Kee boys basketball team returns starting five in large group of nine returning letterwinners for ‘16-’17

The 2016-2017 Kee boys basketball team will benefit from the return of nine varsity letterwinners from a squad that finished 7-16 last season under first-year head coach Patrick Sullivan. Within those nine returning veterans are the Hawks’ five late-season starters who also helped Kee to a 5-10 mark and eighth-place finish in the Upper Iowa Conference (UIC).

With five of those letterwinners being multi-year varsity veterans, that large collection of returning experience includes a group of seven seniors and two multi-letterwinning juniors. Danny Brennan, Evan Whalen and Clay Olson are multi-year senior veterans, with Tyler Reinhart, AJ Gagner, Jon Mooney and Spencer Colsch each being senior veterans from last year. Juniors Eric Rud and Kyle Hitchins complete this season’s list of multi-year veterans.

“I look for them to provide leadership and a positive example for the underclassmen,” Coach Sullivan said of his varsity returnees, noting his team’s depth does not quit there. “I have a couple of talented sophomores who could push for playing time this year as well.”

The Hawks are scheduled to get their season underway Tuesday, November 29 at home against Central Elkader before hitting the road at Starmont and Postville December 2 and 6, respectively. All three of those first dates are scheduled to be girl/boy competitions.

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.