Returning starters will be key for Eagles

ORAN, Mo. -- With all five starters returning and only one player lost from last season, the Oran Eagles look to be in prime shape to improve on their 21-7 record from a year ago.

Post player Nathan Seyer will look to head up the cast of returning starters, bringing back a 17 points-per-game average. Right behind him will be the outside game of Ryne Wood, who averaged 16 points last season.

Having the luxury of returning all five starters and several key bench players can put a lot of pressure on a coach, though. With success comes expectations.

"I guarantee there's no one who has higher expectations than us," coach Mitch Wood said.

Rounding out the returning starters are forwards Patrick Friga and Tyler Cookson, and guard Joey Bickings. The starting lineup averages about 6-1, with Seyer, Cookson and Friga all around 6-2 or 6-3.

Wood said having all his starters back should be a big key, especially in the area of maturity.

"Experience is the biggest thing probably," he said.

The Eagles go with a defense-first philosophy with much of their practice time focussed on guarding.

"When it comes down to big seasons and big games, if you cant guard you're not going to get very far," Wood said.

The Eagles stress that a team cannot always control whether its offense is on during a given game, but they can control whether they guard or not. And to this in the Eagles stress playing as a defensive unit.

"A good defensive team is played by the team," he said. "We really stress that part of it."

As far as offense is concerned, Eagles fans can count on an up-tempo style of play. With a year under their belt, Oran's top bench threats, juniors Matt Seyer and Garrett Roslen, should be able to keep that fast-paced offense moving when one of the starters needs a rest.

Wood said a key to his team is that the offense does not simply run through one player, but has multiple scoring threats capable of taking over the game.

"Seven or eight guys are capable of doing that every night," he said of his team.

Oran does not rely on specific offensive setups such as the triangle offense or anything like that. The words most synonymous with Oran's offense is simplicity and adaptability.

"Our offense consists of what most defenses give us," Wood said. "We try to teach the kids to do what they give you."

The Eagles will likely count on their bench for more production this season. Along with Matt Seyer and Roslen, juniors David Asmus and Brett Graviett will look to contribute off the bench. Asmus and Graviett were mainstays on the JV squad last season.

Wood said the depth this season should be a big positive for the team.

"Our numbers haven't gotten better, but the quality's gotten better," he said.

To improve on last season the Eagles will have to get past district rival Bell City. Bell City eliminated Oran on its way to the Class 1 state title last season. The teams split their four games last season.

Wood said his team should be ready to come back and compete for a chance at state this season.

"Hopefully this bunch is going to be ready to do that," he said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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