Class 1: Braves are seeking return to final four

Scott County Central

SIKESTON -- Coming off one of their best seasons in 14 years, the Scott County Central Braves will be trying to do it all over again in the upcoming 2008-09 season.

Last year, the Braves finished with a 28-3 record and a third place finish in the Class 1 state tournament after falling to the eventual state champions, Jefferson, in the semi-finals.

Even with last year's quality season and high expectations for the upcoming, the ever-humble head coach of the Braves would never give off the impression of what is to come.

"I think we're going to be alright," Braves head coach Ronnie Cookson said. "We're not going to be devastating. We've got some weaknesses that we've got to work on but, we're just going to start playing and see how we do from there."

The Braves will again utilize their blazing speed on the court with their transition game and their traditional haunting pressure defense. Cookson said that this team will be even faster than the last year's.

A huge part of that third place team was lost to graduation in Caleb Johnson and D.D. Gillespie.

Johnson, who was a first team All-State selection, averaged just under 15 points a game and eight rebounds a game, while Gillespie, who was a second team All-State selection, scored 18.3 points a game. Cookson said that those two seniors will definitely be missed.

"It's tough," Cookson said about replacing his two All-State selections. "Caleb (Johnson) was our board man and D.D. (Gillespie) was our point man. It's tough replacing those two seniors. They were a big part of last year's team."

Although Johnson and Gillespie are gone, the Braves still have senior Drew Thomas.

Thomas, who was selected as a member of the first team All-State, led the Braves in scoring with 19.5 points a game and was second in rebounding with 6.5 a game.

Also returning will be Bobby Hatchett, who will more than likely take over the point guard position that Gillespie left vacant. Hatchett averaged 10.9 points a game and dished out 84 assists last season.

Otto Porter, who started seeing a lot of varsity playing time towards the middle of the season as a freshman last year, will play a big role as the Braves post man this season. Porter (6-7, Soph.) finished last year by averaging eight points a game and 4.7 rebounds a game.

Another player that is returning for the Braves is Randy Timmons. Timmons primarily came off of the bench as the 'sixth man' last season, but will be looking towards more of a starting role this season.

Cookson mentioned that there will be a lot of contributing factors this year and that the team is really looking forward to the beginning of the season.

"Everybody is doing real well as a whole," Cookson said. "I'm really looking forward to this season. They are a fun bunch to coach. They are just interesting, is what they are."

The Braves will start their season at the Riverbend Classic on Friday against Byhalia, Ark. and Memphis Central.

Richland ready for successful season

ESSEX -- The Richland Rebels feel that everything is in place for a very successful season this year. They have a mix of experienced players and a few new faces to lean on as they will look to 'prove themselves' as a serious contender for a district title.

"We've got the tools if we can put them into use," Richland head coach Casey Knight said. "I've been talking to them about playing harder, tougher and more physical than the teams we will face. We've got the tools there we just need to put them to work."

One of those tools that will definitely be used is junior Drew Thornton.

Thornton was selected as a second team All-Region player last year on the 11-13 Rebel squad. Also, Mac Thornton, who was also a big contributor last season, will be a big help again this year.

"Just being year older and a year wiser they're going to be more effective," Knight said. "They continue to get better every year."

Knight said that Jonathan McGarity and Jeremy McGarity will play a bigger part as seniors this year, after contributing as role players in years past.

"They have been role players here and there, but this is the year they step up and see if they can really contribute," Knight said. "I think they will. They have been working really hard."

Richland, who dropped down to Class 1 from Class 2 this season, will be looking forward to facing new competition but, still knows that playing in the Stoddard County Conference is tough.

"Stoddard County is a tough conference to play in," Knight said. "Those are always going to be tough games. We definitely have a chance to be good if these guys can step up and help out the team. Overall, this is the year to prove yourself and to prove yourself as a team."

The Rebels will begin the season on the road against the Portageville Bulldogs on Dec. 5, which Knight feels will be a good measure of his team.

"It's a good statement game," he said. "We can see what we can do there."

Risco looks to have solid season

RISCO -- The Risco Tigers will be looking to improve on their 8-15 record from last year as they move up some solid junior varsity players to the varsity level.

"I think we have the opportunity this year to be one of the best teams that I've had here at Risco," Tigers head coach Brandon Blankenship said. "I feel that we are extremely solid at every position and I think we have a much stronger and much more physical team than we have had in the past three or four seasons."

Risco lost eight seniors which included Kyle White and Kyle Hayes.

Last year, Risco's junior varsity squad pumped out a 15-7 record which Blankenship feels will aid them in the next level.

"The guys have really worked hard in the weight room this pre-season and have dedicated themselves to getting better," Blankenship said. "I really think that we will be in the running for a conference and district championship this season."

Zack Williams, who was a junior varsity first team Tri-County All-Conference selection last season, will be looked upon as their main inside scoring threat. The 6-3 junior averaged 17.4 points per game and nine rebounds a game.

Brandon Bennett, who also was a junior varsity first team All-Conference selection, will be looking to play a healthy full season after coming off of an ACL tear in June of 2007. Despite his injury causing him to miss the first five games last year, Bennett still finished with 17 points per game.

"He will be looked upon this year for a significant scoring role and to help handle the ball," Blankenship said about Bennett.

Others that Risco will be counting on will be Chris Williams (5-11, Sr.), Dillon Hill (6-0, Sr.), Ross Carter (6-0, Jr.), Josh Long (5-10, Jr.), Justin Earnheart (5-11, Jr.) and Daniel Mims (6-3, Sr.).

"The guys have really worked hard in the weight room this pre-season and have dedicated themselves to getting better," Blankenship said. "I really think that we will be in the running for a conference and district championship this season."