2020-2021 Moniteau Warrior Boys Basketball Team
The Moniteau boy’s basketball team lost some key components from last year but looks to build off their 12-11 record from a season ago with an underclass that has some basketball talent.
Head coach Mike Jewart will look for his team’s athleticism to propel this year’s squad. “We are not a very big team, our biggest guy will be 6-3” sr. forward Quinton Scriven.”
Returning players include jr., Kyle Pry who averaged 7 points per gam last year, Mason Mershimer a sr., forward; jr., Ryan Jewart who will handle the ball with Pry. Jewart is a good shooter. Adding some size in the paint will be sr. forward Brady Thompson who sat out last season. Tanner Wiliams also looks to see playing time.
New comers into the lineup this year who look to make an impact are Jr., guard, Chance Diaz who has worked hard the last two seasons to put himself in the mix and freshman, Chason Delarosa Rugg who is an all around solid player and excellent shooter. Rugg has the ability to see the floor well and can handle the ball in an up tempo manner.
Since size will be an issue, the Warriors will look to push the ball up the court and run when they can. For head coach Mike Jewart, “rebounding and second chance points will be important for us.” We must be able to shoot the ball well given our lack of size. We must find a way to rebound stressed Jewart.
The Warriors started the season 0-3 but have shown the ability to compete. The Warriors had a gutsy performance against a very strong Karns City team. The Warriors opened up the first quarter ahead nine after one quarter of action. The Warriors even took an 8 point lead into the 4th quarter but the Gremlins size and talent was a little too much. (73-67) The Warriors were led by freshman, guard Chason Delarosa Rugg who lit up the nets for 16 points.
The Warriors rebounded with a 68-51 win over Union. Kyle Pry recorded a double - double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Jewart chipped in with 12 points and Mason Mershimer closed in on a double-double with 10 points and 8 caroms.
The Warriors picked up their 2nd win of the season against Venango Catholic with a 61-44 victory. Kyle Pry recorded another 15 point, 10 rebound performance. Mason Mershimer led the way in scoring with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Nathan Kelly added 11 and Ryan Jewart 10.
The Warriors look to improve on closing out games and working together. The Warriors had a 7 point lead to C-L at the half but lost in a close one, 51-44. Brady Thompson recorded 10 points and 10 boards in the loss. Pry and Rugg each added 11 points.
The Warriors are currently 2-6 and look to use the court time to find team chemistry. “We have not played a lot together, we are young so it will be important to see how this team meshes together in practice in games. We have 9-10 guys that can play , I like our depth,” stated head coach Mike Jewart.
Moniteau has shown that they have multiple scorers on offense and that they have the ability to compete with the better teams in the leauge. Give the Warriors some more time playing together and they just might play the spoiler come play-off time.
Good Luck Warriors!