Bell City boys preview: Bogans, Liggins make Bell City state title contender in Class 1

Bell City may have lost coach David Heeb and star guard D.D. Gillespie to Scott County Central, but the Cubs and new coach Brian Brandtner should still be one of the state favorites in Class 1 heading into this season.

The Cubs lost just one senior from last year's team, and will have the services of 6-foot-9 center Will Bogans this season.

Bogans transferred to Bell City from Charleston last year during the middle of the basketball season and thus was not eligible to suit up for the Cubs.

The presence of Bogans, along with the leadership of four-year starter and returning first-team all-state forward Jeff Liggins, should make the Cubs the team to beat among area Class 1 schools.

"We're going to change how we do things, but I expect the same results, if not better," Brandtner said. "We made the final four last year. We lost some kids, but I expect us to be better. I expect us to be back."

For the first time since the Cubs started to make some noise on the state level in Heeb's second year as coach in 2001-02, the Cubs have a true big man. Bogans' size should give him the potential to simply dominate opposing small schools.

"Right now, we're trying to teach him to play fundamentally sound, but he's got unlimited potential and great size," Brandtner said. "He's been working hard, his attitude's great. I expect great things from Will."

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BELL CITY BOYS

Coach: Brian Brandtner, first season

Assistant: Pat Niemczyk

Last season: 21-11, fourth in Class 1 state tournament

Conference: Stoddard County

Returning starters

Jeff Liggins 6-1 Sr. F

Kerry Lasters 6-0 Sr. G

Garrett McIntyre 6-0 Sr. F

Blaine Stewart 5-10 Sr. G

Rest of roster

Nick Niemczyk, 5-11, So., G; Cody Bailey, 5-10, Jr., G; Gary Turner, 5-9, Sr., G; Eddie Green, 5-9, Jr., G; Jonathan Goodman, 6-0, Sr., C; Marty Dames, 6-1, So., F; Phillip Gross, 6-0, So., F; Lerome Segars, 6-0, Sr., F; Will Bogans, 6-9, Jr., C; Melvin Johnson, 5-8, Fr., G

Schedule

Nov. 25 -- Riverbend Classic

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 -- Oran Invitational

Dec. 6 -- Advance, 6 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- Vianney (Heartland Hoopfest), 12:40 p.m.

Dec. 15 -- at Bernie, 6 p.m.

Dec. 26-30 -- SE Missourian Christmas Tournament

Jan. 8 -- Richland, 6 p.m.

Jan. 10 -- at Puxico, 6 p.m.

Jan. 17 -- at Woodland, 6 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- Bloomfield, 6 p.m.

Jan. 23-27 -- Stoddard County tournament

Jan. 31 -- Scott City, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 -- Oran, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 -- at Dexter, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Risco, 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- at Kelly, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 -- at Delta, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 -- at Doniphan, 6 p.m.