Leopold boys preview: New coach can build on four senior starters

Shawn Dugger will spend his first season as coach of Leopold trying to turn around a team that won only four games last season.

Dugger said he's been impressed with the first few weeks of practice and the time his team spent in the gym over the summer.

"The kids are working hard, and they're doing just about everything I'm asking from them," he said. "They're excited about playing."

The Wildcats will return four senior starters, and Dugger said he'll rely on his junior reserves as well.

"We have returning talent mixing with some good juniors," he said. "I think we can be competitive."

Six of the 10 players on Leopold's roster are 6 feet or taller, which should prove to be a strong point for the Wildcats, and Dugger said his backcourt has improved since last year.

Senior Victor Vandeven returns as the go-to man for Leopold, but Dugger said it's going to take a team effort to be successful in the Mississippi Valley Conference.

"Victor is probably the guy we would look to score if we need a basket. He's the leader on the team," Dugger said. "Our other kids can score, too, though. David [Thiele] is real aggressive and works hard, and our inside kids will be a key.

"The conference is going to be tough, but I think we can compete night in and night out and get some wins."

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LEOPOLD BOYS

Coach: Shawn Dugger, first season

Assistants: none

Last season: 4-17

Conference: Mississippi Valley Conference

Returning starters

Victor Vandeven 6-0 Sr. G

Eric Seiler 6-2 Sr. F/C

David Thiele 6-1 Sr. F

Alfred VanGennnip 6-2 Sr. F/C

Rest of roster

Justin Reed, 5-8, Sr., G; Codey Cook, 6-3, Sr., C; Matt Stoverink, 5-9, Jr., G; Tyler Clubb, 5-10, Jr., G; Eric Fluchel, 6-0, Jr., F/C; Corey Yount, 5-10, Jr., G

Schedule

Nov. 22 -- at Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 -- at Woodland Invitatonal

Dec. 6 -- at Woodland, 6 p.m.

Dec. 16 -- St. Vincent, 6 p.m.

Dec. 26-29 -- SE Missourian Christmas Tournament

Jan. 6 -- Oak Ridge, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 -- Marquand, 6 p.m.

Jan. 17 -- Meadow Heights, 6 p.m.

Jan. 24 -- at Chaffee, 6 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- Oran, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30-Feb. 3 -- Mississippi Valley Conf. tournament

Feb. 7 -- at Puxico, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Saxony Lutheran, 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 -- Zalma, 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- Delta, 6 p.m.

Feb. 21 -- at Oak Ridge, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 24 -- Advance, 6 p.m.