Better shooting No. 1 priority

The Indians are in year two under coach Jim Melton, and had the first season end on a sour note with a two-point loss to a conference rival.

Melton returns a half dozen seniors, and is focusing on one thing in particular — shooting better.

“One of our focal points, especially from a staff perspective, is to be a better offensive unit,” said Melton, whose Tribe teams opens the season Friday at St. Marys Memorial. “One of our weaknesses last year was our shooting, in particular (the 32-30 sectional final loss to Marion Local). It really haunted us. We had great looks and we weren’t on that night which cost us as well.

“I don’t want to get stuck into a low-possession and low-scoring game again when we feel like we’ve got pretty good athletes and we can get out and get after people. We have to become a better shooting team. That is priority No. 1.”

The Indians, who were 16-7 in Melton’s first year, shot 43.9% from the field. Four players, including three of this year’s seniors, shot better than 50%.

Brian Bihn, a 6-foot, 6-inch senior forward, was 55.6% and led the team with 10 points per game. He was one of the team’s best from the free-throw line, and his 4.9 rebounds per game were second on the squad.

“He brings a lot to the table, not just with his interior offense and defense, but he’s a high IQ basketball guy,” Melton said. “He’s a good free-throw shooter. Hoping he picks up from last year and adds to that this year and continues his grow and maturity.”

Clay Schmitz, a 6-4 senior who can play both forward positions, averaged nine points and a team-high six rebounds per game. He too was solid from the stripe, going 72.5% — three tenths of a percentage point better than Bihn — and has the ability to shoot from the perimeter as well.

“He shows a lot of leadership skills,” Melton said, noting he and classmate Derek Jutte are the team’s captains. “Clay does a lot of things for us, not necessarily from a defensive standpoint, but with communication. He’s an integral part for us.”

Jutte, who is 6-2, will handle the point guard duties. He developed into the role at the tail end of last year, and Melton has been impressed with the way he improved as a junior.

“I’m excited to see where he takes us this year,” he said, noting the guard’s 2.02 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Regan Martin (6-feet, 1-inches), Gavin Thobe (6-feet, 3 inches) and Dillan Evers (6-feet, 4-inches) are the other three seniors on the team. Melton said Martin’s defensive prowess tends to get overlooked, Thobe has the ability to run the floor well and Evers brings a lot to the table with his own athleticism and rebounding ability.

The Indians also have juniors Owen Jutte and Caleb Evers, who are 6-3 and 6-4, respectively, and 6-5 sophomore guard Cale Rammel. All nine players on the varsity roster are 6-1 or taller.

Melton said Owen Jutte will be a starter as a shooting guard in the absence of departed senior Grant Knapke, and Cale Rammel “has arguably got the best overall basketball skills on the team. He will be a contributor and will be knocking on the door to get in that first group.”

Derek Jutte, Schmitz and Bihn are bonafide starters. Owen Jutte, Martin and Rammel will be in a rotation for the shooting guard and small forward positions. Thobe can play either small or power forward, and Dillan Evers will rotate from power forward and center. Schmitz can also spell move up to center should the lineup cause him to do so.

“That’s the rotational group,” Melton said. “Little thin in the backcourt, but Caleb, Owen, Derek and Regan can play those spots.”

Fort Recovery finished in a three-way tie for third in the Midwest Athletic Conference last year at 5-4, with Versailles winning its fifth conference title and Parkway, which advanced to the regional final before the season was halted because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as the runner-up.

With a combination of the six seniors and the experience of the others, Melton feels as if the Indians can be right in the heat of the battle for the MAC championship.

“As you know, the MAC is one of the best conferences, if not the best, in the state of Ohio,” he said. “Every night you have to bring it because it doesn’t matter how you play, it’s going to be a dogfight.”

The Indians open conference play on the road Dec. 11 against Delphos St. Johns. They also have road MAC tilts against New Knoxville (Jan. 8), St. Henry (Jan. 22) and Versailles (Feb. 12). Fort Site Fieldhouse will host Parkway (Dec. 18), Marion Local (Jan. 15), Coldwater (Jan. 29), Minster (Feb. 5) and New Bremen (Feb. 19).

“We’re hopeful to be in the mix with leadership and our veteran group back,” Melton said. “That all looks good on paper but that’s what it is, it’s paper. You’ve got to go out and play the game.”