Young Saxony program will showcase new gymnasium

Last year, Saxony Lutheran enjoyed its first varsity season and posted a 17-6 record.

This year, the Crusaders will celebrate playing in its new gymnasium on its new campus in Fruitland.

"All the kids are so proud to be part of a school that has come so far so fast," coach John Daniel said.

Students were scheduled to move into the building Monday, and the Crusaders planned their first practice in the gym that day. They will play their first home game 3:30 p.m. Saturday against Marquand, the team that ended their season last year in the first round of the Class 1 district tournament.

Saxony Lutheran, which has yet to have a graduating class, returns four starters --all juniors -- from last season and will carry 10 players on the varsity and 19 in the program.

Trey Maevers and Lauren Lueders return in the backcourt, while 6-foot-3 Tim Lorenz and 6-1 Casey Petzoldt will be back along the front line.

Alex Jauch, a 6-2 forward, also returns with playing time from last year.

While it's possible Saxony can build off last year's debut with another winning season, the Crusaders still are young.

"We're evolving," Daniel said. "We're not a mature program yet. We don't have any seniors. We do have depth, and we may play a little differently this year. Several kids will get an opportunity to come off the bench and help us."

Saxony Lutheran's first practices were a bit quiet with several members of the program being a part of the Crusaders' Class 1 state championship cross country team.

Maevers was an all-state runner, while Jauch, junior Grant Lehman and freshman Max Wieser also were part of the seven runners on the state title team.

"We didn't get much done the first week of practice," Daniel said, "but I would love to have that problem every year."

Saxony Lutheran earned some preseason recognition when Lueders was named to the honorable mention list of Street & Smith's preseason All-America girls basketball team. Lueders, a shooting guard, led the team in assists last season.

"I think our opponents and a lot of college coaches took notice of a girl playing boys basketball," Daniel said. "That really doesn't matter to me or the other players on our team. She's a good player who makes the team better."

The Crusaders open tonight at Oak Ridge.