Oak Ridge boys preview: Oak Ridge seniors adjust to third coach in four years

~ Former Jackson JV coach Martin will guide the Blue Jays this season.

For the six seniors on Oak Ridge's roster, coach John Martin is the third coach in their high school careers.

Despite the likely transition period the Blue Jays will experience early this season, an experienced Oak Ridge squad will try to build on one of its most successful seasons in recent history.

"They're adjusting to me and I'm adjusting to them," said Martin, who was an assistant coach at Jackson. "The kids have to be patient; it's a building process. If we work hard and get after it in practice, I look for us to have a successful season."

One thing the Blue Jays can count on this season is the play of 6-foot-2 senior post player Austin Hahs. Hahs led the team in scoring and rebounding last year, averaging 18.7 points and 15.4 rebounds a game.

"He's a tough kid," Martin said. "He's very hard-nosed, very competitive. Obviously, we'll be looking to get him the ball. The biggest thing is we need to make sure we get the other kids involved."

Jon McMillan, a 6-1 senior forward, and 6-3 guard Johnny Price each started at times for Oak Ridge last season. Oak Ridge also returns several players who saw varsity action off the bench last season.

"We've got a little bit of experience," Martin said. "Right now the biggest thing is just trying to gel as a team, getting team chemistry down. We have a long way to go yet."

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OAK RIDGE BOYS

Coach: John Martin, first season

Assistant: Jeff Beck

Last season: 10-14

Conference: Mississippi Valley Conference

Returning starters

Austin Hahs 6-2 Sr. F

Jon McMillan 6-1 Sr. F

Johnny Price 6-3 Jr. G

Rest of roster

Zach Buchheit, 6-0, Sr., G; Cody Cook, 5-10, Sr., G; Tom Pohamus, 6-0, Sr., F; Ryan Pohlman, 6-0, Sr., F; Josh Hormann, 6-0, Jr., G; Walt Ruesler, 5-8, Jr., G; Lance Felter, 5-9, Jr., G; Dustin Owens, 6-1, Jr., F; Dylan Abbott, 5-10, So., G

Schedule

Nov. 22 -- at Saxony Lutheran, 6 p.m.

Nov. 28-Dec. 3 -- Woodland tournament

Dec. 6 -- Delta, 6 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- at St. Vincent, TBA

Dec. 13 -- Saxony Lutheran, 6 p.m.

Dec. 16 -- Valle, 6 p.m.

Dec. 26-30 -- SE Missourian Christmas Tournament

Jan. 6 -- at Leopold, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 -- Zalma, 6 p.m.

Jan. 17 -- Marquand, 6 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- at Greenville, 6 p.m.

Jan. 24 -- Oran, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30-Feb. 4 -- Mississippi Valley Conf. tournament

Feb. 7 -- Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Chaffee, 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 -- at Perryville, 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- Bismarck, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 -- Leopold, 6 p.m.