By Amanda Perkins
The Dixon Bulldogs started last season strong, going on a 6-0 run before two of their seniors were benched. The team lost the next five games, and when the seniors returned, the Bulldogs won six more to end in district play 12-12. With the loss of six seniors to graduation, Dixon will be forced to regroup once again.
The graduates include Weston Shelton, Tyrell Cirrincione, Bailey Solan, Gerard Wijngaarden, Andrew Meier, and Dakota Fierce, four of them starters. Shelton was the team’s leading scorer with 18.1 per game, and Meier averaged 11 ppg. “We lost a lot of help and experience,” said coach Scott Ballard.
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Marquis Gantt is the lone returning starter from last season. The senior is a flex-four and inside/outside player who averaged 9 points and also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He is a four-year letterman who should hit the 500-point mark early in the season. The Bulldogs’ sixth man, Gavin Barnhart, now will start at the two slot. Gavin and Marquis will bring the most experience to the table.
Khale Hoard and Anthony Baker are each seniors who will fill the three or four spots. Trey Holvier is a freshman guard who is likely to see a lot of playing time as well.
“We will run up and down the floor fast and press a lot,” said Ballard. “We like to push the ball and run the fast break; we like to hustle. You have to play fast to play with teams right now.” Ballard said that upon losing his most efficient scorers, this team will likely be more of a defending group.
Ballard said his team has set a goal to win 15 games this season. “We are young, so it could be difficult, but if we play our best, we could be really good,” he said. “We must give our very best effort.”
