Tigers ready to be contenders

The Morris Area boys' basketball team has eight varsity players returning to the roster this season.

Returning starters include junior guard Cory Hennen (averaged 10.5 points per game), junior forward Lincoln Arnold (13 ppg, 4.6 rebounds per game, and three assists per game), junior post Jackson Henrich (10.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg), senior post Chris Scott (12.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg), and senior guard Taylor Nohl (8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Others returning with varsity experience are senior guard Tyler Meichsner, sophomore forward Eric Riley, and sophomore guard Daniel Tiernan.

Others expected to see playing time are senior guard Matt Wulf, senior center Josh Love, junior forward Corey Nohl, junior guard Grant Gagner, junior forward Mitch Carbert, and sophomore guard Travis Rinkenberger.

The Tigers lost only two players to graduation from last season, Ben Ehlers and Kirby Sayles. The Tigers were 10-14 overall.

"We were really young last year, starting five sophomores," said Torgerson. "We're still young. Along with our five seniors we start three juniors.

"We also have a lot of depth coming up from the B-squad."

One of the advantages the Tigers will have this season is a balanced team.

"One of our strengths will be balanced scoring," said Torgerson. "We just need some consistency."

With a strong offense, the team has been working on the other side of the ball.

"We need to work hard on team defense and become a better rebounding team to get to the next level," said Torgerson.

If they achieve those goals, Torgerson said he feels the Tigers can be contenders in the conference, as well as Section 6AA.

Torgerson expects Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City will be the team to beat in the West Central Conference South. Benson will also be a challenge with senior guard Aaron Lindahl, who averages 27.5 points per game along with 9.7 rebounds.

At the sub-section level, Staples-Motley will be tough.

At the section level, New London-Spicer is last season's state champions.