CUBS READY TO HOLD THEIR GROUND

Last season, Bell City basketball coach Scott Kruse spotted games on his Cubs' schedule that he just knew his team would lose, unless the opposition's bus didn't start.

This year, although Bell City has a tough schedule, the Cubs have four starters returning. Kruse says those glaring mismatches of a year ago aren't nearly as conspicuous -- and that makes the second-year coach optimistic.

After a 2-20 mark two years ago, Bell City went 7-16 in Kruse's first year.

"I've got some returners, so that helps," said Kruse, a former all-state player at Dexter. "That's what's nice this year. Last year at the most we were about seven deep, and sometimes not even that."

Bell City has nine varsity players -- seven seniors and two juniors. Kruse said each will receive extensive playing time.

Leading the four returning senior starters is 5-foot-9 point guard Justin Stephens, who averaged about 14 points per game last season.

"Justin's really filled that role well," Kruse said. "He's point guard, so that's kind of expected of him this year. The seniors really worked hard over the summer, but he stood out. He was always in the gym . . . and it's showing."

Six-one Matt Knoderer, 5-11 Brandon Stewart and 5-10 Jacob Jenkins are the other returning starters. The Cubs lost honorable mention all-district selection Nate Wills to graduation.

Although Bell City has no player taller than 6-1, Kruse said Stewart plays like a taller player.

"Stewart plays like he's about 6-3," he said. "His shot's hard to block and he's big and wide. We won't have a whole lot of size again, but a lot of teams in the area don't."

Six-one junior Jarrod Eftink will probably be the fifth starter. Five-eleven seniors Josh Davison and Richard Surface and 5-8 junior Glenn Adams will be reserves.

Bell City may lack height, but the Cubs have improved in an area that could make up for that -- quickness.

"We're going to be quicker," Kruse said. "Last year we had no choice hardly but to play zone. We couldn't guard people. There wasn't hardly a team on our schedule that we could match up against."

Although indicators may predict a better season this year than last, Kruse made no predictions.

"I don't know what to expect this year; we have a tough schedule," he said. "When you've got a little over 80 kids in the high school, and you get to pick a handful of players from that, man, we've got a tough schedule. There's not a team on our schedule that's smaller than us school-wise.

"But they're working hard and they're having great attitudes. The seniors really expect to have a good year."