot of speed with goals to compete more in the conference and improve everyday.“

Coach Weilbacher hopes to see fewer turnovers from the team this season.

“I want to cut down on turnovers compared to last year and make teams earn everything,” Weilbacher said.

The Bears begin practice Monday and kick off the season with two scrimmages. The first will be Nov. 22 at Columbus Junction and the second, Nov. 25 at the home Jamboree, which will have a slate of four games.

The first official games will be Dec. 2 vs. HLV-TC and Dec. 3 at Iowa Valley.

JAMBOREE SCHEDULE

At English Valleys High School

6 p.m.— Winfield Mt. Union vs. HLV-TC

6:45 p.m.— Springville vs. Iowa Valley

7:30 p.m.— Lone Tree vs. Pathway Christian

8:15 p.m.— English Valleys vs. Highland