Bulldogs seek improvement daily
Conway St. Joseph lost eight seniors to graduation this spring, so the most important thing for head coach Brent Bruich this season is to see improvement every day. “Losing eight seniors and having guys filling different roles than they have been, I’m looking for us to get better every day in practice — both offensively and defensively and individual skills,” Bruich said. “I’m looking for improvement.” Junior Jack Briggler is the lone starter coming back after the Bulldogs finished 16-15 last season. They were fifth in the conference, fourth in the district and made it to the regional tournament before losing in the first round. “We were one game away from going to state,” Bruich said. “It was a very average year. There were a lot of good teams last year.” Briggler started at point guard as a sophomore last year, and the coach said he’s got good leadership skills and is very smart. “He’s got a calm demeanor for the most part,” Bruich said. “He’s our point guard, so he’s our quarterback. “He did a good job as a sophomore running our club. He still has some weaknesses that he needs to work on, but he is working toward that.” The coach said he wants Briggler to make better decisions, and “sometimes he dribbles too much.” “But he knows what his weaknesses are, and he is striving to get better,” Bruich said. Seniors Spencer Pope and Triple Williams started off and on for the Bulldogs last season. “Triple is real strong and has a good touch,” Bruich said. “Spencer is a great leader and has a genuine care for his teammates, not only on the court, but off the court as well. “He is wanting things done right.” Bruich said Pope has shown great leadership by taking some of the younger guys under his wing. “Spencer is a really good shooter,” Bruich said. “His shooting and scoring ability is really going to be counted upon this year.” Other players looking for some quality minutes at the post include sophomores Caleb Hiegel, Ryan Davis, Lukas Welter and John McKenna. Senior Jensen Kordsmeier should also see some playing time, Bruich said. Junior Mason Elsinger and sophomore Will Schichtl should rotate in at the perimeter, as well as seniors Clayton Heathscott and Parker Trussell, the coach said. “We’ve got several guys who are doing well this fall and looking to earn some playing time,” Bruich said. “We’ve got a real good sophomore class that won conference and district in junior high last year. “They are going to give us some minutes. We’ve also got some juniors and seniors that have come off the bench the past couple of years that are looking for some playing time and to earn minutes as well.” Schematically, the Bulldogs will run out of multiple formations on defense. “We will play some matchup zone and some man,” Bruich said. “There are multiple things that we are trying to do. “We take great pride in playing good defense and sound defense. We have to do that every night to be in games. If we aren’t playing good defense, we probably aren’t going to win.” The coach said St. Joseph also prides itself in being fundamental on offense and executing on offense. “A lot of nights, we definitely are not the most talented or most athletic team out there,” Bruich said. Controlling the tempo is also very important for the Bulldogs. “We want to be multiple in how we play,” he said. “We like to play fast if we can, but at the end of the season, it all turns into half-court basketball. “We like to control the tempo a little bit, and it kind of depends on our opponent as well.” St. Joseph will open the season on Monday against Shirley, but the first home game for the Bulldogs is scheduled for Nov. 7 against Pangburn. “Our district is tough; our nonconference is tough,” Bruich said. “Most of the teams on our schedule, especially nonconference, are going to finish in the regional or state.” St. Joseph will also host the Joe Mallett Classic, beginning Nov. 27 and lasting until Dec. 2. “We have had a good fall camp,” Bruich said. “We are going to be a different team than we have been the past couple of years. “They have really good chemistry, and they work really hard. I think we will be a better offensive team.”