Eagle Ridge boys preview: Eagles eye top-four state finish

Eagle Ridge Christian School coach Tony Hammack believes his team can only improve from last season.

The Eagles return every player from last year's squad that compiled a 8-19 record, and Hammack thinks the team has a legitimate shot at finishing in the top four of the Missouri Christian School Activities Association Class 2A state tournament.

"This year's team would beat last year's team, no doubt in my mind," Hammack said. "As far as schools about the same as us in enrollment, I think we can play with anybody. Finishing in the top four in the state tournament is a pretty realistic goal for us."

Hammack isn't worried about changing things around too much this season. He projects his starting lineup to be the same as last year, although he knows his team will be much improved.

"I think the coaching philosophy will pretty much be the same," he said. "The kids are the same, except they're older, better, faster and make decisions on the court. They're just a year older, which is a real positive thing."

The Eagles will rely on Joel Price, Ben Douglass and Sandy Holmes for the bulk of their offensive production, and Hammack said the team's bonding in the last year will play a significant role.

"I think bonding is pretty big," he said. "A lot of kids around here eat, drink, sleep basketball. The kids just love the game of basketball."

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Eagle Ridge CHRISTIAN SCHOOL boys

Coach: Tony Hammack, ninth season

Assistants: none

Last season: 8-19

Conference: St. Louis Metro Athletic Conf.

Returning starters

Chris Simmons 6-1 Sr. F

Joel Price 6-1 Sr. F

Ben Douglass 5-6 So. G

Josh Wiseman 5-7 Fr. G

Sandy Holmes 6-2 Jr. C

Rest of roster

Daniel Cohen, 5-11, So., F; Noah Scott, 6-3, So., F; Justin Rose, 6-3, Jr., F; Zack Durham, 5-6, So., G; Andrew Toeneskoetter, 6-2, Fr., F; Ethan Worthington, 6-2, Fr., C

Remaining schedule

Nov. 22 -- Christian Outreach, 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 -- at Murphysboro, Ill., 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 2 -- Christian Outreach School tournament

Dec. 5 -- New Salem Baptist, 5 p.m.

Dec. 9 -- at Peoples, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 -- at Twin Cities, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 19 -- Collinsville, Ill., 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 3 -- Peoples Christian, 5 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- Wright City Liberty Christian, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- at Collinsville, 5 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- Peoples, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- at New Salem Baptist, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- at Greater St. Louis Christian Academy, 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- at Christian Outreach, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- St. Louis Christian, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 -- Gateway, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 2-4 -- Life Christian tournament, TBA

Feb. 6-11 -- SLMCAA tournament, at Jefferson County, TBA

Feb. 13 -- Twin Cities, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 15-18 -- MCSAA state tournament, TBA