By Chris Parker
El Dorado Springs boys basketball has its third head coach in as many seasons with David Rogers taking over this year.
Rogers inherits a program that won a district title two seasons ago and posted 20 wins last season.
“I’m very excited about this team,” Rogers said. “It is a diverse team that has been working hard and putting time in. All of these kids play hard and have the same goal in mind. Our schedule has changed a lot from last year and we will be tested a lot throughout the year. That is how we want it, and we want to be battle tested headed into the postseason. I’m looking forward to an exciting season and to represent our town in a positive way.”
Senior Landon Murry returns to lead El Dorado Springs.
“He (Murry) has led our offense for the past couple years,” Rogers said. “He has been our top scorer and brings a lot of speed to the game. He is quick and causes headaches for the other teams on both sides of the ball. He is a kid that gives everything he has for the entire game. I expect him to do the same thing this year and am looking forward to watching him play this year.”
Junior guard Joe Gordon is another returning player for El Dorado Springs.
“Joe started for us as a sophomore last year and has stepped up his game a lot in the off-season,” Rogers said. “He is someone that can score from anywhere on the floor and will be a match up problem for other teams. He brings speed and is another outside threat teams will have to focus on.”
Rees McCullough (senior forward), Russell Ferguson (junior forward), Aidan Rotert (junior guard), Brett Alexander (junior guard), Will Seitz (junior guard) and Karson Burley (sophomore guard) all saw a mix of varsity and junior varsity action last season.
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Rogers on McCullough: “Rees is a kid who has continued to get better each year. He is looking to be in a starting role this year and will be someone we look to have a big impact inside. He is a strong kid and plays hard every time he is on the floor. We look for him to be an inside threat and protect the basket.”
Rogers on Ferguson: “Russell is a kid who has battled a few injuries and health problems the past few years. He seems to be on the right track and has had a good off-season. When he is in the game, he brings another great inside threat for us. He is a good rebounder and moves well around the basket. If we can keep him healthy, he is a kid that will make a great impact for our team.”
Rogers on Rotert: “Aidan is another one looking to increase his varsity minutes this year. He is someone that flies around on defense and works hard every day. His confidence continues to grow and improve every time he’s on the court. I look for his play to step up and for him to bring good tempo on both sides of the ball and be more of an offensive threat this year. He is also another kid that is not afraid to get inside and mix it up and fight for the rebounds.”
Rogers on Alexander: “Brett is a kid that has worked his way back into things. He came back last year after having Tommy John surgery. He has gotten stronger, and his shot is coming back to him. He has pushed through some adversity, and I am looking forward to seeing him on the court at full strength. He works hard and is becoming a threat again on both sides of the floor.”
Rogers on Seitz: “Will has grown a lot in the last year and half. He has become more confident in his skills and works to improve each day. Always willing to do whatever it takes or is asked of him. Will has been working at understanding the game better and his strengths. He showed tremendous growth this summer and I am excited to see what he does this year.”
Rogers on Burley: “Karson is another one of our players that will be battling for a starting position this year. With his size he provides a good outside and inside game. He continues to learn the game and recognize his strengths. I look for him to be more physical and aggressive this year and to attack the basket. If he does these things, he has a chance to provide another mismatch opportunity for us. He can hit from the outside and has good size to be inside at times as well.”
Rogers will look for his team’s defense to take a step forward this year.
“My goal is for our strength to be on the defensive side. I think we will have some matchup problems with our guards for other teams. We are going to be a hard fighting physical team that gets after it,” Rogers said. “We have struggled defensively some. However, we have put a lot of work in the off-season at getting things together. They know if they want to play, then they will have to defend. Also, we have to improve at the line. We have struggled with this for a while now and it’s something that must get fixed for us to be successful. With the new rule, every free throw has a little extra importance now.”
El Dorado Springs opens the regular season at the Diamond Tournament Nov. 27 through Dec. 2.
“I want our team to be known for being respectful as always,” Rogers said. “Also, I want us to be known for our physicality and determination to just get after you. I want us to be known as a team that plays for each other and leaves everything on the court each night.”
