CHRISTOPHER (WSIL) -- The Christopher Bearcats boys basketball team is 4-0.
They graduated some key seniors from a team that advanced to the regional semifinals last season.
But the cupboard is far from bear.
They've got size.
They've got shooters.
Let's go beyond the highlights with the Christopher Bearcats
"We've got a lot of the pieces you need to be successful," Christopher Boys Basketball Head Coach Eric Stallman said.
"You just have to make the most of the games you have and we have twelve games on our schedule and hopefully we can keep the success going."
"Our main goal is to just win the rest of the games this year, win the trophy for the conference," Christopher senior Anthony Rolla said.
"We've got good shooters on this team, we shoot well from the three. We're confident with our shots," Christopher senior Kye Garver said.
While you have to respect their shooters, the Bearcats have size near the basket. It starts with six-foot-five inch, 340 pound junior center Peyton Mazur. Coach Stallman believes Mazur will play college football somewhere and Mazur is hard to miss between his size and spectacular mullet.
"The hair started about last year. Kind of a joke at first for football season and it kind of just stuck," Mazur said.
This season the Bearcats have learned how to take advantage of the inside outside game and so far it has given opponents fits.
"We've got Peyton and Mason inside," Garver said. "They are big, easy to get to, scoring a lot down there. They are starting to double team down there, kicking it outside, getting some outside shots. Me, Rolla, Sveda, someone is going to be open."
"If you can start from the inside and work your way out, you've got a chance to get some open shots," Stallman said. "Peyton is going to draw some double teams and having that happen we can get shooters around him and hopefully get some good looks."
"It almost feels natural when we get that inside, outside look," Mazur said. "I just think it's the size that creates that. Even with the other big, Mason Goins, it's the same way with him. He can get in the post and kick it to the guys outside shooting."
"Just wrecking balls in there," Christopher junior Mason Goins said. "He's definitely a big guy and fun to play with."
Christopher's size came in handy in a win over Sesser Valier. Goins was able to hit a last second shot to help his team pull out the win.
"Definitely exciting. Coach Stallman and the staff and my teammates had great execution, drawing up the right plays, setting up the picks, people going where they are supposed to go. It was definitely a well drawn up play and I had the easiest shot possible which is a layup so I had to make it."
With victories over Goreville and Sesser-Valier, Christopher understands from here on out, everyone is gunning for them, and they are ok with that.
It boosts our confidence definitely and people are out to get us always. It's going to be hard beating them twice, both teams are real good.
We've got a target on our back and we can't overlook anybody
Gives us more motivation to win conference and finish out the year undefeated, so it's a biog goal of ours.
