Basketball boys await season start
Manchester’s senior varsity basketball players. From left: Jake Messman, Andrew Corwin, Devin McKenzie, Ryan Mann, Liam Riley, Cade VanBogelen, and Logan Kennedy.
It has been a disappointing season so far for the boys’ basketball team, especially the Class of 2021 seniors.
Following up on a highly successful 2019-20 season, that was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic after the team won the District Championship on March 11, the Flying Dutchmen had ended last season with a 10-12 record and a lot of anticipation for this upcoming season.
“We were confident we could have advanced to the regionals,” said former varsity Coach Mike Ahrens. “The team and staff were extremely disappointed the season ended on this note.”
Newly appointed head varsity coach Zach Neal was eager to start the season this fall and get the team off on a good foot. And then the coronavirus stepped up again. In mid-November, just as the team was getting ready to begin conference play, schools were closed, sports events and practices were cancelled, and it seemed like déjà vu all over again for the team.
As they wait for the season to start, which Friday was pushed back from Feb. 4 to Feb. 22, the Mirror will be featuring this year’s seven senior players.
Andrew Corwin
Andrew Corwin, the son of Jill Corwin and Andrew Corwin, is a guard and forward on this year’s team.
He played in eighth, ninth, and 10th grades, until his sophomore season was cut short by a broken leg. He has most enjoyed having fun in practice during his years in basketball. He says the team “made the most out of the seasons we had, even though we didn’t win much.” His regrets? “I wish I did not break my leg sophomore year so I could have finished the season and allowed me to play junior year.”
Andrew, who currently has a grade point average of 4.07, plans to attend Washtenaw Community College until he is accepted into the electrical apprenticeship program; then he would like to pursue a career in electrical engineering.
Logan Kennedy
Logan Kennedy, son of Melissa and Jeff Kennedy, is a power forward and center.
Logan has played in basketball leagues since first grade, but this is his first year playing for school. His favorite part of being on the team is working together for the win. He wishes that COVID wasn’t around so that the season could be “normal.” His future plans include going to college and “getting a job.”
Coach Zach Neal describes this year’s seniors as “a great group of kids,” and he is eager to get their season under way. Stay tuned. The Mirror will run more profiles of the team’s senior members weekly.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login