Three seniors lead Wauneta-Palisade boys’ basketball

    The 2022-23 season was a tough one for Wauneta-Palisade boys’ basketball.
    Mike Sorensen signed on to be the school’s activities director and boys’ basketball coach, but passed away in August before the school year started.
    Co-Head Football Coach Joseph Frecks stepped in to lead the basketball team, as well, after classes began.
    The team faced nine teams with at least a .500 record and had two games canceled because of the weather. One was against state qualifier Paxton and the other against South Platte.
    The regular season started with a win at the buzzer over Wallace and ended with a double overtime victory at home against Arthur County.
    The joy and excitement in the locker room with the Wallace win is something Frecks will remember, as well as the Arthur County game showing that his Broncos never quit.
    The parent and fan support was outstanding throughout the entire year, as well, according to Frecks, and they were especially loud and supportive against the Wolves, which helped fuel WP to a tremendous effort.  
    The Broncos’ only other win was Dec. 9 over Decatur Community, Kansas at the Cattle Trail Tournament.
    WP lost three games to state qualifiers Dundy County Stratton and Maywood/Hayes Center.
    WP finished the season with a 3-18 record.
    Still, Frecks found many positives with the season.
    “Our win-loss record was not what we wanted it to be, obviously we work very hard to win games, but we never only measure our success by wins and losses on the scoreboard. We measure our success on attitude, effort and lessons learned, often times through adversity,” he said.  
    As coaches, Frecks and Assistant Coach John Kershaw had the ultimate goal to use sport to help guide, teach  and prepare these boys to be successful men after graduation.  
    “Based on this ultimate goal and the way this team worked, competed and represented our school this year, it was a successful season.  This group of boys showed a tremendous amount of heart and character by continuing to learn and work even through some tough and disappointing times throughout the season,” he added.
    The Broncos were led by seniors Michael Duvel, Jacksen Littrel and Kyle Jutten.
    This year was the third straight season Jutten and Duvel played in at least 20 games and the second for Littrel.
    “The leadership from our seniors was a big part of that.  Jacksen, Kyle and Michael worked very hard throughout the year and I am proud of the way they have each grown through their four years of high school. I look forward to seeing the things they will accomplish beyond high school,” Frecks said.
    Littrel led WP with 120 rebounds and eight blocks, while tying for the lead in scoring for the Broncos with 8.7 points per game. Littrel was second in assists and steals.
    Duvel was third in scoring, assists and steals.
    Jutten and Duvel tied for third with 88 rebounds and 22 assists.
    Sophomores Grayden Sutherland, Ashton Wheeler and Aden Acton played in at least 20 games.
    Wheeler had a team high 45 steals and tied Littrel as the Broncos leading scorer with 8.7 ppg.
    Sutherland led WP in assists and was second in rebounding with 103.
    “I want to thank the boys, parents and school for the opportunity to coach this boys’ basketball team,” Frecks said.  
    “This is an outstanding group of boys, who based what they have proven about their attitude, effort and ability to learn from and respond to adversity, will without a doubt become truly successful men,” he added.