Semoball

Zalma boys basketball aims to remain competitive while filling some big shoes

Bryant Fernetti returns to lead Zalma in his fifth season as coach.
Southeast Missourian file

The Zalma boys basketball team has settled into a level at which it has posted double-digit wins each of the last three years under coach Bryant Fernetti.

The challenge in 2017-18 will be maintaining or bettering those results while also replacing three starters, including a couple of multi-year, high-level performers.

It wasn't just quality, either -- Zalma graduated a seven-man senior class, which is a massive unit for a Class 1 school.

Fernetti believes that there is a solid enough foundation at this point, though, to survive those departures. So far, the coach has been satisfied with what he's seen in practice, with a group of players who knew what was expected of them entering the season.

"We have some of our guys that came off the bench (last year) who are going to have to be starters, and we were fortunate to have a student move in who will be a starter and a key contributer," Fernetti said.

"It's hard to replace a Jacob Steinberg, a Peyton Ford, a Logan Borders, but with the guys we do have back and some kids coming in for us, I think we'll be able to compete just like we did last season."

Steinberg (16 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game) and Ford (8.0 rpg, 8.5 assists per game) are no longer around to lead a squad that went 13-13 last year, but Zalma does return its leading scorer from a year ago in Dallan Stotts, who posted 16.5 ppg and 4.0 rpg last season. Fernetti said that the 5-foot-11 senior has developed from a pure shooter earlier in his career to a well-rounded presence on both sides of the court.

"He's just worked himself into a lot better shape and more athleticism than when he was younger," Fernetti said. "He dedicated himself to doing that, and he's a leader to the other kids. Everyone in the program looks up to him."

Alex Durbin also returns after earning a starting role as a freshman. He will provide an inside presence who understands his role: rebounding and good defense.

The Bulldogs got an unexpected boost when Ridge Littleton moved into the area from Bernie, and the senior will step into the backcourt and help fill the void left by the graduated starters.

"He'll be the guy who'll be asked to handle the ball and also be our top playmaker," Fernetti said. "We were fortunate enough to have him move in, and I think he'll be one of our better players."

Junior Mayson Casey will carry a major load in the backcourt as well, helping Zalma on the offensive end after playing a smaller role a year ago.

Fernetti believes that he has a number of players who can be counted on to contribute on the offensive end. The key will be getting those with less experience up to speed.

"I think we'll have pretty good team speed and be able to score the basketball," the coach said. "We've got a number of guys who can shoot the ball.

"(But) we'll have to rely on some kids who might not have been big-time contributors coming into the season. It'll just be how fast they can adjust to varsity basketball."

Zalma's ability to maintain its level of success or even take a step forward will likely come down to the performance defensively, combined with the learning curve for those younger players.

"I think we're just going to have to get ... our overall team selling out every possession on defense," Fernetti said. "I feel confident we can score the basketball, we've just got to commit to playing defense every possession.

"(The goal is) just going out and competing every game no matter who we're playing. Finding ourselves in the winner's bracket in our tournaments is always a goal of ours. Obviously we'd like to win, but I'd just like to put ourselves in a position to do so. Just compete every possession of every night."


CLASS 1 DISTRICT 2

Conference

Mississippi Valley

Head coach

Bryant Fernetti

(5th year)

ROSTER

No.PlayerYearHt.
3Mayson Casey115-11
10Tiffany Clark115-4
13Cody Robertson115-8
14Zach Findley106-1
15Mikey Kuper106-1
20Ethan Barrett105-9
21Christian Shaw116-0
23Ridge Littleton126-2
30Alex Durbin106-1
33Dallan Stotts125-11
45Michael Siebert116-2

STARTERS GONE

Logan Borders

Peyton Ford

Jacob Steinberg

STARTERS BACK

Alex Durbin

Dallan Stotts

SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime
11/27Woodland Invitational Tourn.
12/5@Greenville7:30 p.m.
12/8Naylor7:30 p.m.
12/15Lesterville7:30 p.m.
12/19Eagle Ridge7:30 p.m.
12/26Valle Catholic Tourn.
1/3Bell City7:30 p.m.
1/5Delta7:30 p.m.
1/8@Puxico7:30 p.m.
1/9Richland7:30 p.m.
1/12@Oak Ridge7:30 p.m.
1/16@Advance7:30 p.m.
1/22@Scott City 7:30 p.m.
1/23@Meadow Heights7:30 p.m.
1/26Marquand7:30 p.m.
1/29Mississippi Valley Conf. Tourn.
2/6Chaffee7:30 p.m.
2/9Woodland7:30 p.m.
2/13@Leopold7:30 p.m.

LAST SEASON

RECORD

13-13

LEADERS

Points: Dallan Stotts (16.5 ppg)

Rebounds: Jacob Steinberg (9.5 rpg)

Assists: Peyton Ford (8.5 apg)

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: