Redskins Hope for Return Trip to Topeka

Two of the last three years, the Liberal Redskins qualified for state under coach Drew Gruver’s guidance. Last year the Skins dipped to 11-10 after seasons of 17-6 and 19-4.

The Redskins lose Kowan Russell (7p 5r), Kedrick Eyle (5p), Bryce Johnson (3p), Justin Andrade (7p), and Blake Willimon.

The Redskins return one of the top players in the state in future K-State football player 6’4" Jade Cathey. He scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds a game last year. He averaged 12 points and five rebounds as a sophomore. Tyson Deaton, a 6’3" rebounding maching averaged six points and 10 rebounds a game last year. Bryan Morris returns the most backcourt experience after he scored three a game last year. Other key seniors include 6′ Bryce Lamas, 5’10" Slader McVey returns after injuries sidelined him last year, and 6′ Preston Myers is injured and will be out 6-8 weeks. The juniors and sophomores are inexperienced. Juniors 6’2" Kenlee West, 6’3" DeVondre Livingston, and 5’10" Osvaldo Villareal. Key sophomores are 6’2" J.J. Lewis, 6’3" Ismael Diaz, 5’6" George Fitzgerald, and 5’10" "Bobo" Ross is expected to start tonight. He is the son of late 80’s Redskin great William Ross.

The Redskins have boasted winning seasons in six of the last seven. They haven’t won a game at state since the school’s all time leading scorer Martin Lewis led them to a third place finish in 1993. This team has a chance to be a good one if their guard play develops and they continue to dominate on the boards like they did last year (31-23 advantage per game). Liberal opens at Holcomb Friday night on Talkradio 1270 and kscbnews.net. Coach Drew Gruvers’ interviews and air before and after each game on KSCB.