Rams will be dangerous with all-state guard back in lineup

Lance Amick's first year at the helm of his alma mater resulted in a near-upset of final four participant Charleston in the district finals.

If the Rams are going to repeat last year's success and give Charleston another run in the district tournament, they will have to do it with an overhauled roster.

"I'm confident there's a lot out there for these guys to achieve," Amick said.

Senior all-stater Mark Dannenmueller and senior forward Mark Johnston are Scott City's only returning starters, and only four reserves return from last year.

"We've got one thing going for us right now: We're working hard in practice," Amick said.

Amick does not want any of his players to get too comfortable as the season approaches. There are 15 players participating in varsity practices, and while some may return to the junior varsity team as the season starts, few things have been decided yet.

"These kids are battling every day for positions. Nobody has a spot locked up yet," Amick said.

Whoever hits the court for the Rams this year will have big shoes to fill. Scott City's seven seniors helped the Rams build on the success the program enjoyed during the late 1990s when the Rams won four district titles in five years from 1996 to 2000.

"The biggest thing that came out of last year is we learned how to win. We had a great group of kids," Amick said. "That really helped to build a foundation for our program. The kids gained so much knowledge form that group of seniors."

While Amick is not ready to determine his starters, Dannenmueller, a 6-foot-5 guard, and Johnston (6-3) likely will be key components. Dannenmueller averaged more than 22 points a game last season, while Johnston was a steady scorer who provided a presence on the boards.

"I only hope we can keep both of the Marks healthy all year long. Their work ethic is second to none around here," Amick said. "Some of the things they give us are on the stat sheets, but 90 percent of what they give us is not in the stats as far as leadership."

With the lack of an established scoring presence beyond those two, the Rams' early opponents likely will key on them. Amick said he tries not to pay attention to what people say about his team outside his program, but he can probably guess what people will try to do against them.

"From what people tell me, our scouting report is going to be if you stop Mark Dannenmueller, you'll stop Scott City," he said.

"I think we will be a little bit deeper,"Amich added. "Right now. I have confidence anyone on my varsity can contribute."

Scott City's underclassmen have been practicing with both the varsity and JV. Amick said the younger players are really pushing the upperclassmen in practice.

"They practice four hours a day. That kind of dedication is invaluable," he said.

Scott City opens the season in the Oran Tournament that begins Monday.