By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Rolla boys basketball team will have a largely new look this season.
The Bulldogs graduated four starters from last season’s 20-9 squad, a quartet that accounted for 75 percent of the team’s offense. They also lost sixth man Isaac Burr, who was projected to transition into a starting role before he went down with what coach Mark Miller described as “a severe knee injury which could keep him on the sidelines for the entire season.”
While Miller’s squad will begin the season with a shortage of varsity experience, the coach said there’s no shortage of talent on the roster.
“The challenge for this team will be inexperience, but the strength these guys bring in the skills of basketball far outweigh any lack they might have,” Miller said. “This is a team that will shoot the ball at a high percentage from 3, has a big post presence, can run, plays solid defense and rebounds well.”
All things considered, Miller sees no reason to believe the Bulldogs will not be a contender in the Ozark Conference and challenge for what would be the program’s fifth district championship since 2017-18.
“It should prove to be another exciting and successful season of Bulldog basketball in Rolla again this year,” the coach said.
The Bulldogs will be led by 6-foot-8 senior Luke Foster, who is coming off a breakout junior campaign in which he averaged 12 points and team-best six rebounds a night. Those numbers earned him spots on the all-conference and all-district teams.
Foster is Rolla’s lone returning starter, although classmate Aaron Cook and junior Cameron Cooper have seen some varsity action at guard.
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“Rolla will rely heavily on several players that are inexperienced at the varsity level,” Miller said. “Besides Foster, returning lettermen Cooper and Cook bring the most experience with them and (they) are tremendous defenders who play their offensive roles well.”
With few returning players, the Bulldogs have plenty of competition for the open spots in their lineup.
Miller said Ethan Brown, a 6-foot-3 freshman guard, and John Papadakos, a 6-foot sophomore guard/forward, have been particularly impressive during the offseason.
“They both bring a lot of scoring to the table and are excellent ball handlers,” Miller said. “Several others, though not experienced on the varsity floor, will be vying for major minutes.”
That group includes junior Nick Shelton, who Miller described as a “sharpshooter” who led the junior varsity in 3-pointers last year. Seniors Caden Martens and Amari Terrell will also “be a vital part of Rolla’s plans” as role players, the coach added.
Sophomore Joey Foster, who is Luke’s younger brother, is already “one of the best shooters on the team,” Miller added. The younger Foster and freshmen Easton Smith and Jenson Thomas could all make important contributions this winter.
“All three will be working their way into their spot on this varsity team,” Miller said.
While Rolla’s roster is short on experience, the team’s coaches are not.
Assistant coaches Doc Roberts (over 40 years of experience), Josh Vinyard (18 years) and Shannon Snitker (over 10 years) are all coaching veterans, while former Rolla standout Mike Miller will be joining the staff. Mike Miller played collegiately at Missouri S&T and “brings a high level of knowledge, motivation and energy,” to the program, Mark Miller said.
Following a November 15 jamboree at Lebanon, the Bulldogs will open the regular season during the BSN Shootout on November 18 and 19 in Rolla.
They will open their Ozark Conference schedule on January 3 at Kickapoo.
Rolla’s schedule also includes visits to the Republic Invitational (December 1-3), US Bank Holiday Tournament (December 27-29 in Rolla) and St. James Invitational (January 16-21).
