Ready for advancement

After five years as an assistant basketball coach and the athletic director at Advance, Joe Shoemaker walks into an interesting situation as the head basketball coach at the school.

The Hornets have been listed as a team to watch by many other small-school coaches in Southeast Missouri. With four starters back from an 18-10 team that lost in the Class 2 district championship game to East Carter, the Hornets have a lot of pieces in place for Shoemaker's first season.

But he says the team does not feel the burden of expectations but instead has an approach that could be described as business casual.

"Not really," Shoemaker said. "They seem to be having fun right now, and they just want to have fun the whole year.

"The seniors are taking things pretty serious. They realize it's their last year to do something. So they're serious, but at the same time relaxed. I'm satisfied with the practices; they're working hard."

Advance this year doesn't so much have a starting five but instead seems to have a starting seven.

Seniors Tyler Bowman, Dustin Kalinsky and Drew Sherman are returning starters, as is junior James Masters.

Bowman, a 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 assists per game last season and was a second-team All-Southeast Missourian selection. Kalinsky and Masters both are 6-2 forwards and Masters is a 6-4 center.

Shoemaker has two other juniors capable of starting and another senior who adds to the front line.

Daryl Wade, a 5-9 junior guard, will see plenty of playing time along with 6-1 forward Jeremy Limbaugh. Brian Birkman, a 6-4 senior, will see some time in the post.

Center Josh Bailey, a 6-3 junior, may also provide depth along the front line though Shoemaker said an injury in preseason practice may be a factor in his status.

"We'll be pretty balanced," Shoemaker said, "especially the first seven can all go for big nights, and we'll be able to see what's working that night."

Shoemaker, who coached the players at the junior varsity level, said about the only change the team may make in approach is to get up and down the floor faster. He has the depth to do that.

The Hornets should get primed for district play with Stoddard County Conference action that includes defending Class 1 state champion Bell City and Class 4 state semifinalist Dexter.

"They were both in the state playoffs, and I think Bernie is going to surprise some people this year," Shoemaker said.

The Hornets probably won't surprise anyone this year if things go well, but they'll begin their march at the Woodland Tournament that begins Monday.