Conference: 3A-4
Coach: Keith Tanner (first year)
Assistant coach: Josh Bjorgum
2010-11 record: 10-13 in conference play
Returning starters: Trey Bennett (5-10 senior point guard, 25 points per game); Heath Keene (6-1 senior, 10 ppg, 8 rebounds per game); Konner Johnston (junior shooting guard)
Best inside players: Keene led the Red Devils in rebounding as a junior.
Best outside players: Bennett was All-Conference and All-State as sophomore. Johnston is “a great 3-point shooter,” Tanner said.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? The coach said the Red Devils would be better this year. “We have more experience under our belt and it should carry over to this year,” he said.
Strengths of the team: Tanner said guard play and team quickness should give the Red Devils an advantage over their opponents.
Weaknesses of the team: Size in the post is the most glaring weakness.
Games to watch: With a new coach, the Red Devils’ first few games will be more important than usual. “Getting that taste of success early will be the key to create positive morale among the players, with me being a fresh new head coach,” Tanner said. “I presume that the guys will be excited and ready to roll coming off a successful football season.”
Toughest opponent: Charleston, which reached the final of the regional tournament and fell in the first round of the Class 3A State Tournament; Lamar and Paris, which fell in the first round of the regional. Tanner called all of them extremely well-coached. “They will be our best competition in our conference,” he said.
College prospects: “Trey Bennett is an outstanding two-sport athlete and a brilliant student in the classroom,” Tanner said. “He could go as far as he pushes himself to go.”
In a nutshell: Tanner said the Red Devils’ speed and quickness would enable them to “create havoc for our opponent” and score off their defense as well as be aggressive and attack the basket. “The guys are older and more experienced with more confidence,” he said. “How we will handle adversity will be the huge question. How the guys’ character will withstand the competitive, nonstop nature of a tough opponent that we will face every night is another. I will do everything in my power to try and influence the boys’ character and composure in every battle of the game. I have full confidence in my boys that they are capable to face and compete against any opponent.”