Indians thriving with only one returning starter

The Jackson Indians have been playing the type of basketball that can put a smile on the face of coach Mike Kiehne.

In his third year as head coach, Kiehne has stressed the team concept. He talks about rebounding by committee, balanced scoring, and players stepping up and making contributions.

"We've been going pretty good," Kiehne said. "I think we've played some quality games against some quality ball teams."

Kiehne said the team concept has shown through on offense and defense in a 3-2 start.

"I think we've done a good job of making the extra pass and playing help-side defense," Kiehne said.

While stressing the team concept, Kiehne doesn't understate the role played by 6-foot-4 junior Tyler McNeely, the only returning starter. He leads the team with about 15 points per game while averaging around eight rebounds.

"We want to establish him every game," Kiehne said. "He's the biggest guy we've got."

But for McNeely to work away on the inside, the Indians rely on a four-guard attack to help clear the way.

The Indians' starting guards -- Tyler Boyd, Jeffrey Beck, Matt Neal and Nick Fiehler -- and bench have proven to be a collective menace.

In fact, in a season-opening 64-50 victory over the Central Tigers, Jackson connected on eight 3-pointers. Seven different players accounted for the baskets.

"I've got seven to eight guys that can hit the three pretty consistently," Kiehne said. "We have to rely on that because of our lack of size. If we're making the shots, we're pretty hard to contend with, but if we're not, it's a pretty tough road for us."

That said, Kiehne doesn't want his team just launching threes but working the ball and showing good shot selection.

"It's not just like we tell the guys to spot up all the time," Kiehne said. "We're trying to do a lot of things. But if it's there we have to take it, and make it, to open Tyler on the inside."

McNeely, the only starter taller than 6 feet, has led in rebounding, an area that Kiehne saw as a potential weakness before the season.

The Indians have held their own on the boards, already having seen Central's Scott Chestnutt (6-foot-8), Eureka's Chris Simmons (6-6) and Marty Raab (6-6) and Poplar Bluff's Tyler Hansbrough (6-8).

In wins over Central and Eureka, Kiehne said his team held a rebounding edge. The Indians were out-rebounded in a loss to Poplar Bluff, the top-ranked team in Southeast Missouri.

"McNeely has been carrying the bulk of the load," Kiehne said. "But we've also been doing it by committee. It's been a real team effort."

Neel, who averages five assists per game, serves as point guard, while Fiehler also has been adept at handling and distributing the ball. The pair along with Boyd, who averages 10 points, and Beck have stepped well into starting roles.

"The guys we have starting this year had a lot of playing time last year," Kiehne said. "They just didn't score a lot, but they got a lot of varsity experience."

The Indians have played eight deep with juniors Brad Eaton and sophomores Jason Schafer and Jack Puisis coming off the bench.

"I'd like to improve on our offense," Kiehne said. "Just to be more comfortable with our offensive sets and establish leadership. I think we have a good core of guys that can step up to the next level. It's just a matter of getting there."

He sees Charleston as the team to beat with a clump of four or five teams capable of the upset.

Jackson, seeded third, opens against No. 14 seed Delta.

"I think we're about where we should be," Kiehne said. "If we play well, we'll show we deserve that seed."

jbreer@semissourian.com

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