Area News | Home | Marketplace | Community

Return to Sports Archives


Paynesville Press - November 28, 2001

Dogs ready for good year

By Andy Jones

Dan Savage The Paynesville boys' basketball team is looking forward to a good season this year with many talented and dedicated players.

Guard Dan Savage, grabbing a rebound during a practice drill, is one of six seniors on the team this winter. The Dogs play their first game at LPGE next Monday, Dec. 3.

The Bulldogs' started the season with 20 players, but due to Minnesota State High School League rules they could only have 16 on the squad. Those who remain after cuts include: senior captains Aaron Lang, Andrew Jones, and Wes Lieser; returning senior letterwinners Jonnie Schefers, Danny Savage, and Ryan Whitcomb.

Kevin Mehr is the only junior with previous varsity experience. He is joined by Tommy Flannigan, Riley Flanders, Chris Fuchs, Eric Miller, Josh Price, Todd Stelling, Josh Teicher, and Milan Virant.

Adam Kampsen is the only sophomore on the team. Kampsen started for the Bulldogs last year as a freshman, and he looks better than ever this year.

Steve Little returns as the Bulldogs' head coach for the second season. The team's record last year was 5-18. Little expects the team to win at least 10-12 games this year.

Joining Little on the coaching staff are two new faces: B-squad coach Philip Carlson and C-squad coach Ross Engelstad.

Carlson, a math teacher at the high school, has ten years of coaching experience, six of which were as head coach. He coached Eagle Valley for five years and coached at Sauk Rapids last year.

Engelstad, who teaches second grade, has two years of coaching experience, coaching junior high basketball in Willmar.

Returning to assist Little with the varsity will be his younger brother, Mark, and last year's ninth grade coach Tony Bylander, who was unable to coach this year due to his busy schedule as a student.

The Bulldogs open their season next Monday, Dec. 3, at Long Prairie with a game against the LPGE Thunder, a conference favorite. The Bulldogs play their first home game next week against Dassel-Cokato.



Contact the author at paypress@lkdllink.net   •   Return to Sports

Home | Marketplace | Community