HOUNDS SHOOT HIGH

Steady improvement and more victories in the win column has been the modus operandi the past few years for the Maryville boys’ basketball team.

Coach Mike Kuwitzky believes it'll be a continuing trend and not just this season, but for years to come.

This week's basketball camp at the Maryville High School has given him a glimpse of the future and the future looks good.

"I'm real encouraged. I'm real positive," Kuwitzky said. "We've got great numbers. We have 33 for the high school, and all three camps together (elementary, junior high and high school) we're in the 60s.

"I'm real encouraged about the interest."

Kuwitzky said there's depth and talent in each of the high school classes, which should provide plenty of competition during practices. He also sees good numbers in the junior high and elementary camps, which bodes well for the future generations.

There's also reason to be excited about the immediate future. Those classes are led by a class of six seniors. Almost all of them either started or played significant varsity time in 2008-09.

"They're experienced and they're playing a lot of ball," Kuwitzky said. "They've been through the wars a little bit last year so they kind of know how to lead these guys. I'm excited about that because I think they really want to do well."

There's always work to be done though.

This week Kuwitzky said they spent the first couple of days working on individual aspects of the game including fundamentals. The second half of the week was spent on things as a team.

"We've got to really work on stopping the other team's drives," Kuwitzky said. "That's so much of the game now. Other teams want to take the ball into the paint.

"So, we've got to work on our help side."

Offensively, Kuwitzky said the Spoofhounds have the ability to be successful in a transition game. However, he wants to be able to score points out of a set offense as well.

"If we can't push it, they take away the break, then we've got to be able to get some points out of our offense," Kuwitzky said.

With good shooting on the perimeter and senior Adam Thomson down low, Maryville will have options to choose from during games.

"Adam Thomson is really a force inside," Kuwitzky said. "He really wants to do well. He's a good leader."

Kuwitzky said Josh Elliott has stepped up into the role as well, leading by example. Kuwitzky also continues to be impressed with the improvement of forward Keenan Joiner. He said he's the most improved player on the floor.

There are also some young players making a name for themselves already despite a lack of experience. Sophomore Tyler Walter and junior Tyler Peavy held their own against the seniors in a five-on-five scrimmage during the camp.

Camp isn't the only reason Kuwitzky sees promise in the upcoming season. The Spoofhounds are proven against similar competition. Kuwitzky said he took two teams up to the Creighton team camp this summer and both went 5-1.

"We did better last year than we did before, and I think we can do better this year than last year," Kuwitzky said. "I really do. These guys are setting their goals high.

"I think that they can and we ought to have success."