Notre Dame returns core group of seniors

Notre Dame boys' basketball coach Darrin Scott is counting on a strong senior class mixed with a solid group of underclassman to pave the way for another successful season.

The Bulldogs went 21-8 last year, losing to Charleston in the district finals. That was preceded by a 20-9, district championship performance during Scott's first season at Notre Dame.

"We had a good season last year," Scott said. "We lost some good players, but we're returning four guys who saw quality time and they will help us quite a bit."

Among the graduation losses from last year were two starters: all-region performer Scott Wittenborn, who averaged about 13 points per game, and 6-foot-6 Doug Schaefer, the team's tallest player.

But three starters return, led by 6-1 senior Travis Siebert, a second-team all-region player who led the Bulldogs in scoring last season with about 14 points per contest.

Other regulars back are 6-4 senior Cory Beussink, who was solid with averages of about nine points and nine rebounds per game, and speedy 5-11 senior Tyler Cuba, who contributed around six points a contest.

Two more seniors, both 6-footers, join that trio. Wayne Essner scored about seven points per game last year while Travis Bruenderman is back after missing all of his junior season with a knee injury.

"We'll be counting on those five seniors a lot," Scott said. "Hopefully they'll be able to score for us and provide leadership. We're looking for consistency from them."

Scott will also look for solid seasons from four members of last year's junior varsity team. Bryce Willen, a 6-2 sophomore, led the JV Bulldogs in scoring a year ago and 6-4 junior Matt Wulfers was the squad's second-leading scorer. Also key JV players last year were 6-3 Blake Fisher and 6-2 Steve Hendricks.

Two first-year juniors, 6-5 Joe Dufek and 6-2 Jonathon Market, will also battle for playing time.

Scott said his team will be strong offensively and, if the defense and rebounding come around, then another successful season could be in store even though the Bulldogs have moved up to Class 4 from Class 2.

"Our biggest concerns are how well we're going to guard and how well we rebound," Scott said. "If we do that, I think everything else will kind of fall into place. I think we've got more kids who can score this year."

Scott looks for the SEMO Conference to be as rugged as ever and the Bulldogs have added a few new teams to their schedule, including defending Class 3 state champion MICDS, which is coached by Notre Dame graduate and former Bulldogs coach Don Maurer.

"We've got another tough schedule," Scott said. "The SEMO Conference will be really strong, as always."

As for his squad's goals this season, Scott said, "We want to be playing our best basketball at end of the year to give ourselves a chance to win the district. And our main goal is, every day we show up, to get better than we were the day before."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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