Blending the old with the new is the latest concoction that Randy Smithpeters is busy brewing in his lab, better known as Davenport Gymnasium.
The Harrisburg boys' basketball coach, who is beginning his 27th season, has a roster that includes four seniors and four juniors to compliment one sophomore and four freshman.
The ratio of 8 to 5 means that not only does Smithpeters have depth, but he also has some developing he needs to do.
"We have some experience coming back so I think we have to blend that with a lot of our inexperience to put our best group on the floor," Smithpeters said. "I think that will take time. I still think that it's going to be a growing year for the most part because our younger players are going to have to contribute. That's kind of where our program is right now -- at a stage where we're still developing. This group and the groups behind them to come in and blend together. My hopes are that we improve every game. My hopes are that we are better at Christmas than what we are right now. I don't expect to be very sharp to start with but just improve."
Seniors on this year's Bulldog roster include Darion Barners, Zayne Hayes, Brannden Watson and Will Gibbs, while Javie Beal, Ben Brombaugh, Jesse Lawler and Andrew Bittle make up the junior class.
The lone sophomore is Michael Godsey, while four freshmen, Myles Crank, Vandre McIntosh, Andrew Unthank and Nate Lawrence round out the roster.
The balance for Smithpeters will not only be putting a team on a floor that combat last year's 7-22 season, but blending a lineup that will be beneficial for the future.
"I think that our young people developing are what will make us better in the future," Smithpeters said. "By the future, I mean this season as it progresses and next year and the year after. I think that's one of the things that we have to look at. I think our competition will be tough as it always is. I think one of my big questions will be how we handle adversity because there will be adversity. We're not the kind of team that is going to slide through. Majority of the season will be great, we'll face some adversity, we'll face some personal adversity as far as individual players and some team adversity. That's part of athletics no matter what sport you're in but especially in basketball I think because it's such a competitive sport."
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
Harrisburg Boys Basketball Schedule
11-26 at Goreville 6:15PM12-13 FRANKFORT 6:15PM
12-20 at Massac Co. 6:15PM
12-21 at DuQuoin 2PM
12-26 Eldorado Holiday Tournament TBA
12-27 Eldorado Holiday Tournament TBA
12-28 Eldorado Holiday Tournament TBA
1-3 at Benton 6:15PM
1-10 MURPHYSBORO 6:15PM
1-11 at Anna-Jonesboro 6:15PM
1-17 at Herrin 6:15PM
1-20 CWCIT TBA
1-21 CWCIT TBA
1-22 CWCIT TBA
1-23 CWCIT TBA
1-24 CWCIT TBA
1-31 at Frankfort 6:15PM
2-7 MASSAC CO. 6:15PM
2-8 at Rich Herrin Classic TBA
2-11 at Meridian 6:15PM
2-14 BENTON 6:15PM
2-15 at Murphysboro 6:15PM
2-18 CARTERVILLE 6:15PM
2-21 HERRIN 6:15PM
Harrisburg Boys Basketball Roster
No. Name Hgt. Pos. Class
3 Michael Godsey 5-11 G So.
4 Darion Barners 6-0 G Sr.
11 Zayne Hayes 6-2 F Sr.
12 Javie Beal 6-0 G Jr.
15 Myles Crank 5-3 G Fr.
20 Ben Brombaugh 5-11 G Jr.
21 Brannden Watson 6-5 F Sr.
22 Vandre McIntosh 5-9 G Fr.
23 Will Gibbs 5-11 G Sr.
25 Andrew Unthank 5-10 G Fr.
30 Jesse Lawler 6-2 G Jr.
32 Nate Lawrence 6-2 F Fr.
33 Andrew Bittle 5-10 G Jr.
Head coach: Randy Smithpeters
Assistant coaches: Richard Dwyer, Eric Griffin, Don Gines
