Bell City coach CJ Hadley calls his team its own biggest opponent as it prepares for a new season. Why? In a tough conference, the Cubs are going to have to overcome a major lack of depth and hone their defensive instincts if they want to compete.

The good news is that the program returns four of five starters after doubling its win total a season ago. The bad news is that the entire varsity roster features just seven players.

"We're counting on a lot of defense and getting in shape, because we don't have a lot of depth this year," Hadley said. "We know it's going to be a tough district again and we're just ready to play."

The Cubs will be able to lean on experience. Kolten Siebert, Bobby Wright, Peyton Maddox and Cole Nichols all started last winter; the only face missing is Nate Finney, who didn't graduate but chose not to play basketball this year. Familiarity between that group should give the team a solid core.

"It's always good to have starters back," Hadley said. "These guys have been playing varsity since they were sophomores and they've played together a lot, and that's always a key."

Look for sophomore Logan Harrison to grab the fifth starting role, with the hope he will develop into a strong post presence.

Finney's presence as the team's top rebounder last season will be missed.

Beyond the starting five, there is little depth. That leaves Bell City putting a major emphasis on defending and fitness, because foul trouble, tired legs or injuries could derail a team with a short bench.

"I feel like the key for the team is hard-nosed defense without fouling and just getting ready to play every opponent," Hadley said.

"These seven guys we do have, they work their butts off for me. There is no doubting that. .... The hardest thing right now is learning how to guard without fouling and not getting tired."

Offensively, leading scorer Cole Nichols is back after averaging nearly 25 points as just a sophomore. Hadley says no one player will be asked to carry the load, though. It will be a full team effort.

"If all five of my guys don't play together, then we don't stand out," Hadley said. "We don't have just one or two players. If all five guys are playing hard, it's hard to beat us."

A couple of seasons of a youth movement have put the Cubs in a position to continue to improve, but it's not a year without challenges. Hadley believes that it's nothing that can't be overcome if the players buy in to his defense-and-fitness philosophy.

"If we don't do those things, we're not going to have a good season," the coach said. "If we do that ... I think we can do some things."

Players to watch

Hadley is preaching a team-first, defense-first philosophy, but there's no question that the team should be buoyed by another year of experience for its leading scorer, Nichols. The junior proved last year that he can score the basketball, and continued maturation physically and mentally should make him a constant threat. Even if the Cubs need a well-rounded effort to win games, Nichols' contributions will certainly be important ones.

---

Class 1 District 2

Conference

Stoddard County Activities Association

Head coach

CJ Hadley

(3rd year)

---

ROSTER

No. Player Year

2 Taylor Jackson 11

3 Kolten Siebert 12

4 Logan Yates 10

5 Brandon Abner 12

12 Cole Nichols 11

25 Peyton Maddox 12

35 Bobby Wright 11

STARTERS GONE

Nate Finney

STARTERS BACK

Bobby Wright

Peyton Maddox

Kolten Siebert

Cole Nichols

---

SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

11/30 Oran Invitational Tourn.

12/8 Advance 7:30 p.m.

12/11 @Leopold 7:30 p.m.

12/15 Oak Ridge 7:30 p.m.

12/21 @Risco 7 p.m.

12/26 SEMissourian Xmas Tourn.

1/5 Zalma 6 p.m.

1/8 Richland 6 p.m.

1/12 @Puxico 6 p.m.

1/14 @East Prairie 7 p.m.

1/19 Woodland 7:30 p.m.

1/25 SCAA Conference Tourn.

2/2 Bloomfield 6 p.m.

2/5 Oran 7:30 p.m.

2/9 @Dexter 7:30 p.m.

2/16 Saxony Lutheran 7:30 p.m.

2/18 @Kelly 7:30 p.m.

---

LAST SEASON

RECORD

12-15