By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Donald Raymer is back for his third year as head coach for Marions boys basketball with assistant coach Dawson Raymer.

Eleven players are returning from last year, and 10 of them have varsity experience.

Caden Wilhelm, Jack Lanning, Cooper Bailey, Cole Smith, Jonathan Frese, Luke Watkings, and Luke Wessel are bringing with them starting experience and are expected to be contributors.

“The season outlook is to get 1% better each day, show improvement each day, and get off to a fast start here at the beginning of the year,” Coach Raymer said.

Adding depth are Mitch Norris, Brayden Blackman, Christopher Beery, Carson Krause, and Kadon Mercer, all of whom have been performing well in practice, Raymer said.

Additional members to the team include Harrison Berry, Keenan Lange, James Rohloff, Bryan Barrel, and Eli Klenda, all of whom also have improved since the start of practice this year, according to the coach.

“We are working really hard each day at implementing our offenses and defenses for the season and trying to learn how to continue to grow as a unit,” Raymer said.

“We have had a few roadblocks here early on due to injuries and sickness.”

Marion open its season Friday on the road at Goessel.

“They will be a great test for us early on,” Raymer said.

“Coach Guhr (Goessel) always has a very tough and disciplined team who plays hard the whole game. I hope we can match their intensity and discipline and see if we can score a few more points when it is over with,” Raymer concluded.