CHERRY TWP - Make no mistake about it. This is Tyler Grossman's team.

The 6-foot-2 junior guard is the only returning starter on Moniteau's boys varsity basketball squad this season. He is also one of the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference's best players.

"No doubt, there are times when Tyler will have to carry us," Warriors coach Randy Armagost said. "We'll clear out, set screens for him and just say, 'OK, Tyler, it's your game. Let's go.'

"The kids understand that and so does he."

Grossman averaged 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and five assists per game last year. He also sank 57 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts - 49 of 84.

"He's the type of player who can take over a game," Armagost said. "Not many players in our league can do that.

"We know we're gonna see a lot of box-and-ones defensively. Teams started doing that to us last year and he was only a sophomore."

Tyler Hempfling, Ryan Rumbaugh, Scott Weist and Ross Brown all graduated from last year's 15-10 team. Other players have left the program.

Hempfling averaged 13 points and 9.8 rebounds per game a year ago and Rumbaugh netted 10 points per game. Both are playing at Butler County Community College this season.

Grossman will begin this season at point guard while Armagost breaks in senior Greg Madru and junior Garth Kohlmeyer at that position.

"Neither has ever played the point before, so we're going to bring them along slowly," Armagost said.

"I'll do whatever I need to do to help the team win," Grossman said. "If that means scoring points or dishing the ball off, it doesn't matter."

The Warriors do have size and strength in the post with 6-3 junior Mat Schandelmeier and 6-3 sophomore Matt Buczkowski.Another post player, 6-8 junior Berry Jones, will see plenty of action. Jones did not play basketball last year."Schandelmeier and Buczkowski averaged five rebounds per game each last year in limited action," Armagost said. "Rebounding and defense will definitely be a strength of ours."Armagost said his bench should run eight or nine players deep. Adam Cousins, a sophomore guard, will be the Warriors' sixth man.Junior forwards Zach Thompson and David Rumbaugh will see action as well. Like Jones, Thompson did not play last year."There's not a lot of difference between our starters and bench," Armagost said. "We have some talent, we're just so inexperienced."Thompson and Jones are newcomers who have brought a lot of energy to us and provided a spark. We'll be looking for some scoring production from Kohlmeyer."Moniteau has not won the KSAC since 1976. The league has expanded to 13 teams this season. Only 12 of 16 league games - one game against KSAC foe - will count in the conference standings."We're going to be a physical team and we've talked about how we have to recognize what the officials are going to call in a given game," Armagost said. "If we rebound and play defense well, we have a shot at winning the league.""I think we have a chance," Grossman agreed. "We need to work hard on defense. That will be the key."

2004-05 Boys ScheduleDec. 3-4-at Ford City Tournament; Dec. 8-at Keystone, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 10-CRANBERRY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 15-KARNS CITY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 17-at Rocky Grove, 6 p.m.; Dec. 21-UNION, 6 p.m.; Dec. 23-at Clarion, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 27-at Quigley CatholicJan. 4-NORTH CLARION, 6 p.m.; Jan. 5-at West Shamokin, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 7-at Venango Christian, 6 p.m.; Jan. 10-at Portersville Christian, 7 p.m.; Jan. 12-REDBANK VALLEY, 6 p.m.; Jan. 14-CLARION-LIMESTONE, 6 p.m.; Jan. 18-at West Forest, 6 p.m.; Jan. 21-at A-C Valley, 6 p.m.; Jan. 24-at Union, 6 p.m.; Jan. 26-EAST FOREST, 6 p.m.; Jan. 28-KEYSTONE, 6 p.m.Feb. 4-at Karns City, 6 p.m.; Feb. 11-at Cranberry, 6 p.m.