Delta boys preview: Kinder, Below lone seniors back for district runner-up

Delta coach Shawn Kinder has a pretty good idea what he can expect from his experienced guard tandem.

How well the Bobcats do this season may depend more on what Kinder gets from an inexperienced front court combination.

Seniors Aaron Kinder and Terrence Below return at the guard positions for Delta, though both missed significant time last year with injuries.

"Both those kids have been with me all three years since I've been here," Shawn Kinder said. "They will give us leadership and have a big role to carry as far as points and defense. They know it's a tough row to hoe in district play."

Kinder had a broken hand last year, but still left an impression. He scored 21 points in the district semifinal and 16 in the final.

"He may be the most athletic kid in the conference and one of the most athletic kids in the area," Shawn Kinder said.

Up front, Delta will look at players such as junior Nathan Stroder, Dustin Anglin and A.J. Horn and sophomore Chase Rhodes for contributions.

"They will have to step up and rebound and do some things," Shawn Kinder said. "The young guys are going to get a lot of quality minutes."

Delta will carry four freshmen on the varsity roster since it lacks the numbers for a JV team.

With veteran guards and a number of players -- albeit young ones -- on the roster, Delta may look like two different teams depending who's on the floor. Shawn Kinder wants to keep an up-tempo pace with Below and Aaron Kinder applying the pressure.

"We like to get after it," Shawn Kinder said, "but with the young kids it might be tough at first. We might play that style in spurts and try to use our depth to our advantage."

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Delta boys

Coach: Shawn Kinder, third season

Assistant: John Weber

Last season: 17-13, lost 81-77 to Bell City in Class 1 district final

Conference: Scott-Mississippi Conference

Returning starters

Aaron Kinder 6-2 Sr. G

Terrence Below 6-1 Sr. G

Rest of Roster

Brandon Keys, 5-8, Fr., G; A.J. Horn, 6-2, Jr., F; Alex Parks, 5-9, So., G; Dustin Anglin, 5-10, Jr., G; Billy Dinkins, 5-8, Jr., G; Chase Rhodes, 6-3, So., G/F; Nathan Stroder, 6-0, Jr., F; Tyler Keys, 6-4, Fr., C; Gage Bowers, 6-5, Fr., C; Aaron Criddle, 5-8, Fr., G

Schedule

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 -- Woodland Invitational

Dec. 6 -- at Oak Ridge, 6 p.m.

Dec. 13 -- at Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

Dec. 16 -- Oran, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 26-30 -- SE Missourian Christmas tourney

Jan. 6 -- Zalma, 6 p.m.

Jan. 10 -- at Scott City, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 -- East Prairie, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 16-20 -- Scott-Miss. tournament

Jan. 24 -- Marquand, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- Saxony Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 -- at Woodland, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 -- at Kelly, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 -- Shawnee, Ill., 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Advance, 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 -- Chaffee at Delta, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- at Leopold, 6 p.m.

Feb. 21 -- Bell City, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 24 -- at Scott County Central, 6:30 p.m.