Indians look to improve on last year's conference record

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Teams around the Jefferson County Conference will see something new from the St. Vincent Indians this year: size.

Boasting two 6-foot-5 players, coach Bruce Valleroy will have one of his biggest teams in recent memory.

"We're not used to height around here," Valleroy said.

With added size and six returning seniors, the Indians have reason to believe they can improve on a 14-11 season.

"I feel like we can be real competitive this season," Valleroy said.

The Indians will be led by center Matt Wengert, one of the two 6-foot-5 players on the roster. Wengert brings back 10 points and six rebounds from last season.

"His stats should improve from last season," Valleroy said.

Wengert, along with the rest of the Indians, will have to pick up some of the scoring lost from the graduation of his cousin, Tyler Wengert, who led the team in scoring last season with 18 points a game.

In order to pick up some of the scoring slack, the Indians will try to stick with a more balanced attack this season. With Wengert, Dominic Richardet and forward Aaron Rellergert controlling the post and Brad Renner, Tyler Paulus and Joel Carron lighting it up from outside, the Indians should be able to achieve that balance.

"The balance will be very key for us," Valleroy said.

If one of his six seniors is having an off game, Valleroy will turn to a deep bench consisting of six juniors and one sophomore. The juniors include forwards Scott Prost, Brett Richardet and Andrew Clements, and guards Chad Lane, Zack Moll and Chris Herzog. Alex Armbruster is the lone sophomore.

Valleroy said he expects to get strong contributions from his bench.

"You have to turn to the bench to come in and help you out some nights," he said.

One challenge for Valleroy will be getting his group of varsity players, made up predominantly of football players, into a basketball mindset.

"It will take a while to get their basketball touch," Valleroy said.

Valleroy said an advantage of having so many football players is the overall level of fitness of the squad.

"When they come off the football field they're in good shape," he said.

If the Indians are to be successful this season they will have to find a way to win the close games. St. Vincent lost as many as five games by five points or less last season.

Valleroy said last year's lack of success in close games was unusual for his teams.

"Over the years we've been pretty successful winning the close games," he said.

The Indians hope that if they can win some of the close games they lost last season, they can improve on their 3-6 conference record last season. St. Vincent does have history on its side, winning the small-schools division of its conference five of the eight years they have been a part of it.

Valleroy said improving their conference record won't come easy.

"In our conference it's a game every night," he said. "There's no easy team on our schedule."

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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