DARLINGTON — The Redbirds were 20-5 last season, including 13-1 in the SWAL, and won the regional title. This year, Darlington hopes to follow a similar path, but will have to do so without some of its top leaders. 

“Our goals will be to compete for a conference championship and to be a competitive team despite losing three first-team all-conference players,” said Darlington coach Tom Uppena.

Graduating in the offseason were first-team all-conference players Carter Lancaster, Cayden Rankin and Curtis Stone. Lancaster (19 ppg) finished his career as second in the school’s all-time scoring list. In fact, Lancaster, Rankin (12 ppg) and Stone (10.1 ppg) also finished as the team leaders in scoring, assists and rebounding.

Back for the Redbirds are six letterwinners, including two honorable mention recipients and some dynamic guard play. Senior Hunter Hardyman (10 ppg, 3 rpg), sophomore Will Murray (9 ppg, 5 rpg) and senior Easton Evenstad (7 ppg, 3 rpg) all return, with Hardyman and Murray earning honorable mention all-conference honors. Also back are seniors Braden Davis, Ethan Schuchart and Ethan Hendrickson.

“We have some really nice returning players, so getting our younger guys on the same page with them to develop chemistry will be the challenge early,” Uppena said.

New to the team include junior Carver Fitzsimons and sophomores Brady Long and Carter Murray. 

“Brady brings 3-point shooting and ball handling, while Carver and Carter bring length and athleticism,” Uppena said. “Teamwork and a strong work ethic will be the two things that will get us where we want to be. These guys are motivated to show what they can do.”

The SWAL is one of the toughest small school conferences in the state. 

Darlington won the conference, but lost to Saint John’s NW Academy in the sectional semifinal. Cuba City, which finished second to the Redbirds in the regular season, made the sectional final before losing to The Prairie School, which had beaten Fennimore (third in SWAL) in another sectional semifinal. Mineral Point (fourth) saw its season end to Cuba City in a regional championship. Southwestern also finished .500 in league play last year, fifth overall. Cuba City and Southwestern each bring back two all-conference players this season.

“Cuba City, Mineral Point, and Southwestern are the teams I expect to see at the top of the conference at the end of the year. They all have experience coming back and some very talented players,” Uppena said.