Red Devils begin climb toward consistency

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- For the first time in a long time the Chaffee Red Devils will have the same coach running things from the bench consecutive years.

David Mirly is optimistic that his commitment to the program will help the Red Devils improve upon a 6-18 season.

"I think the strength of our team is just getting consistency with the coach sticking around for more than one year," Mirly said.

Mirly will have to hope that the program's new consistency can help it overcome a lack of size. Chaffee will not start a player taller than 6-feet. The team will look to change defenses from press to zone during games to try to combat the lack of size.

"We are going to do whatever it takes to be successful," he said.

The Red Devils will have two returning starters, including James Reischman, who averaged nine points per game last season. Reischman will run the point for a team that will have to rely on its ball-handling skills with a lack of an inside game.

Brent Thomason will return at center. Zac Horman, Sam Burnett, Brett Whittaker and Sid Burks will also see significant playing time. The rest of the team will be made up of freshman and sophomores fighting for varsity spots.

The Red Devils will have to rely on their freshmen and sophomores early in the season with several upperclassmen nursing football injuries.

"Right now we're really banged up because of football," Mirly said. "Early in the year we'll probably struggle a bit."

Mirly said his injured players can still have an impact on the team early on, even if they aren't playing.

"They're being leaders on the sidelines," he said.

Having to start freshmen and sophomores with no varsity experience is not something Mirly looks forward to.

"It's kind of scary having to rely on freshmen and sophomores," Mirly said.

Even with the possibility of a slow start, Mirly has confidence in his team.

"I think everyone on this team is looking forward to the season," he said. "There is a lot of excitement."

After losing so many close games last season, Mirly and the Red Devils are confident that, if they can get breaks, they can pick up a few extra wins.

"I think this year we'll be able to pull them off," Mirly said.

Playing in the Scott-Mississippi County Conference and the Mississippi Valley Conference the Red Devils will have plenty of conference games to get them going. Mirly said conference competition will be tough, but he looks forward to seeing all the teams.

"We're looking forward to competing against all those schools," he said.

To compete against their conference foes the Red Devils will have to rely on their defense after scoring only 50 points per game last season.

Mirly said his team will find a way to compete.

"We're already further along than last year at the end of the season," he said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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