With most of his starters returning Weleetka’s 4th year basketball coach Johnnie Loggins says he is optimistic that the Outlaws will get back on the winning track in 2022. The Outlaws will return Jonas Manley, a junior who averaged about nine points per game and six rebounds. Also returning is JR Robertson, a sophomore who averaged eight points per game and about 10 rebounds. Weleetka  should also benefit from a move-in this year.

“Braxton Brownlee is a move-in from Paden and is a real good athlete,” said Loggins. “And I’m real excited about freshman Isaac Drake at 6-1. He’s really a point guard but I may use him some as a high post this year because he’s such a good facilitator. He doesn’t shoot much and he really prefers to pass to someone to get the open shot. he averaged a double- double-15 points per game and 10 rebounds- as an eighth grader last year and I’m real anxious to see how he does as he moves to the varsity this year. Our other starter will be Kalen Putman who averaged about four points a game.

Loggins says he also has a couple of freshmen he has an eye on in Waylon Bales, Jeffery Tiger, as well as senior Bradley Lambert. 

“I think we’ll be more competitive this year than any year since I’ve been here,” said Loggins. “I have a group that’s wanting to play with each other and not just see how many shots they can put up. We’ll be young and athletic and I think we’ll surprise some people.”

For the Lady Outlaws they’ll also be trying to get on the winning track after a COVID shortened eight game season in 2020. Coach Sean Dandridge returns four starters led by Emily VanMeter, a senior four-year starter. Another returning senior is Taylor Packer who Dandridge says is a good three-point shooter. The Lady Outlaws will also welcome back Nashoba Holuby who was injured most of last year. Weleetka will draw added strength from junior Lillie Whitlow who is good in the post and gets up and down the floor well according to Dandridge. At point guard will be quick sophomore Ambree Smith. 

“I’m also looking forward to several freshmen who I think will help us,” said Dandridge. “Laryn Manley will be a good reserve player for us at post at 5-8 who also has a good outside shot, Saige Dandridge at point guard will be a help. She’s very quick. And Riley Smith will play some. Riley will probably see a lot of action because she seems to have a nose for the ball and being in the right place at the right time. I think we’ll have a good year. We’ve got a good mix of guards and forwards. We”ll try to play an up-tempo game and I’m hoping by playoffs we can make a deep run.”