Aaron Fiene's first year in the head coach role could be an exciting one.
The Steeleville Warriors bring back most of their size from last year's 20-10 team that won the Cahokia Conference Kaskaskia Division title for the second straight year, but fell to Christopher in the semifinals of the Class 1A Crab Orchard Regional.
"What we're preaching this year is intensity, especially on the defensive end," Fiene said. "With our size, we'd like to get the ball inside first and try and work it out.
"Getting layups and getting to the rim."
Steeleville has three players 6-foot-4 or taller in Noah Valleroy (6-7), Nick Ebers (6-6) and Eli Wittenborn (6-4). Ebers is also an outside shooting presence who can hit 3-pointers with regularity.
"We're going to try and win on the defensive end and let the offensive take care of itself," Fiene said. "Defense is an attitude. We can teach them positioning, but they have to bring that attitude and intensity every game."
Fiene named guards Owen Gross, Brad Mevert and Mel Mulholland as players to watch this season.
"I look for him to take a big step as far as leadership and handling the ball," Fiene said of Gross. "He's a really good player.
"Brad Mevert is looking good as another guard and Mel Mulholland is playing again this year."
Fiene was asked his thoughts on Jordan Wilson, who could be one of Steeleville's impact sophomores this season.
"Jordan is a very strong kid, so he's only a sophomore, and he can handle a big guy physically," Fiene said. "We have to get him some experience for the end of the year."
Schedule-wise, Steeleville starts the season on Monday with a marquee matchup against Harrisburg in Murphysboro as part of the combined Murphysboro/Trico basketball tournament. Opening tip is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Bulldogs were picked to win the SIRR Ohio Division by A Baseline View.
"We get to start our year off against Harrisburg and they're a very solid program and well-coached and we're looking forward to that challenge," Fiene said. "We want to play as many tough teams as we can."
Fiene was asked his thoughts on Kaskaskia Division competition, especially now that Red Bud has joined the division. ABV picked Red Bud to win the division, with Steeleville picked second.
"Red Bud has moved into our conference, so I look for them to be a pretty good team," he said. "Valmeyer sticks out a little bit to me, they've got some good players coming back."
Roster
Seniors - #50 Noah Valleroy (6-7, center); #23 Nick Ebers (6-6, forward); #44 Eli Wittenborn (6-4, forward); #40 Dylan Foutch (6-1, forward).
Juniors - #3 Owen Gross (6-1, guard); #24 Brad Mevert (6-1, guard); #5 Mel Mulholland (6-0, guard); #11 Gavin Conway (5-11, guard); #1 A.J. Stearns (6-0, guard).
Sophomores - #20 Austin Hagel (5-10, guard); #42 Jordan Wilson (6-3, forward); #25 Jacob Sutton (5-9, guard); #10 Drew Gerlach (5-8, guard).
