DELTA BOYS SET SIGHTS ON IMPROVEMENT

With only two starters returning to play for the Delta boys basketball team this season, second-year Bobcats' coach Jim Gloth is keeping his expectations guarded and realistic."Our only team goals this season are to finish with a better record than last year and play better defensively," said Gloth.

After ending last year with a 9-14 record, the Bobcats will be looking for leadership from returning seniors Josh Altenthal and Jeremy Dohogne.

Altenthal, a 6-3 forward, is the tallest player on an average-sized team. He averaged 12 points per game playing both inside and on the perimeter last year. While being one of the team's top shooters, Altenthal will also be counted on to carry much of the rebounding load. Fellow senior Jeremy Dohogne, a 6-0 guard, is an adept ball-handler who averaged six points a game last year.

Filling the other spots on the varsity roster are 5-10 senior guard Allen Rhodes, 6-1 senior forward Jason Kennedy, 5-11 senior forward Steve Phelps, 5-10 senior guard Robbie Lemonds, 5-11 junior forward Robert Pruitt and 6-2 junior forward Troy Nussbaum.

According to Gloth, his team must perform better defensively and be able to grab more rebounds if the Bobcats are to have a winning season this year. A pressure man-to-man defense employed by Delta this year will hopefully create more turnovers and a few wins along the way."We have a closer knit group of kids this year then we had last year," said Gloth. "They work well together. The seniors will play more of a leadership role."Delta begin its season this week in the Woodland Tournament.