BULLDOGS SEEK RESPECT UNDER NEW HEAD COACH

Zalma's basketball team graduated six senior players from last year's squad and will begin this season without any returning starters.

The lack of experience doesn't bother first-year coach Dwyght Ford as much as how others view his team, which was 8-15 last year."Not a lot of respect gets put out there when people talk about Zalma basketball," said Ford. "I look forward to turning it around."Ford comes to Zalma after coaching basketball for West St. Francis County last season.

Although the Bulldogs will be without veteran leadership, they will have several starters who played varsity ball last year.

Ronnie Moyt is a 5-9 senior guard who can handle and shoot the ball well. Chris Canoy, a 6-0 senior guard/forward, is an accurate shooter. Adam Stoneking, a 5-9 senior guard, has good shooting and ball handling abilities, as well.

The rest of the varsity squad includes 6-3 junior forward Jarod Williams, 6-0 senior guard/forward Dustin Wiseman, 5-11 junior guard Brad Hazel, 6-3 senior forward/center Jason Means, 5-10 junior guard Brad Isaac, 5-11 senior guard Eric Ulrich, 5-11 junior guard David Dickenson and 6-0 freshman forward Chad Wiseman.

Moit describes Williams and Means as a good rebounders, while Wiseman is one of the team's better shooters. Hazel and Isaac both excel on defense.

In addition to having to play strong defense, Ford believes his team will need accurate shooting from the guard position."I like to stress defense," said Ford. "The offense will come. Our transition game isn't that strong, so running our half-court offense should be our team strength."The Bulldogs opened their season Nov. 23 at Meadow Heights.