MEET THE TEAM
El Dorado basketball has become synonymous with Gary Melcher over the years. His teams can always be counted on to be play good, hard defense and be strong in the fundamentals. But it's been over a decade since the Wildcats have been to the state tournament and it's looking like another difficult task playing a rigorous schedule in Division 3.But the Wildcats return three of their best players, including junior guard Travis House, who was an honorable mention all-state pick last season. Joining him to form the nucleus will be seniors Trevor Crain and Aaron Riffel and that gives El Dorado hope.
Scoring points has been an issue the past few seasons and once again is a concern. Melcher knows El Dorado doesn't have the pieces to get in up-tempo games, so the Wildcats will likely slow it down again this season and try to win games in the halfcourt.
Maintaining El Dorado's reputation as a defensively tough squad will be a challenge. This group has to prove it can defend to Melcher's expectations and early on he has said he's simplified the concepts. But El Dorado will play its traditional man defense and try to keep games in the 40's and 50's.
McPherson is clearly the class of the division, but there's no reason why El Dorado can't finish in the top-half of the standings this season. Look for another big season from House and the rest of the pieces to fill in around him, as El Dorado hovers around .500 this season.
MEET THE CAST
#22 | TRAVIS HOUSE | WING | 6'1" | JUNIOR
An honorable mention all-state player as a sophomore, House is the best playmaker on the team and has the rare ability to create his own offense. If El Dorado improves, it will do so on the heels of a big season from him.
#30 | AARON RIFFEL | GENERAL | 5'10" | SENIOR
The top reserve last season, Riffel gets the bump up into the starting lineup his senior year. Expect his scoring to increase along with his playing time and give the Wildcats a scoring punch to go along with House.
#34 | TREVOR CRAIN | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
The most reliable post player returning from last season, he averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds. Those numbers will continue to creep upward this season as Crain takes a more important role.
#42 | COLLIN JUST | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
Ended up being a spot starter last season and will likely get bumped into the lineup more regularly this season. One of four seniors that will be a big part of the lineup.
#20 | SAM HAINES | WING | 5'11" | SENIOR
A senior that will have to step up this season after not seeing much time last year. He'll provide relief for House and Riffel and has the ability to play alongside them as well.
#44 | JARED HAURY | POST | 6'5" | JUNIOR
An interesting prospect that has the length at 6-5 to cause havoc on the defensive end and could end being a valuable part to El Dorado's defensive efforts as the protector of the rim.
An honorable mention all-state player as a sophomore, House is the best playmaker on the team and has the rare ability to create his own offense. If El Dorado improves, it will do so on the heels of a big season from him.
#30 | AARON RIFFEL | GENERAL | 5'10" | SENIOR
The top reserve last season, Riffel gets the bump up into the starting lineup his senior year. Expect his scoring to increase along with his playing time and give the Wildcats a scoring punch to go along with House.
#34 | TREVOR CRAIN | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
The most reliable post player returning from last season, he averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds. Those numbers will continue to creep upward this season as Crain takes a more important role.
#42 | COLLIN JUST | POST | 6'3" | SENIOR
Ended up being a spot starter last season and will likely get bumped into the lineup more regularly this season. One of four seniors that will be a big part of the lineup.
#20 | SAM HAINES | WING | 5'11" | SENIOR
A senior that will have to step up this season after not seeing much time last year. He'll provide relief for House and Riffel and has the ability to play alongside them as well.
#44 | JARED HAURY | POST | 6'5" | JUNIOR
An interesting prospect that has the length at 6-5 to cause havoc on the defensive end and could end being a valuable part to El Dorado's defensive efforts as the protector of the rim.
FROM COACH MELCHER
"I think one thing we've got to do is get off to a good start. Success breeds success and lack of success leads to questioning and lack of belief. Last year we were in several games and when it came time to make a play we just didn't make it. We need to find that confidence."
THE PREDICTION
El Dorado could very well be a better team from a year ago, but the record might not show it. With McPherson dropping down a division, it's going to be awfully tough for anyone to contend with them. Buhler and Mulvane will also be difficult to deal with, but I think El Dorado can steal a game and challenge for a finish in the top-half of the division this season.
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