New Look, Same Goal For Eagles
There’s only two seniors on the roster and some inexperience, but Sullivan head coach Dino McKinney is hopeful a new wave of players and bigger contributions from returners Caleb Todd and Cody McKinney will propel the Eagles to their first district title since 2003.
McKinney, now in his seventh season, repeatedly praised the work ethic of his team, which will look much different when they open the season Monday, Nov. 27 against Potosi in the fourth annual FCNB Bank It Championship.
Despite the roster turnover and the departure of top two scorers Jared Woodcock and Caleb Stack, Four Rivers Conference coaches voted Sullivan second in the preseason poll. Opposing coaches in the tournament made Sullivan the top seed, which McKinney took as a sign that teams hold Sullivan in high regard.
Sullivan will play small, especially inside where they’ll look to forwards Jacob Rohrer, Jacob Hatcher and Austin Lewis. McKinney is hoping senior Kaleb Lucas, who goes 6-foot-7, can be brought up to speed and provide contributions.
In the meantime, Sullivan will rely on shooting, quickness and fundamentals to carry them.
“I’m impressed just by how hard they work,” McKinney said. “This team has played together for awhile. We lack size, but we shoot the ball extremely well. There’s seven to eight kids who can shoot 3’s and make it difficult for teams.”
To make up for the size disadvantage, McKinney said the players are boxing out and looking to create mismatches on offense.
Cody McKinney shot 38 percent from beyond the arc last season, averaging 10 points and dishing six assists per game. Todd, who was a varsity newcomer last season, averaged seven points and established himself as a capable ball handler and scoring threat.
Rohrer, Lewis, Austin Frye, Landon Hoffman, Kyler Crump, Josh Wiese, Cameron Cunningham and Jacob Hatcher are this season’s newcomers and McKinney has reason to be optimistic about their arrival. Those players mostly appeared in junior varsity action the past two seasons and racked up a combined 38 wins. Hoffman, Lewis and Frye appeared in just a handful of varsity games.
Jamboree
Sullivan participated in a Jamboree Thursday at St. Charles West. They played against the host Warriors, Fort Zumwalt East and O’Fallon Christian. McKinney said all three teams were good and they ended the two quarters ahead of all three.
Upcoming
Sullivan will play a string of home games in December. After traveling to Blair Oaks Friday, Dec. 8, they host the Bank of Sullivan Shootout Dec. 9, Washington Dec. 12, Borgia Dec. 19 and Seckman Dec. 21.