More senior basketball players anticipate season play
Newly-appointed head varsity coach Zach Neal was eager to start the season this fall and get the team off on a good foot after helping former coach Ahrens round out a successful season that ended in District play last spring. Then, in mid-November, just as the team was getting ready to begin this year’s conference play, schools were closed, sports events and practices were cancelled, and the team was back to square one.
As they waited for the season to start, which recently was announced to be this coming week, the Mirror has been featuring this year’s seven senior players.
Devin MacKenzie, the son of Elyse and William MacKenzie, is in the top half of his class. He has played point guard, shooting guard, and small forward this year, but in prior years he has played nearly every position.
Starting out in the basketball program in seventh grade, he played for four years, took his 11th grade season off, and is back this year for his senior season.
He’s happiest that being on the varsity basketball team has taught him how to work hard. “During my freshman year, my work ethic clicked with my former coach, Coach Bennett,” he says. “I’ve used that work ethic in every aspect of my life since.” And he says there’s nothing he would want to change about his experience. “I found that taking 11th grade off worked out for the better,” he adds.
Devin is committed to Jackson College to run cross country, and will participate in the automotive program there, after he graduates.
Ryan Mann, the son of Tom Mann and Sue Mann of Manchester, is a senior with a 3.8 GPA. He has played basketball each year since seventh grade, and has enjoyed working with all of his coaches as he learned the skills of the game.
“I love the team aspect of the sport and getting closer to and learning with my teammates,” he says. “I’ve learned so much about teamwork and leadership over the years, and it reflects in my game and my personality.”
What might he change about his experiences? Maybe not getting injured as much, he says, but “after it has happened I realize I’m grateful for it. It taught me hard work and how to overcome tough obstacles.”
Ryan is still deciding on his college options but hopes to eventually enter the medical field.
Jake Messman, the son of Jeff and Rita Messman of Freedom Township, is a senior with a 3.99 GPA. He plays small forward and power forward on this year’s varsity team.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing pickup basketball with my dad and my friends,” says Jake, who’s been playing on school teams since seventh and eighth grade. His regrets about this year include wishing that COVID hadn’t hit and suspended the season.
Jake’s future plans include studying Finance or Engineering at an undetermined four-year university.
Liam Riley is the son of Will Riley and Amy Ahrens. In his senior year, he holds a GPA of 4.0 while playing power forward and center on the varsity team. This is his first year of playing basketball.
“I’ve enjoyed the season so far, and I can’t wait to start playing in games,” he says. “I had never decided to play before but I thought it would be fun to play my senior year and I’m glad I decided to do it.” Now, he wishes he had played basketball all four years!
Liam’s future plans are to attend trade school and become an electrician.
Cade VanBogelen, the son of Eric & Danielle VanBogelen, is playing power forward and center in his first year of basketball.
“I hadn’t played much before, but I do enjoy playing with friends,” he says. He now wishes he had played longer.
His future plans include going into a trade.
Next week, the Mirror will start bringing you results of the team’s efforts during the upcoming season. Coach Neal, the seniors, and the entire varsity basketball team look forward to a successful and fun 2021.
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