Page 105 - 2007.Millard.North

pages by Sarah Sparks and David Merrill

(A.Junior Thomas Jaekels
catches a pass during a Burke
home game. "I liked this
season because I actuall y got
to play and the team was on
TV," Jaekels said. photo by
Kristen Block B.Senior Matt
Conahan goes for a layup
against Millard West. "It was
great to win against our cross
town ri vals at their home
court," Conahan said. photo
by Kristen Block]

The Mustang basketball program continued their streak of excellence this season. The JV boys team
finished with a solid 13-6 record and the varsity team reached the state tournament for the second consecu-
tive season.
The leadership on the varsity team was key in achieving the team's goal of making the state tournament
for a second year. Seniors Derrik Spooner, Matt Conahan, Brian Roling, Collin Horton, Kyle Coury, Adam
Muehling, Ben Byers, Greg Fonda, and Austin Gilinsky proved their work ethic both on and off the court,
helping to develop the skills of the JV players so they could win a spot on the varsity team.
"It will be cool to be a senior player for the Mustangs and be at the top of the basketball ranks at this
school, so I can carry on the Mustang tradition," junior Thomas Jaekels said. Jaekels played on both JV
and varsity teams this season. The JV team finished the season 13-6, winning their last eight games of the
season.
The Mustangs went to the state tournament on a wild card this year, as they were the runner-up in their
district. The Mustang fans known as "The Stable" followed the team to Lincoln to see their team play the
defending state champion Omaha Central in the opening round of the tournament. The boys played evenly
with the Eagles in the first half and went into the locker room at halfime with a 24-22 lead. Central pulled
away in the second half however, eventually overcoming the Mustangs 72-55. Senior Derrik Spooner led
the Mustangs with 21 points in the hard fought battle as the varsity finished their season with a 16-8 record,
which was a big improvement of their 12-10 record last year.
Head coach Chip Bahe felt his team represented the school very well.
"This team believed in what Millard North athletics has always been about and that is team first. They
also had a great knack for finding a way to win," Bahe said.

Dustin Bergmeier, guard, 11

Chip Bahe, varsity head coach