By Tiffany L. Rehbein
They proved they can score.
The District 10-C J-I Rams (1-0 conference, 1-1 overall) are young and quick and they can shoot.
In the opening-season 79-63 win over the Sunburst Refiners, five Rams hit double figures, led by 6-foot-2 junior Ivan Van Dessel and Curtis May, who poured in 17 points apiece.
Senior Brett Spicher scored 16 points, while sophomore Jeremiah Johnson added 13, and sophomore Jeremy May chipped in 10 points.
"Our team strengths would have to be speed in the front court and athleticism," said first-year head coach Tom Degel.
Without much height, an up-tempo game could keep the guards in the action.
Spicher averaged 6.2 points last season, while classmate Dustin Evans averaged 5.0 points.
Junior Curtis May, one of the tallest at 6-foot-2, led the team last season, averaging 11.5 points per game.
Jim Fossen, Mitch Johnson, Eric Sundgren, Curt Lineweaver, and Jeff Bangs are all returning letterwinners from last season's team that went 6-15.
"The best thing that I saw after one weekend was that the kids kept heart and kept a good attitude," Degel said.
The District 9-C KG KouGars handed the Rams a 77-44 loss on Dec. 11.
"We shot layup after layup and couldn't get them to drop," Degel said. The Rams outshot the KouGars by more than 10 shots in the contest, however, KG tallied 14 more field goals.
"We are going to run a lot this year," Degel said. "It takes a long time to learn the offense we are going to install this year, so I am looking to get get into the district tournament reaching our peak."
The Rams will end the year of '99 with two home games Dec. 17 and 18, when they meet Big Sandy and Sunburst.
J-I Rams Boys' Basketball Schedule
Dec.
17
Big Sandy
Home
18
Sunburst
Home
Jan.
7
Brady
Away
8
Valier
Home
13
Chester
Home
15
Heart Butte
Away
21
Big Sandy
Away
22
Sunburst
Away
28
Dutton
Away
29
Blue Sky
Home
Feb.
4
Brady
Home
5
Valier
Away
10
Chester
Away
12
Heart Butte
Home
18
Dutton
Home
19
Blue Sky
Away
