South Newton Basketball visit Kentland Rotary

Rotarian Kevin Wiley, center, hosted guest speakers South Newton basketball coaches Steve Stitz, left, and Jim Sammons, far right, at the Monday noon luncheon meeting.  

After two consecutive very disappointing basketball seasons, South Newton made a coaching change, not to something new, but to something with a history of success.  They rehired former head coach Mike Hall who has a proven formula for small school basketball success.  According to JV coach Sammons, during his previous 20 year stint at South Newton, head coach Mike Hall's teams had a winning percentage of 58%. They won 5 Sectional Titles and played McCutcheon for a Regional Championship before the change to a class system. Certainly respectable for a small school. 

 The present South Newton basketball team features only three senior players with substantial varsity experience and mostly underclassmen with promise but a lack of  experience.  Although the Rebels have won only two games so far this season, that's a big improvement over the last two seasons.  Judging from coach Hall's past record, we can expect that the players will gain more confidence, become more competitive and achieve what it takes to win high school basketball games. 

 On Saturday, February 16, 2013 The Kentland Rotary Club will be serving a Pancake Breakfast from 6:30 a.m. --- 10: 00 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Kentland (adjacent to Cast Park).  Tickets can be purchased at the door or from Rotary Club members for $5 for adults.  Children 3 and under are free.  Come and visit with your neighbors and helps support Rotary projects.  

 Brandt Stum

Kentland Rotary Club