Five Key Dates for Winter Sports

1) Boys Basketball-Jan. 27, 2012
Mark your calendars because on Jan. 27 the Boys Basketball team hosts cross state rival, Rockhurst. This game is played every January and is one of the biggest sporting events of the year for lancer fans and athletes. “The Rockhurst game is one of those nights that you look forward to every year,” senior point guard Alex Schoegler said. “We are excited to get to play them at our house again this season.” In the last three years East is 0-3 against the Hawklets and are looking to change that with a big win his season.  With almost the entire starting roster returning from last year’s team, they should have a good shot at knocking the Hawklets off for the first time since 2008. Two of the last three meetings for these teams have been decided by one possession, so look for a physical and hard fought game that will go down to the wire.

2) Girls Basketball-Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012
Throughout this year’s seniors careers, they have never been able to beat one team: Olathe South.The Falcons have attributed to several heartbreaking losses throughout the last three years against the Lady Lancers, including last season’s 59-43 loss near the end of the season. Senior Caroline Nick is one of four seniors on this year’s team and she can’t wait to get another crack at South. “They are the one team we have never been able to beat and I know we all would really like to take them down,” Nick said. “We have a really strong team and it would be a really big win for us to get some momentum at the end of the season.” Look for this game to be a really physical and go down to the final seconds. “This team has a lot of potential and could really surprise some teams this season,” Nick said.

3) Swimming-Feb. 16th-18th, 2012
The Lancer Swim team is coming off of a very disappointing end to last season. As the team headed into the state tournament, they felt they had a very good shot at winning state for the 6th time in 7 years. However, rival Blue Valley North was able to take the title away from them. This season, the Lancers have high hopes as always, and with a very good group of seniors coming back, the state meet is what they are looking forward to. “We really feel good about our chances this year,” senior swimmer Jack Sayler said. “Obviously the whole season is important but what really matters is what you do at state so that is what we are looking forward to this year.” The Lancers will not want to lose to BV North for the second year in a row, so it should be a hard fought battle during the four times the two teams meet this season.

4) Wrestling-Friday Dec. 16, 2011
Last season the Lancers had two Sunflower League champions: senior Blake Hill and junior Gavin Jones They also had five state placers including Jones, senior Ben Randolph and the three Hill brothers, graduated senior David and seniors Blake and Blaine. Aside from David, all of these placers are back for the 2011-2012 season. This group of returning placers should help the team do very well this season. “We have such a well rounded team and if they put in the effort they should be successful this season,” head coach Chip Ufford said. “We just need to build off success we have had in the last couple of years.” The team has many other seniors coming back hoping to help make an impact on the team, including senior Tyler Nelson. “We have the talent to win districts and league this year,” Nelson said. “We were runner up last year and just need to continue to work hard throughout the season to get ready.” On Dec. 16 the team will face district rival SM South for the first time of the season. The SM South match is always very heated so it should be one not to be missed.

5) Bowling- Feb. 15, 2012
With only four seniors coming back this winter, the bowling team will be looking to underclassmen to step up for them throughout the season. As always, the biggest time of the year comes at the end of the season with state and regionals, but another big meet will be on Feb. 15 at the Shawnee Mission Varsity Meet. “[It is] one of the only varsity meets of the year so it’s very important,” head coach Patty Kennedy said. “We are always very excited for the season and should have a good year.” Since this will be the only time that all the Shawnee Mission varsity teams will face off together, it should be a heated battle for the District Championship.