Cubs set to defend Class 1 state championship

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Bell City used a diversity of athletes to dominate the rest of Class 1 last season, beating Sante Fe 88-62 in the title game and ending the season with a 29-5 record.

Coach David Heeb and his Cubs hope things will be similar this season.

With a talented squad returning, Heeb said he expects to field another strong team and make another run at a state championship.

"It took the kids a while," Heeb said. "I don't think we came into the offseason with the same kind of hunger as in years past."

The Cubs have lost senior leadership over the summer, but with many key players returning another banner in the Bell City gym may not be out of the question.

"We had a good summer after we got done celebrating," Heeb said.

Bell City will blend new blood with a few key members of last year's state championship squad.

"We got some experience and some depth," Heeb said. "But we also have a bunch of guys who are unproven."

A pair of all-staters will lead the Cubs this year. Dominitrix Johnson, who averaged 16 points, six assists and four rebounds, will be joined by Eric Henry, who provided 20 points and nine rebounds last year. Johnson was the Southeast Missourian player of the year as a sophomore.

"Both of these guys have put on bulk and gotten stronger in preparation for college ball," Heeb added. "They are as good of a 1-2 punch as there is in the area."

Johnson, a junior point guard, has shot up three inches to 6-feet.

Henry (6-1), all-state his sophomore and junior years, can play down low, but over the offseason has improved his outside game.

"Eric has shown me that he can really shoot the ball," Heeb said.

Henry could pose problems for teams to match up with considering he can play anywhere on the court.

The Cubs will run with a fast-paced offense this year and should rely on the fast break often.

"Whoever is open first," Heeb says. "We've got some guys who can really put it on the floor."

If the fast-break method happens to fail, the Cubs won't be afraid to settle down and spot up. Bell City broke its school record last year for 3-pointers last year and could up the record this season.

"This group shoots better than last year," Heeb said.

Senior Kenyon Wright could prove to be another difficult matchup problem for opposing teams. Wright (6-feet) has proven that he can score, however, Heeb could be counting on him to handle an opponent's top offensive player.

"Kenyon had to guard some good players last year," Heeb said. "We are excited about him."

But the Cubs should be a well-rounded defensive team.

"We can pass the defense off to three, four, or five players," Heeb said.

Ben Duncan, an all-state baseball player, could also emerge as a surprise. Taking the year off last year to concentrate on baseball, Duncan, a senior, will provide Bell City added athleticism.

"He works harder than anyone we've got," Heeb said.

A.J. Henry (6-feet) and Randy Conn (6-3) will also likely see plenty of playing time.

"We may not be able to go 10 deep again this year," Heeb said, "but we've got eight players on varsity and all eight could start."