FIT LEOPOLD SQUAD FINDS ITSELF IN GOOD SHAPE WITH ITS BEST START OF THE DECADE

For Leopold, experience, improved strength and conditioning, and some size have added up to an impressive start heading into the U-High Tournament.

The Wildcats, seeded eighth, will carry a 5-2 record into Monday's 9 p.m. first-round game against No. 9 seed Woodland.

For Leopold, the start is their best since the 1987-88 season.

"I'm very pleased so far," said Leopold coach Carlton Thoma. "Some of these guys have been around for a while. We're starting four seniors and one junior, who started last year as a sophomore.

"We had high hopes going into the season. We thought we could be pretty decent. We played some this summer and looked pretty good at times."

According to Thoma., one of the reasons for the Wildcats' strong start has been their improved physical strength and stamina.

"One of the big things is our conditioning," he said. "I think we're probably in as good or better shape than other teams and that's helped.

"We're also a lot stronger than we were. We've had a weight room (at the school) for a little over a year now and we're wearing that thing out."

One player who has particularly benefited by improved strength and conditioning is Ashton James, one of two Leopold starters who stand 6-feet-5. James, Leopold's lone junior starter, is averaging about 20 points per game.

"He has really improved," Thoma said of James. "He's gotten a lot stronger. He spent a lot of time in the weight room."

Also averaging in double figures for the Wildcats are Jason van Deven and Danny Nenninger, at about 15 and 12 points per game, respectively.

Rounding out Leopold's starting lineup are 6-5 Adam Horrell (9 ppg) and Lee Vandermierden (6 ppg).

Others who have been seeing quality playing time off the bench are Daniel Schaab, Adam Landewee and Daniel Vandeven.

"We've gotten some real good balance so far," said Thoma. "We've even had some games with four players in double figures, which is really good."

Assessing his team's strengths and weaknesses so far, Thoma said, "I think we're better than I had anticipated defensively so far and our conditioning has really helped, but we need to improve a great deal on our execution."

As for Leopold's first-round tournament contest, the Wildcats will be facing a familiar foe as they have already split two extremely competitive games with Woodland.

"I know both teams will be ready to play," Thoma said. "There is some competitiveness between the two communities. We've split two very good games and hopefully we'll have another good one."

Thoma said his players always look forward to the U-High event.

"It's great for the kids, to get to play over in the Show Me Center, which is such a fine facility," he said. "I know our kids look forward to it every year. It's a great event."