Cookson has Braves loaded for big season

Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson has reason to be excited as he heads into this winter's basketball season.

"I've got all the starters returning," Cookson said. "And I've got my No. 6 man back, Toby Heeb. He was the sixth man last year, really a sixth starter, that's what he was."

Cookson returns a group that won 24 games before losing to Bell City in the sectional round last year. It was the fourth year in a row the Braves lost to the Cubs in that round.

But things could be different this year with an experienced group of core returning players as they look to add on to their school's state-record 12 state titles.

Delandis Gillespie will return to the team as both an option at point guard and shooting guard. Cookson said he will look to Gillespie to again handle the ball well and play strong defense. He said he expects Caleb Johnson and Mark Freed to again be a presence inside, along with forward Drew Thomas, who also plays inside sometimes.

Oran's Kody Campbell was guarded by Scott County Central's D.D. Gillespie in the first quarter Friday at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. (AARON EISENHAUER ~ photos@semissourian.com)

Guard Bobby Hatchett will handle the ball, along with Gillespie, and Cookson will rely on Heeb to take a good number of 3-point shots like he did last year.

Cookson said one weakness his team might have is the way it plays defensively. Cookson uses a variety of defense, including man-to-man, press and zone.

"Our defense is not great," he said. "If we can get our defense down and play a little better defense, then we'll be all right."

Cookson did say that having all his players return was promising, but he added that other teams that the Braves will compete with will be strong as well.

"Everybody else has got a lot back," he said. "We'll have Bell City, which will still be tough. They've got a 7-1 boy and they've got [Nick] Niemczyk back, and so they're going to be tough as nails. We're going to have to get really far to get anywhere."

Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson talked to his players Thursday at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. (AARON EISENHAUER ~ photos@semissourian.com)