Four returning starters gives Scott City boys basketball coach Mark Dannenmueller good reason to believe his Rams can improve on last season's 18-8 record.

The key will be if that returning experience melds well with some fresh, eager faces looking to move up from the junior varsity ranks and make their mark at the varsity level.

"This is the first time in awhile we've had a lot of people returning," said Dannenmueller, whose squad lost to powerhouse Charleston in a Class 3 district semifinal. "They've had almost two years of playing a varsity schedule. It's even better when you can couple talent with that experience."

One thing the Rams lack is size inside, so they will count on depth and desire to fill the void.

"We're not going to be the type of team to throw it inside to a couple 6-5, 6-6 guys," Dannenmueller said. "We will need to utilize our quickness and athleticism."

Dannenmueller also sees a balanced scoring load as being a key to the Rams' success.

"We feel we have multiple guys that can score," he said. "If we can have five guys scoring in double figures, we're fine with that."

If the Rams can have that kind of balanced production game in and game out, they have a good chance to surprise some people and make noise in a tough district.

Players to watch

Two seniors, guards Trent Pobst and Isaiah Berry, join juniors Dylan Keller and Braden Cox as returning starters for the Rams. They represent half of the eight upper classmen returning for Scott City.

Also back is senior swingman Jordan Kluesner, who Dannenmueller said started multiple games for the Rams a season ago.

"It makes it a lot easier to practice," Dannenmueller said. "After 16 practices, there's only been one where it wasn't a good practice. We haven't had to spend a large amount of time teaching new things. We've been able to just tweak a few things here and there."

Three juniors on the roster didn't play on varsity last season for the Rams, but Dannenmueller said there will be stiff competition not only for the lone starting spot remaining but also for significant minutes off the bench.

"I feel like everybody on our roster brings something to the table," he said.

He points to the fact the Rams won the conference junior varsity tournament last season with two players who started on the varsity last season as sophomores.

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Class 3 District 2

Conference

Scott-Mississippi

Head coach

Mark Dannenmueller

(6th year)

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ROSTER

No. Player Year Ht.

1 Dylan Keller 11 5-11

2 Lance Pruden 11 5-8

3 Trent Pobst 12 5-11

10 Ty Wilthong 11 6-2

11 David Smith 10 5-10

21 Nick Bickings 12 5-8

22 Isiah Berry 12 6-1

23 Jordan Kluesner 12 6-1

24 Casey Medlin 11 5-10

32 Matt Groves 12 6-3

33 Braden Cox 11 6-2

34 Jaden Kaiser 11 5-11

STARTERS GONE

Brock Uelsmann

STARTERS BACK

Trent Pobst

Dylan Keller

Braden Cox

Isiah Berry

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SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

11/30 Woodland Invitational Tourn.

12/11 Oran 7:30 p.m.

12/18 Kennett 7:30 p.m.

12/22 @St. Pius X 7:30 p.m.

12/26 SEMissourian Xmas Tourn.

1/5 @Advance 7:30 p.m.

1/7 Cape Central 7:30 p.m.

1/8 @Chaffee 7:30 p.m.

1/12 Delta 7:30 p.m.

1/14 vs. Kelly 2:30 p.m.

1/18 Scott-Mississippi Conf. Tourn.

1/25 Zalma 7:30 p.m.

1/29 @Perryville 7:30 p.m.

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

2/5 East Prairie 7:30 p.m.

2/6 vs. Clarkton 1 p.m.

2/8 @Oak Ridge 7:30 p.m.

2/12 Festus 7:30 p.m.

2/16 Scott Co. Central 7:30 p.m.

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LAST SEASON

RECORD

18-8