Ted Kern in his 21st season at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High School and his 11th as head coach with the Knights will be fielding a team with a lot of new players. He and long time assistant Darren Gravley will be putting together a team that should be better as the season moves along.

It was the end of the “Triple Bretts” era as fine players Brett Peterson and Brett Vercruysse have graduated. That leaves only Brett Knudsen, who will be asked to do a lot more things this season then he’s had to do in years past. Isaiah DeRuyter and Dain LaRock are two others with experience on the court and will be looked upon heavily as well.

Five kids expected to move up and contribute in the extremely tough Camden conference will be, Ryan Fischer, Wyatt Kirk, Kaleb Larsen, and Jerry Wichern. Adjusting to the speed and physicality of the varsity game will be key as these guys move forward.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton squads always work hard, but lack of size and experience will make it tough to achieve last year’s 14-10 record. The Knights schedule is full of teams that will be in or near state ranked levels. Squads like Canby, Dawson-Boyd & Cedar-Mountain-Comfrey are tough conference foes. Add in Southwest Christian to the list for possible section contenders. Spirited games are always had as well with Highway 14 rival Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and then Minneota.

Coach Kern’s teams are always one to never underestimate. The “Knight Way” is ingrained in the youth from the first time they touch the basketball. These kids know what to do, it’s just a matter of executing the game plan effectively.

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