Ask News-Gazette prep sports coordinator Fred Kroner about the winter sports
Fred Kroner (moderator) — 12:31 PM on Tue, 12/20/2011
Welcome to another week of prep sports questions. This will be the last chat of the calendar year. We'll return again in early January. Lets get started.
Any chance to get to look at Dave Kreps and the LSA boys basketball team yet or talk to him?
Fred Kroner (moderator) — 12:34 PM on Tue, 12/20/2011
I have not seen the Decatur Lutheran team play, but I did touch base with Coach Kreps. He has a couple of transfers who are starting and doing well. One is from Decatur Christian and the other is from St. Teresa. He is trying to get accustommed to the teams on the schedule. Most of them he is not familiar with because he followed Maroa-Forsyth while his son was in high school. I look for Decatur Lutheran to be in the upper division of the East Central Illinois Conference this season.
Fred,It looks like Tim Beckman is going to get involved in the community.I read where he visited the High School Football Coaches in the area. I believe we need a Coach at U of I involved in what is going on in the community.Hope he can get a staff together. It will take some time before they can be in position and gel together as a staff. Wasn't my pick but do like his enthusiasm.
Fred Kroner (moderator) — 12:40 PM on Tue, 12/20/2011
Hi Bubba. There's no doubt Coach Beckman is energetic and enthusiastic and going about it the right way. He's reaching out to local and area coaches. That has to be a positive. I'm sure he will get a good staff together, sooner than later.
Fred,after Urbana's Big win over Centennial do you think they will now play at a higher level for the rest of the years or it was a 1 time thing?
Fred Kroner (moderator) — 12:44 PM on Tue, 12/20/2011
Hi Bubba. I think Urbana will have games where it does very well, and games where it struggles. I still think a .500 record is realistic for this season. When they play hard and turn up the defense, they're going to be able to convert that into points. Whether they can maintain a consistently high level of intensity remains to be seen, and that's what could be a downfall. This will be a fun team to follow the second half of the year.
Fred,Who do you think will win twin city wrestling title?Cam Mammen will wrestle his first time for the year. See if he is ready to go.
Fred Kroner (moderator) — 12:47 PM on Tue, 12/20/2011
Hi Bubba. I see the team title coming down to Centennial and Central. It won't surprise me either way, but I might give a slight edge to the Chargers. It will be great to see Cam Mammen back in action. It's always interesting to see what matchups take place in these dual meets and which athletes step forward. There are a number of returning champions back and it should make for a fun evening of wrestling tonight at St. Thomas More.
Welcome to another week of prep sports questions. This will be the last chat of the calendar year. We'll return again in early January. Lets get started.
Any chance to get to look at Dave Kreps and the LSA boys basketball team yet or talk to him?
I have not seen the Decatur Lutheran team play, but I did touch base with Coach Kreps. He has a couple of transfers who are starting and doing well. One is from Decatur Christian and the other is from St. Teresa. He is trying to get accustommed to the teams on the schedule. Most of them he is not familiar with because he followed Maroa-Forsyth while his son was in high school. I look for Decatur Lutheran to be in the upper division of the East Central Illinois Conference this season.
Fred,It looks like Tim Beckman is going to get involved in the community.I read where he visited the High School Football Coaches in the area. I believe we need a Coach at U of I involved in what is going on in the community.Hope he can get a staff together. It will take some time before they can be in position and gel together as a staff. Wasn't my pick but do like his enthusiasm.
Hi Bubba. There's no doubt Coach Beckman is energetic and enthusiastic and going about it the right way. He's reaching out to local and area coaches. That has to be a positive. I'm sure he will get a good staff together, sooner than later.
Fred,after Urbana's Big win over Centennial do you think they will now play at a higher level for the rest of the years or it was a 1 time thing?
Hi Bubba. I think Urbana will have games where it does very well, and games where it struggles. I still think a .500 record is realistic for this season. When they play hard and turn up the defense, they're going to be able to convert that into points. Whether they can maintain a consistently high level of intensity remains to be seen, and that's what could be a downfall. This will be a fun team to follow the second half of the year.
Fred,Who do you think will win twin city wrestling title?Cam Mammen will wrestle his first time for the year. See if he is ready to go.
Hi Bubba. I see the team title coming down to Centennial and Central. It won't surprise me either way, but I might give a slight edge to the Chargers. It will be great to see Cam Mammen back in action. It's always interesting to see what matchups take place in these dual meets and which athletes step forward. There are a number of returning champions back and it should make for a fun evening of wrestling tonight at St. Thomas More.