Even losing 7 players from the successful 2023 team, the Rebels have plenty of experience coming back.  “We return a group of seniors with a lot of experience this spring,” acknowledged head coach Bill Ibach, now in his fifteenth season.  “We lost some big bats and will have to find a way to score runs without them.  We return a lot of solid pitching and are very deep in that area.  I feel like our strengths are pitching and defense, and our weakness might be the lack of extra-base power.  Sometimes guys step up and fill that, but if not, we will have to manufacture some runs.”

Returning letter winners include seniors Austin Anderson (P, OF), Landon Johnson (P, IF), Peyton Aas (P, IF), Brody O’Keefe (P, 1B), Nick Waale (P, OF), Adam Moe (P, OF), Ethan Clemenson (P, 1B), Jack Haugen (IF, OF) and Jacob Severtson (1B), and juniors Alex Anderson (P, OF), Dylan Anderson (P, IF) and Cayson Bergee (P, IF).

The Rebels will also be looking for varsity contributions from Wes Hoover (C), Tanner Cadwell (P, OF), Camden Schreiber (IF, OF, P), Camden Altobelli (P, IF), Brad Sererus (P, OF) and Will Martin (OF).

Serving as captains will be Austin Anderson, Landon Johnson and Peyton Aas.

Assistant Coaches are Brant Mickelson, Damien Crawford (JV), Shane Tahran (C-Team) and Bryant Bergeson (Volunteer).

“Perham has been the team to beat in our conference for a while now,” stated Coach Ibach.  “Pelican Rapids has some great pitchers returning who were injured last year and they will be tough, too.  I think the whole conference is much improved and that will lead to a very competitive regular season.  When it comes to Section 8AA, I don’t know a lot about the teams up North, but East Grand Forks, Warroad and Roseau are always tough, and I know that Thief River Fall was pretty young last year and they will be good.”