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The Dayton Bulldog basketball teams will wrap up pre-season practice sessions this week ahead of next Tuesday's home opener against Highland. The game is the first of four games in five days that will get the 2024-25 hoops season off to a rousing start.
These seven Lady Bulldogs will bring their experience and strengths to the upcoming basketball season, which opens at home Tuesday against Highland. From left are returning lettermen Cindi Howard, Peyton Benavides, Lila Hutchens, Jaelynn Chapman, Teagan Culley, Alexa Jones and Marisa Tupling.
A challenging season awaits this group of Dayton Bulldog hoopsters, who will be the nucleus of this season's basketball team and its hopes for play into the post-season. The team opens against Highland next Tuesday, December 3, on the home maple. Returning lettermen, from left, are Duane Moore, Christian Gonzalez, Raymond Yutzy, Beau Hazelbaker, Jordan McCowen, Denver Hutchens and Colton Steinhoff. Not pictured: Tristan Rennaker and Carson Potter.
By Loyal Baker
DAYTON–The Bulldog Basketball season will get started in the coming week, with the Dawgs hosting Highland next Tuesday, December 3, on the home maple. Jayvee action starts at 4:30 p.m., with the Lady Bulldogs playing at 6 p.m. and the Bulldogs taking the floor at 7:30 p.m. Watch the Dayton Events and Activities Roster basketball schedule ad in Dayton Chronicle throughout the season for up-to-date scores and scheduling.
Practices have been underway for both teams, coaches said this week.
The Lady Bulldogs will jump right into the 2024-25 season with four games next Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, says second-year head coach Jorie Aukerman.
"We have eight returners," Aukerman said, and with seven brought up from the eighth-grade class, she'll have 15 players in uniform. "The numbers will allow us to practice with five-one five. We will have a junior varsity team."
Aukerman is excited about the season, noting that she sees her squad being competitive against league foes. "I hope we start the season strong," she said, "so that the strong start gives the team confidence.
"We're going to be able to compete well this year," she said, "and hopefully pick up where we left off."
The Lady Bulldogs got a lot of games in over the summer, Aukerman said, facing teams from Pomeroy, College Place and Wa-Hi JV.
Aukerman is assisted by Morgan Poche.
Clayton Strong returns to the helm of the Bulldog boys team, again assisted by Clay Hutchens.
Strong has 15 players out for pre-season workouts, with one on the injured reserve list.
Over the summer, the Bulldogs held workouts in the gym, focusing on fundamentals, Strong said. He had four or five players making practices on a consistent basis for four sessions a week.
He sees the Wheat Division as very competitive, with Dayton's biggest challenges coming from Tekoa-Rosalia, Garfield-Palouse and Pomeroy. Oakesdale will be well coached and shouldn't be overlooked, he said. And in the Grape Division, with Liberty Christian, DeSales and Sunnyside Christian, Strong sees a "brutal" time ahead for everyone in the league hoping to advance to the post season.
