CHAFFEE HOPES TO FATTEN UP SOME LEAN TIMES

The Chaffee boys basketball team returns two players from last year's varsity squad, while hoping to improve a team that has only won three combined games over the past two seasons. First-year coach Tim Corley isn't as much concerned with wins and losses as he is with his team's work ethic. Corley is stressing fitness, which the Red Devils will need to play tenacious defense."I don't want to say how many games we are going to win," said Corley. "It depends on the kids, and so far they have had a good work ethic in practice. I'm pushing them extremely hard -- as hard as they've ever been pushed in their lives -- to get them into condition."Returning starters from last year's varsity squad are 6-2 junior guard Matt Stroup and 6-3 senior center Mike McClard. According to Corley, Stroup is a strong rebounder while McClard is a good post player and rebounder.

Joining the pair will be Tommy Stidham, (5-9, Sr., G); Chase Eskew (5-10, Soph., G); Billy VanPelt (6-1, Sr., F); G.P. Glueck (5-9, Jr., G); Kevin McCullum (6-3, Sr., F); Perry Rice (5-10, Jr., G); Jeremy Halbert (Sr., F); Ronnie Russell and Sean Hampton (6-1, Jr., F).Corley looks for the Red Devils' strengths to be quickness, tough defensive and strong shooting."I like to stress defense," said Corley. "The kids like to shoot, so that's not usually a problem. I've been working on their defensive footwork. Defense will be our top priority."In order to win more than one game this year, according to Corley, the Red Devils must play unselfishly. With only two returning starters, Corley figures that conditioning, defense and stressing fundamental team play should help the Red Devils to improve over last year's disappointing results.

Chaffee travels to Portageville tonight to open its season.