Change isn't something the Maryville High School boys basketball team has experienced much of the past few years.

That's all going to change in the 2008-09 season.

Gone will be Andy Walter, one of the most prolific scorers and tenacious defenders in Spoofhounds'. Aaron Dueker's combination of height and range ... gone. Ryan Sudhoff's hustle and ability to bang with bigger players also won't be a staple to Spoofhounds' ball next winter.

"We lost some quality seniors last year, and we've got to replace those," Maryville coach Mike Kuwitzky said. "Andy (Walter) and (Aaron) Dueker were our leading scorers. But camp's going really good.

"The kids are really working hard. We've got good numbers."

Kuwitzky got one of his first chances to dissect his new team and its style this week during the Spoofhounds' team camp at Maryville High School.

Already he can see that numbers and work ethic will likely be the key to Maryville's success next season.

While it's tough to replace the aforementioned players. There are plenty willing to step up and try if not surpass those players like John Farmer, Adam Mattson, Seth Staashelm and a slew of other up-and-comers.

Once again the Spoofhounds are lacking in the height department. However, Kuwitzky's said he's hoping an incredible amount of speed in the backcourt and depth in the frontcourt will help counteract any disadvantages due to a lack of height. This is where the numbers and work ethic come into play.

While the Spoofhounds won't change their game plan fundamentally, their style of play may look a little bit different. Kuwitzky said he's expecting stronger defense, more turnovers and more transitional plays. To keep up that kind of pace required to play that type of game, the players are going to have to be in excellent shape and have able backups ready to come in at any time.

Neither should be a problem.

"I think we're a little bit deeper," Kuwitzky said. "I think we'll play more people this year.
"I think we can go 10 deep pretty good."

If he's confident that any 10 players can carry the load at any given time, Kuwitzky can substitute freely throughout the game without fear of dropping off in talent.

He won't just be looking for his players to run the floor. They'll also need to put some points on the board. In years past, Walter had the ability to put up 20 or more points a game and basically carry the team at times.

That likely won't be the case this season, and the Spoofhounds will need to share the scoring load.

"We're going to have to have some people pick up the slack for sure," Kuwitzky said. "We're going to miss Andy's points. I think everyone's going to have to have a role."

One of the things Kuwitzky's trying to figure out this summer during camp is what each player's role is. He said the juniors play well together and the seniors play well together. However, he has to get them all playing cohesively so freely substituting either a junior or a senior into the mix won't disrupt the team's rhythm.

"That's what we've got to establish now," Kuwitzky said. "We've got Tapp's (Northwest Missouri State coach Steve Tappmeyer) team camp this weekend. We've got a chance to go out and play some other competition.

"That's what we're trying to do at camp now is get our nucleus and get them repetitions together."

The Spoofhounds have already participated in a summer camp at Creighton (Neb.) University where they went 4-2 against competition Kuwitzky called "good". By the end of the summer, Kuwitzky figured Maryville will play in 10 to 15 regulation games. They'll also spend a lot of time working together during open gym throughout the summer.

"Having those games, that's what gives you the summer experience," Kuwitzky said. "I think that's vital to our success next year, and they're willing to put the time in to do it.
"That's what I like about our kids. They'll put the time in."