After one-win season, Chaffee begins climb to end losing ways

It has been more than 20 years since Chaffee last posted a winning record, the Red Devils are coming off a 1-22 season and they have their sixth head coach in the last seven years.

Into that apparent mess steps the optimistic Tyson Moyers, a 1995 Chaffee graduate who is determined to help put some stability into a struggling program.

"One of the reasons I wanted to take this job is, being from here and taking pride in my school, I wanted to see it turned around," said Moyers, the head coach of Chaffee's girls last year after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant with Scott City's girls.

"I was talking to one of my seniors one night after practice and he said he's basically had three, four coaches since he's been in high school,"Moyers said. "It's hard to get used to anything. I know this isn't going to be easy, but I've got a good group of kids and they're working hard.

"I'm excited about it.,"he added. "We try to be positive. We're trying to make a change from the junior high level on up. As far as attitude, for the most part, we've already seen a lot of progress with the kids. They work hard."

The Red Devils graduated several seniors from last year, including three starters, which may or may not be good considering their record.

Returning starters are 5-foot-7 senior point guard Brad Urhahn, who averaged about seven points per game last season, and 6-2 senior center Tyler Graham.

"Brad is like an assistant coach on the floor," Moyers said. "He's really a smart player."

Gabe Walter, a 5-9 senior forward, saw considerable action last season.

Six juniors round out the squad. Five played on last year's junior varsity.

Moyers said he is not so much concerned about the record as he is other aspects of the program.

"The main thing we're trying to do is get them to work hard, and I think we've got a bunch of hard workers," he said. "I told the kids it's not about wins and losses this year, it's about how hard they work. We're going to do the best we can with what we've got. For the most part they're good kids and work hard. If they do that, I'll be happy."

Chaffee opens Dec. 3 against Saxony Lutheran.