Eagles’ preview

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NORTH ROBINSON — Colonel Crawford’s boys basketball team will take to the courts under familiar leadership. Head coach and athletic director David Sheldon is entering his 11th season as coach. Under his tenure, Crawford has had a record of 160-73, including 16-8 last season while going 11-5 in Northern-10 Athletic Conference play. He will be joined by assistant coaches Nate Hill, Brett Kaple and Zac Bauer.

The Eagles lost some key players to graduation from last year’s sectional champion team. Owen Adams averaged 16 points per game, Derek Burkhart added 10.6 and Will Kirkpatrick.

Colonel Crawford will have some good returning talent. Junior Brody Martin averaged 8.6 points en route to N-10 honorable mention honors. Harley Shaum returns after averaging 6.7 points and 5 last year. Hayden Bute will also be back for coach Sheldon. After a successful year on the football fields, Bute will bring his talents to basketball. He averaged 3 rebounds and 4.5 points.

Other key prospects to keep your eyes include: senior Heath Starkey; sophomores Zye Shipman, Owin Seevers and Jacob Maley; and freshmen Cameron McCreary, Jordan Fenner, Reis Walker, Gavin Feichtner.

The base offense for coach Sheldon’s squad will be motion and sets and their base defense will be man-to-man. The team does lack varsity experience. but will look to “continue a strong tradition of success of our program with five straight secitonal championships,” Sheldon said.

As far as a team strength, Sheldon says, “we have a good balance of post and gaurd play.”

The Eagles hope to be competitive in the N-10. After winning the league title in the 2014-2015 season with a 23-2 overall record (17-1 in the league), Crawford found itself third last year. Upper Sandusky won the league, going 23-1 overall and a perfect 16-0 in the N-10. The Rams look to be tough again this year with returning Player of the Year Wes Vent back for his senior campaign. Buckeye Central finished second in the league last year at 17-7 and 12-4.

Regular season play starts for the Eagles on Dec. 2 when they host Mansfield Christian.

Members of the Colonel Crawford basketball team huddle before a game last season. The Eagles lost some talent to graduation and need some young players to grow up fast (Photo courtesy of the Colonel Crawford Athletic Department) Colonel Crawford’s Heath Starkey, center, seated, on Tuesday announced his intent to play baskeball at Ashland University after high school. Also attending a news conferece were his mother Karen, Dad Brad and brother Hunter. (Submitted photo)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/11/web1_team-photo-boys-basketball.jpgMembers of the Colonel Crawford basketball team huddle before a game last season. The Eagles lost some talent to graduation and need some young players to grow up fast (Photo courtesy of the Colonel Crawford Athletic Department) Colonel Crawford’s Heath Starkey, center, seated, on Tuesday announced his intent to play baskeball at Ashland University after high school. Also attending a news conferece were his mother Karen, Dad Brad and brother Hunter. (Submitted photo)

Colonel Crawford’s Heath Starkey, center, seated, on Tuesday announced his intent to play baskeball at Ashland University after high school. Also attending a news conferece were his mother Karen, Dad Brad and brother Hunter. (Submitted photo)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/11/web1_Heath-Starkey-1-.jpgColonel Crawford’s Heath Starkey, center, seated, on Tuesday announced his intent to play baskeball at Ashland University after high school. Also attending a news conferece were his mother Karen, Dad Brad and brother Hunter. (Submitted photo)

By Chad Clinger

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Heath Starkey makes college pick, Page 7

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