Perryville boys preview: Lacking experience, Pirates impress coach with intensity

There won't be much experience or size for Perryville's boys this year, but coach Joel Roth still likes what he has to work with.

"We don't have size or experience, but as far as intensity level, this is the best since I've been here," said Roth, entering his third season. "We're young, but there's as much potential in this group as any of my groups."

The Pirates were 11-14 overall last year, but finished 6-3 in the Jefferson County Conference and would have tied for the title with a victory in their final game.

"We were pretty happy last year, and I think it could be a similar season," Roth said. "We could struggle early because of our inexperience, but I feel like we will end up being very competitive."

Perryville returns just one starter in 6-foot-4 junior forward Rick Dunn, who averaged about 11 points per game.

"He's probably one of the better players in our conference," Roth said. "He's really our only player with any varsity experience, and we're really going to count on him."

Roth will also look for production from several players off last year's junior varsity team, including point guard Michael Fritsche, guard Ryan Schilling and center Tyler Bauwens.

"Fritsche had a lot of potential, and Schilling is the best athlete on the team, no doubt about it," Roth said.

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PERRYVILLE BOYS

Coach: Joel Roth, third season

Assistant: Tyler Abernathy, Art Dickinson

Last season: 11-14

Conference: Jefferson County Conference

Returning starters

Rick Dunn 6-4 Jr. F

Rest of roster

Andrew Mahurin, 6-2, Sr., F; Michael Fritsche, 5-9, Jr., G; Ryan Schilling, 5-11, Jr., G; Tyler Bauwens, 6-1, Jr., C; Corey Lorenz, 5-10, Jr., G; Ryan Lorenz, 5-11, Jr., F; Jordan Hemmann, 5-8, Jr., G; Trevor French, 5-9, Jr., G; Bryan Sargent, 6-0, Jr., F; Jonathan Hecht, 6-0, So., F; Craig Brueckner, 5-11, So., F

Schedule

Nov. 28-Dec. 3 -- Potosi tournament

Dec. 10 -- Ste. Genevieve (at Heartland Hoopfest), 9 a.m.

Dec. 13 -- at Fredericktown, 6 p.m.

Dec. 26-30 -- Park Hills Christmas tournament

Jan. 4 -- Kelly, 5 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- Herculaneum, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9-14 -- Chester, Ill., tournament

Jan. 13 -- at Festus, 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 -- De Soto, 5 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- at Crystal City, 5 p.m.

Jan. 21 -- at Chester, 3 p.m.

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

Jan. 26 -- at Notre Dame, 5 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- at St. Vincent, 3 p.m.

Jan. 31 -- Sikeston, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 -- at St. Pius, 6 p.m.

Feb. 7 -- at Windsor, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- Hillsboro, 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 -- Oak Ridge, 6 p.m.