Quick Change of Season for Indians
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[There's plenty of optimism-and enthusiasm-surrounding the prospects for Du Quoin High School's upcoming boys basketball campaign.
A glance at the 2008-2009 roster shows why fourth-year coach Mike Crews (45-43) is both excited-and apprehensive-about the year ahead.
The dean of area coaches at age 62, Crews hopes a talented blend of youth and experience can translate into even more victories. Last season, the Indians closed strong with a Class 2A Regional crown and a 21-11 record.
All-South and special mention all-staters Evan Booker and Scottie Anders were lost to graduation, along with leading scorer Trey Thompson. Full-time starters Matt Gossett (6'4, jr.) and A.J. Hill (6'3, sr.) are back, along with eight other experienced letter winners. The list includes 6'4 senior post players Dalton Morgan and Seth Flint, 6'5 junior forward Logan Schneider and 6'0 guards Marcus Clarry and Cody Youngman.
"We are optimistic and very excited about the success this team could potentially have," Crews said. "We have a lot of experienced kids back. Some might be a little lean in years, but they have already played a lot of varsity basketball."
Competitive early season practices have fueled Du Quoin's optimism. Despite only six abbreviated practice sessions since football season ended late Friday night, the Indians have 19 players battling for spots on the varsity roster. 11 are upperclassmen.
Hill returns for a third year at forward and will be joined inside by Morgan and Flint. Schneider, Kaleb Tyner (6'3, sr.) and David Rose (6'1, jr.) provide plenty of depth. Hill and Morgan both scored in double figures last season with Morgan's dominating play inside fueling the Indian run to the regional crown. Flint developed into the defensive stopper.
"Inside we are not a huge team," Crews admits. "But we do have kids who are physical with tremendous strength and good athletic ability. There's also a lot of versatility in there."
Gossett developed into one of the area's better players as a sophomore and will see action both facing and backing the basket.
He averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals per game. However, Gossett is one of about a half-dozen Indians who could be slowed by lingering football injuries as the season starts.
The quickest Indian-and another grid standout-Jamor Reed (5'9, jr.), is the point guard. Clarry, Youngman, Cody Rose (6'2, jr.) and Harrisburg transfer J.C. Davis (6'0, so.) join Gossett and Reed in what looks to be a rock-solid guard rotation.
"There's plenty of versatility there and all the kids are pretty interchangeable," Crews said. "And that's a nice luxury to have. I can look down the bench at our 10th, 11th and 12th kids and not really hesitate about throwing them into the fire. They all can play. We have pretty good depth."
Varsity Roster
Seniors-A.J. Hill, 6'3, F; Dalton Morgan, 6'4, F-C; Kaleb Tyner, 6'3, F; Cody Youngman, 6'0, G; Seth Flint, 6'4, F-C.
Juniors-Jamor Reed, 5'9, G; Matt Gossett, 6'4, G-F; Cody Rose, 6'2, F; David Rose, 6'1, F; Logan Schneider, 6'5, F-C; Logan Carson, 6'4; F (injured); Ben Hirsch, 5'10, G.
Sophomores-J.C. Davis, 6'0, G; Sam Kuhnert, 6'6, C; Trent Bigham, 5'9, G; James Williams, 5'10, G; Karson Hoffman, 6'0, F; Seth Baxter, 5'9, G; Chaz Bland, 5'11, F-G; Luchie Porter, 5'11, F; Jerrill Holmes, 5'9, G.
11th Du Quoin
Tip-Off Classic
"The second decade begins"
All games in Anders Memorial Gym
Monday, Dec. 1
Benton 69, Cairo 66
Waltonville 53, Carterville 50
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Waltonville vs. Cairo, 6:30
Du Quoin vs. Carterville, 8:00
Friday, Dec. 5
Benton vs. Waltonville, 6:30
Du Quoin vs. Cairo, 8:00
Saturday, Dec. 6
Du Quoin vs. Benton, 12:30
Carterville vs. Cairo, 2:00
Benton vs. Carterville, 6:30
Du Quoin vs. Waltonville, 8:00
HONOR ROLL OF CHAMPIONS
1998-Du Quoin (5-0)
1999-Shawnee (5-0)
2000-Cairo (5-0)
2001-Cairo (5-0)
2002-Du Quoin (5-0)
2003-Cairo (5-0)
2004-Benton (5-0)
2005-Benton (4-0)
2006-Waltonville (4-0)
2007-Du Quoin (3-1)
SCORING LEADERS
Arthur Williams, Cairo 27
Trevor Meyers, Benton 26
Zach LaBuwi, Benton 18
Joseph Lewis, Waltonville 16
Brad Drust, Carterville 15