By Tiffany L. Rehbein
For each inch they might short, the Hays/Lodgepole Thunderbirds (0-2 overall) are that much quicker.
Senior guards Casey Martin, Eddie Werk, Tim Werk, and junior Jonas Flansburg are the strength behind that quickness.
Flansburg, Martin, and sophomore James Flying are a threat from the perimeter this season.
Senior Ervin Doney and junior Darwin Doney are strong inside for Hays.
Junior Cody Shambo, sophomore Shawn Shambo, sophomore Russell Doney, and freshmen Nathan Martin and Jon Hawley, at 6-foot-2, round out the roster.
Perimeter shooting and speed will propel the Thunderbirds this season.
Flansburg scored a season-high 34 points in the opening-season 87-58 loss to non-conference Lame Deer on Dec. 10. Shawn Shambo added 13 points, and Martin chipped in 12 points in the effort.
The following night, Flying scored a team-high 12 points, and Martin added 11, as Frazer edged Hays 56-52 at the Native American Classic.
Darwin Doney stands 6-foot-2, while Ervin Doney, Shawn Shambo, Flying, and Hawley are all over 6-foot.
The Thunderbirds' speed not only aides in their offense, but also their defense and full-court pressure.
Head coach Emerson Ramone is in his first year at the helm. He is not new to the program, however, as he coached the junior varsity last season.
Hays looks to play tough against every team it meets this season, and hopes to advance to the Northern Divisional.
The Thunderbirds will host Grass Range in non-conference play on Friday, Dec. 17, and will host Rocky Boy in conference play Saturday, Dec. 18. Wednesday, Dec. 22, Hays will travel to Roy to play its final December game.
Hays/Lodgepole Boys' Basketball Schedule
Dec.
17
Grass Range
6 p.m.
18
Rocky Boy
4:30 p.m.
22
@Roy
6 p.m.
Jan.
7
Turner
6 p.m.
8
Big Sandy
6 p.m.
14
Box Elder
4:30 p.m.
15
@Dodson
4:30 p.m.
21
@Grass Range
6 p.m.
22
@Rocky Boy
4:30 p.m.
28
Roy
6 p.m.
29
@Whitewater
4:15 p.m.
Feb.
4
@Turner
6 p.m.
5
@Big Sandy
6 p.m.
11
@Box Elder
4:30 p.m.
12
Dodson
4:30 p.m.
19
Whitewater
4:15 p.m.
