In honor of a fallen Marine

Early last week as we were in the process of printing our Thanksgiving edition, we learned of the tragic death of 20-year-old United States Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Hand. Hand was laid to rest early this week after. He killed on November 22 in an exchange of small-arms fire in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan while support Operation Enduring Freedom. After attending Park Hill High School, he graduated early from Oak Park High to enlist at age 17. He deployed to Iraq in April of 2008 for a tour lasting seven months, allowing him to return and spend the holidays with his family. In late October of this year, Hand was deployed again in a second tour of duty, this time to Afghanistan. The second-oldest of ten siblings, he saw the Marine Corps as a second family and performed the job of a squad leader with a great sense of duty. Hand approached the Corps much the same way he lived his life, disciplined, patriotic, and with a smile. Well-liked and encouraging to his peers, when he returned he was considering college and pursuing a career in politics. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Nicholas' name may be made to Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

Having not known him very well, but seeing him on various occasions, I was able to see his pride and dedication to the Marines on display because it was evident to those around him. For those of us who were fortunate to know him, even by associate, we are grateful. Thank you for your valued service and dedication to our country along with the happiness you’ve share with those closest to you. Our thoughts go out to your family.

Trojans Swim & Dive team looks to constant improvement as key

After winning their conference the two previous years, it was dissatisfying for the Park Hill Girls Swim and Dive team to come up short by finishing second in last year’s conference meet. But that leaves all the motivation in the world for Karl Haley’s team coming into this year.

Haley tries to focus his team on the importance of two meets all season: conference and state, where they finished 24th last year.

“We point all of our training towards two meets,” Haley said. “All the other meets are tests that occur along the way.”

They want those meets to be their best performances. In fact, last year each member of the team accomplished not only their best individual showings of the season in those meets, but also in their careers. The Trojans strive for that kind of constant improvement in order to get the kind of results they want when they matter most.

“We expect the same this year,” Haley said of his team’s approach.

Like all competitors, Haley says it’s about who can work harder and smarter than their opponents. With another successful swim program not too far away in rival Park Hill South, it’s an easy motivator for members of the team. Battling a rival for that top spot year after year makes it mean just that much more.

Park Hill will return several proven members of their team from last season. Brynn Guardado and Kori Wagner were a part of the team to set the school record in the 200 medley relay last year. Both were named all-state honorable mention. Guardado in the 200 free, 500 free, 200 medley, and 400 free relay events. Wagner in the 200 medley relay event. Kaley Hensel was also honored as an all-state honorable mention for her performances in the 100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay. On the diving side, Eleanor Parrott returns after being a state qualifier. Erin Flagler, Halle Musfeldt, Molly Pennington, Hannah Pennington, Hannah Rank, Hannah Reichert, and Erin Barry round out the rest of the team as returning lettermen.

The Trojans’ big meets of the year will be their own Park Hill Invitational in early January followed by the KC Classic later in the month.

Trojans look to fast-paced approach, intense defense to reach next level

A 14-13 record last year for the Park Hill Boys Basketball team was just enough to declare their first winning season since 2002-2003. Gradual improvement for third year head coach David Garrison is what he’s looking for though. A foundation in place, the Trojans will be looking to take another step forward this season.

With first-team all-conference forward Justin Leathers and returning starter Chris Nsenki coming back alongside seniors Steven Clark, Bryan Willis, and Austin Kepler, Park Hill will be looking to use their athleticism to put pressure on Suburban Conference foes this season. Juniors Anthony Walter, De’Aris Flint, Nathan Wilson, Burt Taylor, and Brady Kreitzer will all be in the mix of what will be a team with good depth.

Garrison’s approach to the game focuses on basic defensive fundamentals: not fouling, blocking out, and rebounding.

“If we can do that every game, we’ve got a chance to win regardless of how we do on offense,” Garrison said. “After that it just comes down to decision making.”
The Trojans have stuck with a simple man-to-man defensive approach ever since Garrison took over the coaching position in 2007, but with the depth and ability of some of his players this year they may look to get away from the basket a little more and take their defense into the full court.

As is normal at this stage in the season, the Trojans have been working their bodies into game condition. Not only is there a focus on the physical side, but also the mental. A lot of time early on has been spent on making good decision and getting a good shot selection each time down the floor. Successfully handling situations late in the game is the goal of the early attention.

“You better be playing your best towards the end (of the game) or you’re not going to be successful,” Garrison said of the importance of playing well at the right time.

One thing the Trojans know for sure is that the next step forward won’t be easy as they’ll face top competition in what seems to be a loaded conference schedule. Park Hill South, Winnetonka, Truman, and defending champion William Chrisman all have different strengths they’ll have to compete against.

“You have to come and play every night because you’re playing against some outstanding coaches and players,” Garrison said. “You’re playing a 32-minute basketball game and if you have a bad three minute stretch it could come back and cost you.”

Lady Trojans return experience, tough defense

One of the good things about being thrown into the fire is that the next time it isn’t quite as bad. The Park Hill Girls Basketball team has reached that point with eight returning lettermen on their squad this year. Five of them are seniors, who bring back strong experience after having seen significant playing time since their sophomore year. Coming off an 11-15 season last year, the expectations are much higher coming into this season.

With a team who will showcase their quickness and athleticism, you won’t see a lot of size on head coach Brian Rockers’ team. His tallest player, Katy Plummer, measures 5’11” and returns as the team’s leading rebounder after averaging 6.7 boards and 9.8 points a game in her junior campaign. Also returning will be leading scorer and all-conference, all-district first team honoree, Laura Bennett who averaged 11.5 point per game last season. Emma Gossett returns with her average of 4.8 points and will play a big role in bringing energy to the defensive end which will be key for the fast-style of play the Trojans look to put into motion. Seniors Spenser Rhodus and MacKenzie Janner will be vying for a starting spot, but will contribute nonetheless in the rotation.
“We’ve talked a lot to them about what they need to do,” Rockers said of his seniors. “We’re expecting a lot out of them, not only on the floor, but off the floor and in terms of leadership.”

Look for Sophomore Kyleesha Weston to lead the Trojan offense as she returns at the point guard position after improving over the summer and becoming more comfortable running the offense. Juniors Helena Hudson and Liza Hill round out the returning letter winners after being in the mix as sophomores last year.

Rockers believes his team’s success will rely a lot on whether they can produce points and if their shooting continues to progress as the season goes on. Having confidence in a high-speed, attack defense that features both the ¾ court trap and man defenses, the Trojans will have to convert what they hope will be turnovers into points.

“In order to play fast, you have to put the ball in the basket,” Rockers said. “If the ball is going in (the hoop) coming into February, we’ve got a chance.”

Key matchups for the Trojans will include two games against rival Park Hill South, defending state champion Platte County, and two games against Truman. If things work out the way Park Hill hopes, that second game against Truman could be for a share of the conference championship.