Bearcats Preview: Freeman Academy/Marion

<p>The Bearcats are a co-op that is made up of Freeman Academy and Marion High School. This is a unique co-op as Freeman is a private school and Marion is a public school. The co-op and relationship have gone well and the schools have been together for 6 years. FAM plays in Region 5B and they are members of the Great Plains Conference. The Bearcats have the potential to be a dangerous team. They bring back experience, reliable scoring, length, and athleticism. If it all comes together, this could be a special year for the Bearcats. Read below for quotes from coach Unruh, information on players, and the Bearcat schedule. </p> <p>Look below, the Bearcats bring back 4 players that averaged double figures in points last year. Few teams can say that. FAM is going to be the real deal. </p> <p><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329955 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/FAM-Bearcats-Shield-Maroon-Gold-crop-2689x1766-1637187703-300x197.png" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bearcat Strengths from Coach <em>Austin Unruh</em></strong></span></h3> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>- Long and athletic</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Buy in = We become a great defensive team</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Potentially very dangerous</em></strong></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach <em><strong>Unruh</strong></em> on why he is excited about the upcoming season</span>:</h4> <p>"<em>We performed well at all of our team camps and more importantly had great turnouts for our off-season open gyms and individual camps.</em>" </p> <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Bearcats</strong></span></h2> <p><strong>Cayden Floyd (2022) |6-3 G/F|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 11.7 ppg, 7.3 ppg. He has two years of varsity experience, and Floyd is ready for a big senior year. Cayden is long and athletic. He is a versatile player that can score in many ways and Floyd can guard multiple positions on defense. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963800" first="Kelby" last="Hett"] (2023) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.4 apg. Kelboy brings athleticism to this backcourt. He has a consistent and impressive mid-range pull-up game. Hett will be one of the team’s best on-ball defenders. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963799" first="Keegan" last="Hett"] (2023) |6-1 G|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 11.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.6 spg, 3 apg. He is a skilled and well-rounded player on both ends of the court. Keegan can get to the basket and score in a variety of ways. He is also a tough defender. Expect Keegan to lock up with the opposing team’s best player. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1227932" first="Dawson" last="Kautzman"] (2023) |6-1 PG| </strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 13.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.1 apg. This player puts in the most time in the summer and it has paid off for him during the season. It is easy to call Dawson a gym rat, which is a huge compliment for any basketball player. Kautzman will run the 1 for the Bearcats. Expect big things from Dawson and FAM this season.</p> <p><strong>Gage Gilbert (2023) |6-5 F|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 6.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg. He is the length and size that this squad needs to get to the next level. Gilbert had a great off-season and he has really come into his own. Most people will not recognize him as the same player. The Bearcats will rely on his leadership and his versatility to play in and out. Gage is going to be a difficult matchup for most squads. Gilbert and the Bearcats are going to be an intriguing team from 5B. </p> <p><strong>Cody Barnett (2022) |6-0 F|</strong></p> <p>Last season stats: 3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg. He is a big-bodied player who is not afraid of contact. At the same time, Barnett is the best 3-point shooter for the Bearcats.</p> <p><strong>Braden Routier (2024) |5-9 G|</strong></p> <p>This kid works his tail off. Braden never quits and he is always working. Look for Routier to be an NRG player and a spark plug on both ends of the floor. He might be young, but Braden is a vital piece of this team. </p> <p><strong>Brennan Glines (2024) |5-11 F|</strong></p> <p>He is a do-it-all forward. Glines is an athletic player that boards up and he flourishes in his role. </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coach <em><strong>Unruh</strong></em> talks about expectations heading in the season</span>:</h4> <p>"<em>We return 4 starters and our top 2 reserves this year. We should be competitive with everyone on our schedule and hopefully look to battle for a conference championship.</em>"</p> <h2><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BEARCAT SCHEDULE</span></strong></h2> <p>December 14 @ <strong>Centerville</strong></p> <p>December 17 vs <strong>Ethan</strong> @ Freeman Academy</p> <p>December 21 @ <strong>Tripp-Delmont/Armour</strong></p> <p>December 29 <strong>Hoop City Classic </strong>vs. <strong>Howard </strong>@ Sandford Pentagon</p> <p>January 4 vs <strong>Oldham-Ramona/Rutland</strong> @ Freeman Academy</p> <p>January 8 vs <strong>Mitchell Christian @</strong> Marion</p> <p>January 11 vs <strong>Avon </strong>@ Freeman Academy</p> <p>January 14 @ <strong>Flandreau Indian School</strong></p> <p>January 15 vs <strong>Scotland</strong> @ Marion</p> <p>January 18 vs <strong>Canistota</strong> @ Marion</p> <p>January 25 @ <strong>Bridgewater-Emery</strong></p> <p>January 27 @ <strong>Irene-Wakonda</strong></p> <p>February 1 vs <strong>Marty</strong> @ Freeman Academy</p> <p>February 4 vs <strong>Viborg-Hurley</strong> @ Freeman Academy</p> <p>February 8 vs <strong>Gayville-Volin</strong> @ Marion</p> <p>February 10 vs <strong>Andes Central/Dakota Christian</strong> @ Marion</p> <p>February 13 <strong>DWU Classic </strong>vs <strong>TBD</strong> @ Corn Palace</p> <p>February 15 @ <strong>Alcester-Hudson</strong></p> <p>February 17 @ <strong>Menno</strong></p> <p>February 19 <strong>Great Plains Conference Classic </strong>vs TBD</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/FAM-crop-1682x1105-1637187580.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1329950" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/FAM-crop-1682x1105-1637187580-300x197.png" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p>