Scouting Batavia Bulldogs

Batavia Bulldogs

Coach Jim Roberts

Last year 19-8, 10-4, fourth in the Western Sun Conference.

Postseason Lost 74-69 to Neuqua Valley in Class 4A Batavia regional championship game.

Key losses Alex Berg, David Bryant, Ben Potter.

Top returnees Jesse Coffey (6-3, jr., G); Ricky Clopton (6-5, sr., F); Greg Ideran (6-5, sr., F); Adam LeTourneau (6-3, sr., G); Levi Maxey (6-6, jr., C); Chris Roeske (6-4, sr., F); Kyle Schroeder (5-11, sr., G); Sam Shump (5-10, sr., G).

Newcomers to watch Mike Clopton (6-2, jr., F); John Douglas (5-11, jr., G); Braden Hrack (5-9, jr., G); Joe Sortino (6-3, jr., C); Brady Strittmatter (6-4, jr., F); Elliott Vaughn (6-6, jr., C); Cole Gardner (6-5, so., F).

Outlook The Bulldogs' veteran coach will be able to throw his height around, as top-scoring returnees Ricky Clopton (10.8 ppg, 7.4 rebounds) and LeTourneau (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rebounds) head 10 players who stand at least 6 feet tall. "I think the key will be if we play like that," said Roberts, who graduated the program's winningest player in Bryant (Lewis University) and 14-point scorer Potter (Carthage). Gardner and Vaughn - who got a cup of coffee with last year's regional finalist - got a taste this summer, getting "knocked on their backside quite a bit and continuing to compete," Roberts said. In addition to locating the 30 points Potter and Bryant provided, the coach also seeks their leadership, possibly from point guard types Coffey and Shump. Batavia's typically strong schedule will hone them down the stretch, and the Bulldogs should have the bulk to counter Western Sun Conference heavies Jordan Threloff (DeKalb) and Dave Dudzinski (Kaneland). "Like any year," Roberts said, "can we consistently rebound the ball at both ends and can we defend? I think those are the two starting blocks for any season. And, offensively, if we can move the ball and play big, I think we can get some good looks."