Hornets face big challenge early

Speed, enthusiasm will be put to use with tough opening schedule.

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer 2:51 AM Friday, December 2, 2011

MONROE — Second-year Monroe High School boys basketball coach Casey Popplewell knows he has a wealth of speed and enthusiasm on this season’s team. Now he just has to find a way to rein it all in.

“We don’t have to motivate them to give effort,” he said. “That enables us to do more with the X’s and O’s, and that will make a big difference come game time.

“What we do have to coach is staying within yourself. Staying within the offense and staying within the offense ... just doing your job.”

Popplewell has two starters back from a 2-19 team in 6-foot-3 junior wingman Marc Hunt, the team’s top returning scorer, and 6-6 sophomore center Chris Sloneker, who led the team in field goal percentage (48.1).

Point guard Manny Boateng played extensively a season ago as well .

“I don’t know how else to say it, but Boateng could be a key for us,” Popplewell said. “We need him to be good. For us to do what we want to do, he’s gotta get the ball to the right spot on the floor every time down.”

The Hornets have seven players who could be pretty interchangeable pieces in the lineup.

The schedule does the Hornets no favors, especially in the early going, when they’ll open Friday on the road against six-time Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division champion Bellbrook.

They have their first home game against Division I Lebanon, followed by a home contest with Franklin. During the holiday break, the Hornets will host SWBL Buckeye contender Carlisle.

Roster

Player Pos. Ht. Yr.

Manny Boateng G 6-0 Jr.

Cameron Coleman G 5-11 So.

Brandon Howard F 6-4 Jr.

Marc Hunt F 6-3 Jr.

Taylor Larison F 6-1 Jr.

Jake Little G 5-9 Jr.

Scott Rupp F 6-3 Sr.

Chris Sloneker C 6-6 So.

Kevin Sloneker F 6-2 Sr.

Joey Waugh G 5-9 Sr.