Kalida boys basketball returns experienced nucleus

KALIDA - After last year's tough loss to Wayne Trace in the district finals, the Kalida boys basketball team is looking for even bigger things in 2008-09.

The Wildcats boast a great deal of experience from last year's 17-6 team. Longtime Kalida coach Dick Kortokrax said this year's squad brings a lot of experience to the court.

"We have five starters and seven lettermen returning," Kortokrax said. "We hope to do well in our out-of-conference games and also in our PCL (Putnam County League) games.

"When you are in Division IV, there is some pretty good competition in northwestern Ohio."

In his 33 years at the helm at Kalida, Kortokrax has guided the boys basketball team to an overall record of 536-210.

Kortokrax's most successful team was the 1980-81 squad that won the Class A title. That team posted an impressive 27-1 record.

Before his long run at Kalida, Kortokrax coached at Ottoville and Fort Jennings. In his 15 years total at those two schools, he compiled an overall mark of 226-100. His overall coaching record stands at 762-310 (71-percent winning percentage).

In 1999, Kortokrax was elected to the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Helping to pave the way last year for Kalida was Jordan Basinger (now a junior). Basinger (6-foot-3) averaged 12 points, shooting 59 percent from the field. He also pulled down seven rebounds per game.

Senior Scott Schnipke also averaged 12 points per game. The 6-3 forward pulled down five rebounds per contest.

Senior Matt Warnecke is another key returner for the Wildcats. Warnecke, a 6-2 forward, shot 45 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free throw line.

Justin Kahle, a 5-11 senior guard, was the team leader last year in assists, dishing out more than five per game.

Ryan Kleman, a 6-2 post player, is the other returning starter from a year ago.

Preston Ellerbrock (6-5, senior, center) and Kristopher Osterhage (6-2, sophomore, forward) will also figure into the rotation that Kortokrax will employ.

Kortokrax said his team will have to utilize its quickness in order to overcome its lack of size.

"We really don't have that big guy in the middle," he said. "We're going to do some three-quarter, half-court (defense) to try to take away their height advantage and try to use our advantage of maybe having a little more quickness (than opponents)."

Kortokrax said his goal for this year's team is rather simple.

"To me, basketball is the ultimate team sport," he said. "First, we need to work on conditioning ... secondly, we need to work on fundamental basketball skills. That is what we are striving for, right now."

Kortokrax said keeping his players on the court is always a goal, coming into the season.

"The biggest thing is to stay injury free," he said. "Last season, we battled that early in the season. A school our size cannot afford to have a couple guys out - especially if you are expected to do something."

Kortokrax's squad realizes area teams will be gunning for them. However, the Wildcats are welcoming the challenge with open arms.

"Last year, we came in under the radar," Warnecke said. "This year, everyone wants to get revenge on us. We'll use that to motivate us."

Kalida has won a total of 21 PCL titles. The last league crown for the Wildcats came in 2001. Last year, Pandora-Gilboa won the PCL with a perfect 7-0 league mark, while Kalida was second in the conference at 6-1.

However, Kalida knocked off P-G in the sectional finals, 53-52. Kalida will play host to P-G on December 16.

Kortokrax said the conference will be competitive this year and noted that every game will be a battle.

 "We defeated Pandora in the sectional finals, last year," Kortokrax said. "I know they'll be looking for some revenge."