Bulldogs put emphasis on youth, quickness

Notre Dame lost three starters and four key players from last year's district champion team.

But coach Darrin Scott sees no reason to call this a rebuilding year. In three years Scott has a 60-25 record, and his teams have two district titles and lost in overtime in the district final in 2002.

"Even though we're playing quite a few younger players," Scott said, "if they work hard, the goal is to stay competitive."

Bryce Willen, a 6-foot-4 junior wing player and the only returning starter, will give the Bulldogs inexperienced varsity squad leadership on the court.

"He's improved quite a bit, and he's grown probably 1 1/2 inches," Scott said. "He's improved his athletic ability. He shot the ball pretty well for us last year. We just need him to step up in rebounding."

The Bulldogs, who lacked size last season, will again feature a smaller lineup. Along with Willen, several players bring back varsity experience, including guard Frankie Ellis and forward Blake Fisher.

Scott said the smaller, quicker lineup will run the ball more than last season.

"I think we're going to play a little more up-tempo," he said. "We may press more."

Notre Dame has proved in the past couple of seasons it is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to district play, and Scott is counting on his team to come together down the stretch.

"That's the biggest thing right now is we've been practicing hard," he said.

The Bulldogs will rely heavily on the play of their young guards. Several juniors, including John Eric Klein, Jeremy Brinkmeyer and Mark Unterreiner, will be counted on to give quality minutes at the guard spots.

"If our guards can step up and play well, we'll be all right," Scott said.

Ellis, a sophomore, likely will run the point after seeing time there last season. Ellis provides the Bulldogs with an athletic point guard who can run the court in a hurry. If the Bulldogs press more, Ellis will be relied on to slow the opposition's ball movement.

"Hopefully he'll be able to pressure the other team's ball handler," Scott said.

If the Bulldogs are able to get a run going by Christmas, they won't catch many breaks in the second half of the season. Notre Dame plays Charleston in its first game after the seMissourian.com Christmas Tournament.