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This year’s Bulldogs have no shortage of experience, but they have something to prove in order to get to the next level of success.
"They have to prove that they can win close games," said Coach Slaughter. "Toward the end of last year, we improved in that regard," he added. "I just think that we have to be able to finish those games off. That’s the difference between us being the seventh seed instead of the third seed in this tournament."
The Bulldogs won only five games a year ago, due to a heavy turnover in starters, no clear scoring leaders and a change of playing style and philosophy. Slaughter hopes to see improvements in all facets this season as he welcomes back his top three scorers and two of last season’s top three rebounders.
"We’re really a team of role players," he said. "Each has to realize where he fits and do his job to get us where we want to go," he added. "We’re not great at anything," Slaughter admitted, "but on the other hand, we’re not terrible at anything."
Gallatin, which received votes from third to seventh in the seeding meeting, drew Hamilton in the GIT first round for the second straight year, and Coach Slaughter looks at his first round opponent pragmatically.
"If we are to be successful, we will have to play them at some point anyway," he said. "They are a really good team, one of the best we played last season," he adds. "They have nearly everyone back. We’ll do our best, try to be competitive and see what happens. Having juniors and seniors, for the most part, will be something that will help us."
Experience counts
Senior Kale Hefley led the Dogs in scoring last season (10.2 ppg), steals (2.7 pg) and was #2 in assists (2.7). He is one of a group of starters who has shown a great deal of maturity, his coach says.
"Kale has been very, very consistent so far in practices," Coach Slaughter stated. "He was kind of going to be our three-point shooter last season but he never evolved into that," he added. "He developed a slashing style that served him well."
Junior guard Colton Selby quickly worked his way into a starting job last season and brings a toughness to the court from football season.
"He is adapting to the point guard spot, which may not be his natural position, but he’s doing some good things," said Slaughter. "He’s just a tough, tough kid, and may be our best rebounder, despite his size. How he plays may be an indicator of how we play as a team," he added.
Senior post player Derrick Sprague averaged five boards per game last season, and is a good "drop step" guy, according to his coach.
"Derrick is very effective around the basket," he says. "He uses his legs to get position and is very strong going up with the ball," he added. "We were disappointed that we couldn’t get the ball inside more last year."
Senior forward Ben Adams was Gallatin’s top field goal shooter last season at 53%. "He’s a nice complement to Derrick," says Slaughter. "He’s so athletic and will probably guard the other team’s best player most nights. Ben runs the court very well, and with better depth inside, we’ll probably move him outside on occasion," Coach Slaughter added.
The fifth starting spot was slated to go to senior Bobby Rhoades in the early going but a foot injury may limit his playing time in the tournament.
"He’s our best three-point shooter and understands his job out there," his coach commented. "We really struggled last year against zone defenses and we hope Bobby can help loosen things up when we face those situations," he added.
If Rhoades, last season’s jayvee scoring leader, is limited, junior Jason Moore and senior Matt Pottorff will step in and split playing time.
"Jason is a good rebounder and plays pretty good defense," according to Coach Slaughter. "He will play a lot of minutes, and that’s important because he will be a key person for us next year."
Pottorff is an undersized, but natural post player, his coach advises. "He’s not real tall, but is very strong. I’m mostly concerned with him getting on the floor and working hard and playing good defense."
A pleasant surprise for Coach Slaughter has been the development of junior guard Vince Wiley, who will spell Hefley and Selby when needed.
"Vince is small, but quick and aggressive," Coach Slaughter said. "He can shoot the three and will come in and give Kale and Colton much needed rest at times."
Coach Slaughter characterizes senior Casey Alden as a solid defensive player who is working hard on his offensive skills. Senior Ethan Walton will see varsity time in spots because of his three-point shooting skills.
Sophomore Logan Henderson and freshmen Riley Vanatta, Donovan Stout and Brandon Hunt round out the varsity unit.
Early goals
In addition to meeting goals by season’s end, Coach Slaughter has a checklist of things he would like to see his team accomplish as early as this week.
"I’d like to see us play good defensively," he began. "We played mostly zone last year but I’d like to play more man this time," he added. "I think we will be able to do that."
Patience, which leads to fewer turnovers, is another sought after goal. Coach Slaughter was concerned in the off season about how his team would handle pressure.
"Hamilton traps all over the floor and tries to speed up the game," he advised. "We’re going to have to be able to deal with those situations."
Slaughter readily admits that Hamilton is the clear favorite to rule the roost in the Grand River Conference, but sees Gallatin in a second-tier mix along with Maysville, Princeton and South Harrison.