By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Rolla basketball enjoyed another successful campaign last season.
The Bulldogs finished with a 17-10 record, falling to Camdenton in the district opener.
“The Rolla Bulldogs had a solid season last year,” Rolla head coach Mark Miller said. “They have high expectations for this year’s club as they return multiple starters and several lettermen.”
Leading the way for the Bulldogs this season will be a quartet of returning starters in Easton Smith, Ethan Brown, John Papadakos and Cameron Cooper.
Smith, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, averaged 2.1 points and 3.1 rebounds last season.
“Smith plays tough defense, rebounds hard and scores when needed but operates more inside,” Miller said. “He’s got a solid perimeter shot, too, so he can cause matchup problems for other bigs.”
Brown, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, posted 18.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.9 steals per game as a freshman.
“Ethan Brown is a name everyone got to know last season,” Miller said. “As a freshman, he led the team in scoring, shooting 86 percent from the line and 43 percent from 3. To add to that, he also led the team in steals and averaged almost 5 assists per game. He’s already received multiple D1 offers and will be one of Missouri’s premier players to watch over the next three years.”
Papadakos, a 6-foot junior, averaged 9.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals as a sophomore.
“Papadakos is a next level player who can score anywhere on the floor,” Miller said. “He was an Honorable Mention All-Conference, All-District player last year.”
Cooper, a 6-foot-2 senior, recorded 3.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season.
“Cooper is the guy that gets the assignment of stopping the opponent’s best offensive player,” Miller said. “He plays tough defense, rebounds hard and scores when needed.”
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After missing his entire junior season with a knee injury, Isaac Buhr is set to return for his senior season.
“Isaac was the Bulldogs’ sixth man his sophomore year and will be a welcome sight to see on the floor this year,” Miller said.
Senior Nick Shelton, junior Joe Foster and sophomore Jenson Thomas also return for the Bulldogs.
“Nick Shelton can light it up from three and was a big part of what Rolla did last year,” Miller said. “His rebounding, defense and overall feel for the game has improved dramatically and makes Shelton a kid defenses will have to be aware of. Joe Foster and Jenson Thomas, along with Buhr, will be pushing the others for a starting role.”
Miller also expects Tyler Litz, Paxton Ledbetter, Cooper Gideon and Cameron Brown to compete for varsity minutes this season.
“Rolla will be a team that can fill it up and really score points in a hurry,” Miller said. “The key to their success will be how well they rebound and play defense. If those two components come together with their offense being what it is, look out! This will be a fun team to watch.”
Following a Nov. 14 jamboree in Lebanon, Rolla tips off its regular season Nov. 17 in the Bluefish Shootout.
