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Men's Basketball Outlook

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Armed with the top seed and momentum heading into the Region XVI title game against Penn Valley, the Magic came up on the short end of a 79-72 loss, finishing with a 23-9 mark. A strong year saw forward Rodney Ford (Affton) win All-American honors. Ford was also named to the first team All-Region XVI and All-Conference (MCCAC) squads. Also on both first teams was 6 feet 5 inch freshman center Dallis Johnson (Lafayette). Earning All-Conference Honorable Mention nods were sophomores Eddie White (Parkway West) and Drew Moore (Northwest).

If the Magic could pull a rabbit out of their hat (23-9 record) a year ago with little returning experience, it could be a banner year with much returning talent back in the fold. One of the keys will be big man Dallis Johnson (Lafayette). Johnson averaged 11 ½ points and just over six rebounds per game. Johnson can control the paint with his 230 pound frame and finish when he gets the ball inside. Reserves who return battle tested thanks to an abundance of game minutes include  6 feet 4 inch John Alexander (Oakville) who delivered just over six points and boards per game and 6 feet 7 inch John Topliffe (Columbia, IL).

At the guard position, Danny Ortiz (Fort Zumwalt South) is back as a steady ball handler. He chipped in nearly five points a game as a spot starter/reserve.

Returning after a redshirt year off is forward Josh Dale (Affton), a lanky, talented 6 feet 4 inch proven scorer.

New players include 6 feet 2 inch guard Dylan Briscoe (Francis Howell Central) who averaged 11 points while also sinking 61 three pointers. Another guard from the Howell District, Josh Kane, also 6 feet 2 inches, enters via Howell North. Kane averaged over 13 points a game for the Knights and was their assists leader with 82.               

Another guard who knows the taste of victory is 6 foot tall Eric Kimminau from Borgia High. Kimminau led the Knights to the state championship in March at Mizzou Arena. He averaged 8 ½ points while draining 65 three pointers.
Guard Dietrick Sooter enters via Pierce City, MO where he set a pair of state high school records his senior year with 10 three pointers in one half, and 16 total in the same game.

Keith Davis, Jr. joins the Magic from basketball-rich Hazelwood Central. Davis is a 6 feet 5 inch 220 pound forward who averaged just over four points and rebounds as a reserve for the Hawks. Also in the fold is Alen Hadzimahovic, a 6 feet 6 inch forward from Fox High who averaged a double-double for the Warriors: 20 points and 10 rebounds a game.
The Magic have the talent and the coaching in local legend Randy Albrecht to get the job done and return to the national tournament.