TEAM: Rock Creek Mustangs

CLASSIFICATION: 4A

LEAGUE: North Central Kansas

COLORS: Black & Silver

SOCIAL MEDIA: @RockCreekJRSR on Twitter

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

12/6 at Jefferson County North
12/13 at Sabetha
12/17 vs Marysville
12/20 at Clifton-Clyde
1/7 at Concordia
1/10 at Abilene
1/14 vs Clay Center
1/17 at Chapman
1/21-25 Nemaha Central Tournament (Boys)
1/23-25 Royal Valley Tournament (Girls)
1/28 vs Silver Lake
1/31 vs Wamego
2/4 at Council Grove
2/7 at Marysville
2/11 vs Abilene
2/14 vs Concordia
2/18 vs Chapman
2/21 at Clay Center
2/25 at Wamego 

North Central Kansas League game

GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Trevor Keller (1st year)

2023-24 RECORD: 4-17 overall, 0-10 in Mid-East League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: Last season was a rebuilding one for the Rock Creek girls, who finished with a record below .500 for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. It’s understandable why the Lady Mustangs went through some growing pains, however. After going 14-8 and reaching its sub-state final the year prior, Rock Creek didn’t return any starters or many letterwinners period in 2023-24. There were plenty of positives for last year’s squad, though, led by the senior trio of Brooklyn Plummer, Payton Rottinghaus and Ella Rhodes on its way to averaging 34.8 points per contest.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: The Lady Mustangs are riding a couple different winds of change entering the 2024-25 season. For one, Trevor Keller is taking over the helm of the program after nine successful seasons under coach Adam Plummer. Keller spent five years at Wabaunsee, leading the Lady Chargers to a pair of state title appearances in his tenure there. This is also Rock Creek’s first year in the North Central Kansas League, meaning a swath of new opponents on the upcoming schedule as well. Where the program has plenty of consistency, though, is on its roster, a major and important shift from last year. Six players with varsity experience return from the 2023-24 roster. That begins with a pair of seniors, Hadley Rempe and Mayci Clark. Rempe is one of the top returning scorers for the Lady Mustangs, avergaging five points per game a year ago. The lone returning junior for Rock Creek is also one of its best post presences, Elle Prather. And the lady Mustangs are also bringing back a deep sophomore class, including Lucy Martinie, Kylee Frazee and Acelyn Rottinghaus. The latter is the program top returning scorers and rebounder, averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game a year ago.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “In order for us to have success early in the season, it will be important for us to buy into our new culture while also quickly developing an understanding of each person’s role. This will be our first year in the NCKL and we are looking forward to the challenge of preparing for and competing against high caliber teams on a nightly basis.” — Trevor Keller

BOYS

HEAD COACH: Justin Smith (3rd year, 33-14)

2023-24 RECORD: 18-5 overall, 8-2 Mid-East League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: After an undeniably successful first year under coach Justin Smith in 2022-23, the Rock Creek Boys took an even bigger, more head-turning leap in 2023-24. The Mustangs went 18-5 last season, battling through a brutal Mid-East League schedule to a sub-state championship and an appearance in the 4A state tournament. That was the program’s highest win total since picking up 22 victories back in the 2020-21 season. Rock Creek averaged 59 points per game last season while holding its opponents to just 46 points a night. Three Mustangs received all-league honors last season, the team’s last one as a member of the Mid-East League. That included a pair of seniors, first-team honoree Brady Schneider and honorable mention Daegan Vinduska.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: The Mustangs have set a lofty standard for themselves with their remarkably consistent success in recent seasons, and a boatload of wins and a deep postseason run are undoubtedly the expectation again this season. A pair of starters from last season are back this year, led by first-team all-league pick Coley Burgess. The now-senior averaged 13.3 points per game a season ago. Ryker Zoeller is the Mustangs’ other returning starter after averaging 5.7 points per game last season. Those starters are two of the nine returning letterwinners for Rock Creek in 2024-25. Gavin Rosa will look to take on an even bigger role after scoring 5.5 points a night last year. Additionally, there will be plenty of minutes up for grabs for other veterans, including Peter Martinie, Karson Toburen, Eli Bell, Donovan Debita, Dylan Jones and Ethan Tonsor. Rock Creek knows what it takes to make it to state, and don’t be surprised to see the Mustangs battling for a championship in Hutchinson this March.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “We are really excited about joining the NCKL. We have always played everyone in our non-conference schedule so we are familiar with these teams. Every night out will be a battle and there are some very high-level teams in the conference.” — Justin Smith

–Brendan Dzwierzynski

To read more Pigskin & Hoops previews, click here to return to the table of contents.