2024 Pigskin & Hoops Preview: Lyndon Tigers Basketball

TEAM: Lyndon Tigers/Lady Tigers

CLASSIFICATION: 2A

LEAGUE: Flint Hills

COLORS: Orange & Black

SOCIAL MEDIA: @LyndonHSTigers on Twitter

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

12/6 at MdCV
12/10 at Cair Paravel
12/13 at Burlingame
12/17 vs West Franklin
12/20 at Mission Valley
1/7 at Council Grove
1/10 at Wabaunsee
1/14 @ Chase County
1/17 vs Osage City
1/21-25 Flint Hills League Tournament
1/28 vs Colony Crest
1/31 vs KC Christian
2/7 at Olpe
2/11 vs Lebo
2/14 at Central Heights
2/18 vs Waverly
2/21 at Madison
2/25 vs Herington

Flint Hills League game

GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Megan Heckel (2nd year, 11-10)

2023-24 RECORD: 11-10 overall, 5-3 in Flint Hills League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: Last year’s Tigers were the embodiment of resilience, battling through a late-season four-game losing skid and bouncing back with three wins in their final four regular-season games. The year ended with a sub-state quarterfinal loss to Kansas City Christian in a one-score game, but it was an impressive run to that point for coach Megan Heckel’s group. In fact, it was a run that saw Lyndon improve its win total by two games overall. That made it the program’s first winning season in over a decade. Allie Kneisler led the turnaround campaign on the floor for the Tigers, earning first-team All-Flint Hills League honors.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: This is newfound territory for Lyndon, having not finished above .500 in many years, but it’s an exciting time for a Tigers group that brings back plenty of contributors from last season. The theme for this year will be continuing to build on that upstart success and taking it another step farther as a program. There’s a strong base to build upon too, with numerous contributors from last season back again. That includes Kneisler, who was also an all-state honorable mention as well, as the on-court leader for the Tigers. She’ll be joined by teammates including Leanne Shoup and Jaedyn Segrist, among others, as the core of this year’s squad.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: (Coach Heckel did not respond to our request for additional information.)

BOYS

HEAD COACH: Ryan Haskins (1st year)

2023-24 RECORD: 25-1 overall, 7-0 in Flint Hills League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: The 2023-24 season was among the greatest years in this history of Lyndon basketball. The Tigers came one game shy of running the rack, winning their first 25 games of the year before falling to Moundridge in the state championship game. A senior-laden team, Lyndon more than doubled the offensive output of their opponents last season, averaging 65.7 points per game while allowing just 32.4 points per contest. Four of those seniors received All-Flint Hills League recognition, led by a unanimous first-team selection for Tanner Heckel. Jalen Massey and Kaedin Massey both received second-team all-league nods, while Daxten Miller earned an honorable mention.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: For a multitude of reasons, this will be a nearly brand-new Tigers program in 2024-25. One major reason is roster turnover; eight seniors and all five starters from last year’s team have graduated, many of whom are now playing sports collegiately. What’s more, after Michael Massey spent 17 years as Lyndon’s head coach, Ryan Haskins is ushering in a new era this year at the head of the bench. He’s no stranger to the school, having been there now five years, and he’s tasked with leading this young group of Tigers into their next stage. The new core comprises five returning letterwinners from a year ago, starting with James Marcotte, who averaged four points per game in reserve action. Look for Drew Coffman, Lucas Griffin, Koby Isch and Grant Wolzun to all take big strides with increased playing time in 2024-25.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “The league will be very balanced this year. We are excited to have added Cair Paravel and Wabaunsee into the FHL. There will be no easy games in the league this year and we could see more upsets than in years past.” — Ryan Haskins

–Brendan Dzwierzynski

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