ND BULLDOGS TO UNLEASH YOUNG PUPS

Youth will definitely be served on the Notre Dame boys basketball team this season.

The Bulldogs have only two seniors on their entire roster and just one of those seniors played last year. But Notre Dame coach Chris Janet doesn't necessarily believe youth will be a major deterrent as the Bulldogs try to improve on last year's 9-17 record.

"We're definitely going to be young," said Janet. "But some of the young players we have got quite a bit of experience last year. And these guys are really working hard.

"Because we're young, a lot of people say we're a year or two away. But we don't look at it that way. These kids want to win now. They really want to be good."

Janet said the Bulldogs had an especially productive summer, which should pay off this season.

"They really had a good summer, probably once of the best we've had," he said. "I'm optimistic. I might not have sounded that way in June, but I've seen some good things the last few weeks in practice. We're going in (to the season) confident that we can beat some people."

Potential is probably the key word for the Bulldogs this year, according to Janet.

"That's the big thing," he said. "I think potentially we can be good. It just depends on how fast these young guys grow up. Some of them might be asked to grow up faster then you would normally prefer, but we like the young talent.

"We might go through some growing pains, but eventually I think we can be tough, especially come district time."

Nick Dannenmueller, a 6-foot-1 forward, is the Bulldogs' only returning senior. He started most of the season last year and, although not a big scorer, was a solid player, said Janet.

Three underclassmen all saw some starting action last year and will be counted on: 6-5 junior center Jason Rubel, 6-1 junior guard Zach Miller and 5-10 sophomore point guard Josh Eftink.

"We'll be counting on those four who have the experience quite a bit," Janet said. "Nick did a good job last year, Jason and Zach all started some for us and Josh came up with two weeks left in the season and we put him right in the starting lineup at point guard. He handled himself well."

Michael Wehner, a 6-5 junior forward who mainly played JV ball last year, figures to round out the starting lineup.

Three more juniors and the team's only other senior will also be counted on. The juniors, who all played JV last year, are 6-6 Anthony Ressel, 5-9 Jason Garner and 6-foot Robert Sander. The senior is 6-4 Caleb Nunn, who played as a sophomore but not last season.

Adding even more depth to the squad are four sophomore who either played JV or freshmen ball last year: 6-1 Scott Reinagel, 5-11 Mark Ostendorf, 6-foot Michael Gosche and 6-3 Curtis Dannenmueller.

"For a 2A team, we've got a lot of size. I think that's one of our strengths. And we've got some guards too," said Janet. "We've been working hard and getting a lot done in practice but we're looking forward to starting the season. I'm anxious to see us play some games."

Janet won't have to wait long. The Bulldogs open the season Friday against Meridian in the New Madrid Riverbend Classic. That will be a tuneup for next Tuesday's game against arch-rival Cape Central.

"We're opening a little earlier than normal so that will give us one game under our belt before we play Cape," Janet said.

Sizing up the area competition this year, Janet said, "I'm sure Charleston will be strong again and I'd say Jackson looks to be one of the better teams in the area. Cape is always tough. There are always so many good teams around here.

"And in 2A, it looks to be an exciting year as far as who might get out of the two districts."