DEVILS MAKE PITCH FOR BETTER RECORD

Chaffee's boys basketball team did not meet the expectations of first-year coach Jim Stoverink last season, going just 4-17.

But Stoverink will be looking for better things during his second campaign in charge of the Red Devils.

"I was a little bit disappointed last year. At the beginning of the season I thought we'd win more games than we did," said Stoverink. "It was my first year and maybe I was a little naive. I thought we had more talent than our record showed. But we had a lot of new kids and you throw in a new coach and a new system and that was kind of a barrier for us.

"Being my second year now, I think that's going to make a big difference. We can already see it in practice. We don't have to spend nearly as much time going over things because the kids have done it before. We're able to spend more time with conditioning and fundamentals."

A major drawback for the Red Devils could be a lack of size, with no player taller than 6-foot-1.

"We're going to be small, but the guys have all really worked hard to improve," Stoverink said. "We had a real good summer. We played in a league against some pretty good teams and were very competitive."

The Red Devils will be counting on four seniors and six juniors, many of whom saw plenty of playing time last year.

Four seniors all either started or saw plenty of action last year: 5-foot-10 point guard Jaimie Dumey, 5-10 Josh Hanlon, 5-11 Darren McIntosh and 6-1 Wayne McAllister.

"We'll be counting on all of the seniors quite a bit," said Stoverink. "Darren and Wayne should help us inside. Wayne especially has improved and gotten a lot stronger."

Jeremy Vandeven, a 5-10 junior, started as a sophomore. Four more juniors -- 6-footers Dustin Allen and Andy Proffer, 5-10 Dusty Leggett and 5-9 Garrett Senciboy -- all played JV last season while 6-1 junior Phillip Blevins was not on the squad a year ago.

"The juniors will also be a big part of the team," said Stoverink.

Chaffee opens the season next Tuesday at Portageville, always a rugged opener for the Red Devils.

"It's a tough first game, but I'm optimistic about the season," Stoverink said. "I think the kids I have this year are going to be more disciplined. They've worked hard and we're looking forward to the season."