WICHITA, Kan.—
The Wichita Collegiate boys’ basketball team is getting ready for a much-anticipated season. The team is hoping to go much further than the first round of the Class 4A State Tournament as well as improve last season’s 20-4 record.Returning lettermen are seniors Markus Phox, Vafa Behzadpour, Elliot Mann, Sam Brown, Taj Holt and sophomores Jack Copher and Cameron Chugg. Three other notable players are senior Daniel Hullings and juniors Landon Root and Brody Dick.
Head Coach Mitch Fiegel is excited to coach this new team with many different crucial parts, as well as getting a whole year to coach both Root and Dick.
"[Root] is a trench guy who does all the dirty work and likes it,” said Fiegel. “He is a rebounding machine that goes after every loose ball. He is a glue guy; he competes and expects everyone else to do the same.”
Fiegel also is looking forward to the style of basketball the Spartans will play.
"The mojo that we are using this year as motivation is 'more than a one day trip to Salina,’” he said. “We will be more up and down the floor this year than last year, more of a pressing team. [The team] should be very fun to watch.”
Phox, a senior, is regretting that he only has one more season to be coached by Fiegel. Phox says that everyone always has such a great time. Fiegel’s emphasis on the team as a whole makes the team more like a family.
"I'm looking forward to just having fun,” said Phox. “It's been a great run with Coach Fiegel and I'm looking forward to a great year. It's just been fun.”
Root also has high expectations for the season.
"I have a feeling that we're going to do really well this year in basketball; hopefully we'll get a league or even state championship this year," said Root.
The team is geared up to go, and they are just starting their second week of practice on Monday, Nov. 19th. The Spartans will host their annual alumni game the day after Thanksgiving. NBA star Maurice Evans is expected to play for the alumni.
The Spartans open their season on Tuesday, December 4th at the Cheney Basketball Tournament.
