Steeleville boys look to hit the ground running

Posted November 18, 2015 10:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

After a 8-21 building year last season, Steeleville returns four starters and five of its top six players in 2015-16.

"I think this year, more than any year since I've been here, I've felt we hit the ground running," said Steeleville coach Bryce Bainter. "This year, having a lot of players back with a year under their belt, I felt we're a lot farther along from an experience point."

The conversation about the Warriors starts with senior Nic Hagel, who is fresh off a 61st-place finish at the Class 1A cross country state meet at Peoria's Detweiller Park.

Hagel led Steeleville last season with 17.1 points-per-game and 20.4 ppg. in Cahokia Conference play.

"I think Nic having success in cross country is big and he had a pretty good last third of the season last year," Bainter said. "It seems like he's a lot farther along than last year and he's taken up a leadership role."

Steeleville's other returning starters are Dusty Sutton, Parker Lutz and Bryar Pim. Sutton averaged 8.8 points-per-game (11.3 in conference) as the team's second-leading scorer behind Hagel.

Lutz (6.1 ppg.) and Pim (2.7 ppg.) also chipped in quality minutes last season.

"I think we'll definitely be able to put enough guys on the floor to score," Bainter said. "I think how we rebound will play a big part in our success.

"Staying healthy, playing the post and rebounding will determine how our season goes."

Hagel was also Steeleville's leading rebounder at six per game, while several others hovered around three per contest.

Bainter noted he is looking for contributions from R.J. Smith and Trey Lazenby.

"I feel like he's really improved from last year and the year before," Bainter said of Smith. "I think R.J. will be able to give us some varsity minutes this year."

Bainter said Lazenby, who is a senior, is playing his first season of organized basketball.

"He's a strong kid, athletic, I'm still teaching him the game," Bainter said. "But I think he'll give us some minutes and help us."

Like Chester, Steeleville begins its season at the Trico Pioneer Invitational starting Nov. 30. The Warriors and Yellow Jackets will face each other at 8:30 p.m. to open their seasons.

"I would say this year is more wide open than any other year," Bainter said. "I think there's six teams in that tournament that have somewhat of a shot to win it.

"I honestly feel like any of the six teams can walk away with that title."

Conference-wise, Steeleville finished runner-up in the Cahokia Conference with a 7-3 record last season. New Athens took the conference crown in finishing 8-2.

"I would say Marissa," Bainter said on who he saw were the key challengers in the Cahokia this season. "They're a little bit like us. They return a decent amount of what their core was last year.

"With our conference, I told the kids that there's not going to be an easy road game. It's going to be a dogfight to win."

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