Two years ago, the Northeast Northaway girls’ sport roster underwent a major overhaul with a huge freshman class. Baylie Busby, Hadley DeFreece, and their great class immediately increased the success of softball, girls’ basketball, and track and field.
Softball was the first team to prevail, battling with Platte Valley for the top spot in the 275 Conference rankings. Girls’ basketball made great strides last season despite injuries and Busby is a two-time state qualifier in track and field.
The Northeast Nodaway boys will be a key part of a Worth County football team that is likely to start the season as the No. 1 team in 8-man football. The Jays will pick up in other sports early in the season.
Here are my storylines to watch in every sport this season.
soft ball
After a combined win over a two-year period, the Bluejays have accumulated 27 wins across the past two seasons.
Hadley DeFreece’s team as a pitcher and Baylie Busby as a catcher played a large part in this success. They also form a very good duo at the top. Jill Boswell and Lindsey Jackson are also strong left side of the infield.
With Platte Valley replacing some big parts, will Northeast Northaway break through in the district tournament this year?
Boys Basketball
Dylan McIntyre and Boston Adwell’s graduation will be discussed again in the baseball segment, but McIntyre was one of the top players in Class 1s last season and Adwell took a starting role last season. The loss of these two leaves some big shoes to fill.
Sophomore Drew Dack is key for the Jays. He was the Jays’ second-best player last season, and the point guard will be considered the top player this year.
Other key returnees include Jack Boswell and Jake Redden up front. Trenton Hartley and Brycen Kennard also had decent minutes last season.
Girls Basketball
This is an exciting year for girls’ basketball, having gone from three wins a year ago to 17 wins last year.
The increased attendance was a huge win for the team as they were able to withstand the injury of one of their stars, Skyler Florea, and continue to progress. Baylie Busby was one of the top scorers and players in the 275 Conference and contributed much of it as a point guard.
Dalanie Auffert and Jill Boswell are seniors this season and they’re doing a lot of things that don’t show up in the stats to strengthen the team. Hadley DeFreece handles shooting and defense from her wing.
Mylee Wilmes and Sasha Deardorff were promoted after Florea’s absence last year, and with the all-round forward and back, the Bluejays have more power than they have in years.
The 275 Conference is packed with girls’ basketball this season, but the Bluejays should focus on competing at the top of the league.
athletics
Baylie Busby is the headliner in track and field and a two-time state qualifier in the high jump. Much of the springtime attention around the Jays will be tracking their progress.
Around Busby, the team has grown in terms of participation over the past year. Mylee Wilmes was impressive as a freshman, while Dalanie Auffert was a mainstay of the team at shots and Kenneth Schieber was the boys’ team leader.
baseball
It hurts to lose a quality pitcher and leadoff hitter like Dylan McIntyre. Brayden Stevens and Drew Dack will likely become the team’s top two pitchers.
Worth County catcher Grant McIntyre, infielder Landon Wilmes and center fielder Tyler New are likely to lead offense alongside Stevens and Dack this season.
That has the potential to form a strong core and the key for first-year coach Cody Green will be developing the depth of this group.
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