Jays remain focused on defense heading into season

Jefferson City's Ben Folz returns as a versatile player for the Jays this season.
Jefferson City's Ben Folz returns as a versatile player for the Jays this season.

Jefferson City boys basketball coach Mark Anderson likes a team that can defend well.

The Jays struggled in that area at times during last season's 11-13 campaign.

"We spend a lot more time on the defensive end," Anderson said as his team opens the season today at Sedalia Smith-Cotton. "I didn't like how we guarded last year. I thought we gave up too many easy baskets. We're going to find guys that can guard."

Funny to mention that. The Jays did find someone who they hope can guard the paint this season.

Michael Appiah-Brefo, a 6-foot-4 senior from Overland High School in Aurora, Colo., is expected to start at forward.

Appiah-Brefo started for the Jays in all three of their scrimmages in last Thursday's Jamboree at Helias, and showed off his blocking skills.

"He is more of a defensive-minded player, but we're making strides with him," Anderson said. " I think he'll be able to score inside for us. I think he'll be able to step out and shoot a little bit for us."

Joining Appiah-Brefo in the post is returning 6-4 senior Ryan Brooks.

"Before we kind of realized what we had in Michael it was not our intention to play two bigs out there at the same time," Anderson said. "But Michael is able to guard some 3s and 4s. It gives us a little bit more flexibility."

Like Appiah-Brefo, Brooks' strengths might be on the defensive and rebounding aspects of the game.

"He's going to be a guy that gives you 100 percent with everything he does," Anderson said. "He's always in the right spot, he can guard the post. We're not going to get a ton of points out of him, but I think he's going to be a guy that will screen for us and will knock down an occasional shot and just play hard and do what we need him to do."

Brenden Hoener, a 6-8 junior, and junior Chris Helming will add depth at forward for Jefferson City.

"He's got tremendous size," Anderson said of Hoener. "He needs to get a little bit stronger, but he's had a good preseason. He's a kid that may gain some minutes as we make our way throughout the year."

Returning to the point guard spot is junior Brennan Jeffries.

"I think he's matured in terms of not letting things get to him as much as he's gotten older," Anderson said. "He's really good with the ball. He can knock down shots. He does a lot of things for us."

Like last season, Anderson is searching for more ball handlers.

"We do think we have a little more depth a point this year than we had last year," Anderson said. "We really felt last year when Brennan wasn't in the game we really struggled to handle the ball. We think Rayvon Webster will be able to give us some minutes."

Webster is a junior for the Jays.

Stepping into a more prominent role at guard this season is sophomore Sterling DeSha, who played well at the junior varsity level and played some varsity minutes last season.

"I think he's going to be really good at everything, but he's still kind of getting his legs underneath him and kind of seeing where he is," Anderson said. "He can really shoot it. He can guard, he's smart, he does a lot of screening, he's in the right spot all the time. He's gotten better defensively. He moves better laterally this year."

Ben Folz, a junior, is expected to start and brings the ability to play inside and out.

"Ben can guard some bigger guys too, so we feel like we have some flexibility with that lineup," Anderson said.

Hudson Nilges, a senior guard, will bring his shooting ability to the floor once he's healthy.

"We're hoping to get him back at some point to give us another guard, another shooter," Anderson said.

Keith Driver is another guard who missed the Jamboree, but could help out on the defensive end when he returns to action.

"He's just kind of an Energizer Bunny," Anderson said. "He just comes in and defends the ball and is able to move the ball up the floor. He could see some minutes for us."

Other guards for the Jays are senior Levi Jobe, junior Kaidyn Johnson and sophomore Marshaun Dye.

"He'll play some pretty major minutes for us," Anderson said of Johnson. "He's kind of a wing player that can shoot it a little bit, can get to the rim a little bit. We're kind of excited about where he can be for us."

The Jays are in a different district this season, but are grouped with the same teams as last year with the addition to Timberland.

Battle, Holt and Troy-Buchanan round out Class 5 District 7. Holt will serve as host.

"I think we were all kind of surprised by that with how wide that district is," Anderson said. "Battle has got a good team. Holt obviously played well last year and (coach Charles Arnold) does a great job with them. We played Timberland last year at our place so we have some familiarity with them, too. And obviously Troy will be really good. We'd certainly like to bounce back and get a district championship."