After starting last season at 2-8, the Elsberry Indians reversed their fortunes and go on an 11-5 run after Christmas to finish at the .500 mark and in third place with a 7-3 conference record.

After losing his top scorers to graduation, Indian Head Coach Brandon Moeller is counting on a more balanced offensive attack to help his team take the next step competitively.

“We should be a more balanced offensive team with multiple guys that can score the ball,” Moeller said. “We want to continue to be more efficient on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and recommit to the process; shooting shots that are efficient for us, taking care of the ball, forcing other teams to shoot outside shots, and creating turnovers.”

Moeller isn’t exactly starting from scratch with three returning letter winners, including senior starters Deavion Dodson (8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals per game) and Noah Wilson (7 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 steals). Junior Noah Hausgen, at 6’4”, returns to the power forward position where he averaged 3 points and 4 boards a year ago.

Moeller said he expects his team to play an aggressive style of basketball. “We are athletic and quick, so creating turnovers and attacking the basket on offense have to be priorities for us,” he said.

He added though that in addition to better shooting, he needs to see that energy extended full court.

“We need to improve our outside shooting so that defenses have to extend more to guard us,” he said. “On the defensive side, we have to finish the play by securing rebounds and loose balls.”

If the Indians can do that, Moeller expects them to be competitive again this year in conference and districts, where they were knocked out in the first round last year.

“In conference play, I anticipate us being one of the better teams along with Montgomery County, Bowling Green, and Clopton,” Moeller said. “Our district is made up of us, Bowling Green, Priory, Whitfield, Valley Park, Duchesne, and Principia. A lot of really good teams in our district, but if we continue our growth and development we can definitely compete against these teams. There’s no team that’s head and shoulders above everyone else, so it should be a fun, wide-open district tournament.”