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Franklin
Monroe coach Marcus Bixler cuts down some nets a year ago. The
Jets went 24-2
overall and were district champions last season. CNO
Photo by Dale Barger, fmjets.net
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Jets ready to take
flight
New Hangar for FM hoops
By George Starks
Sports Editor
PITSBURG- A 19-1 record in the regular season and a 24-2 mark when it
was all said and done, Franklin Monroe finished second in the Cross
County Conference a year ago, finishing as the regional runner-up to
Houston.
Now the Jets, like so many other teams in Darke County, are a part of a
re-occurring theme.
“We graduated a lot of talent off this team last year,” said Jets coach
Marcus Bixler. “We lost six seniors off that team from a year ago and
they are going to be very hard to replace. The class of 2011 not only
here but in the conference, was an elite bunch. Everyone lost a lot at
graduation last year. We are trying to find a way to fill some shoes
and make sure we compete night in and night out. Everyone will have a
lot of new faces this year.”
With just one senior, Jaden Horner and two juniors on the varsity, it
will not be easy for Bixler in 2012.
“Jaden is a three year starter at the point guard position and we are
fortunate to have him back. His stability and leadership is going to be
huge” said Bixler. “We will go as far as he can take us, especially
early in the season until we get everybody acclimated to the varsity
level. Our other returning letter winner is sophomore Travis Fietshans.
He played a lot of vital minutes for us as a freshman so he provides
some much needed experience in big games and is a consistent offensive
threat for us helping to get points on the board. Other than that, we
are looking at six or seven varsity players that have little experience
that will need to step up and be ready to go right away.”
Not only will Bixler have virtually a new team, he will be playing in a
new and improved ‘Hangar.”
“The kids are excited about having a new place to play in,” said
Bixler. “Everything is new and expectations are high and they are
understanding what it takes to get ready for a varsity level game. We
take a lot of pride in the new gym but it goes father than that and the
enthusiasm is there.”
Bixler added one more aspect of the Jets.
“Attitude. It’s all about our attitude,” said Bixler. “The kids come in
and work hard in practice. Our lulls are very few. They come in ready
to work hard every night and if we continue that, we will have our
share of success.”
The new Hangar will also see a new team in the Annual Jet Holiday
Tournament.
“With Versailles leaving to start its own tournament, we welcome Troy
Christian,” said Bixler. “Coach Zuwalski has really turned that program
around up there. He has people believing in the program there. The
Eagles will bring a different look. There are no county ties here with
them and they bring a good crowd. When the season is over, I want my
kids to be battle tested and Troy Christian will help because they are
a part of our non-conference schedule. We also have Marion Local, Ft.
Recovery and Versailles on the schedule. Three very tough MAC teams.
Our non-conference schedule battle tests us every year. That’s why we
set it up the way we do.”
The Jets will open the 2011-12 season at Tri-Village on Dec. 8.
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