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By RICK THORP
WOODSFIELD -- A new era has been ushered in at Monroe Central.
Jon Perkins, a former junior high and jayvee coach in the district, is the new head boys' basketball coach, replacing ''Scooter'' Tolzda, who left for Meadowbrook in the offseason.
And, yes, the Seminoles program will have a different look to it this winter. But while Perkins is a semi-new face to the program, he does bring with him a solid coaching acumen that he believes is a good fit with the players returning.
''It's been a good start,'' he said. ''We have a lot of kids that are willing to work and come to work hard every day.''
Perkins' basketball foundation was laid at St. Clairsville, where he played for Kim Clifford. He also coached under Tolzda at Monroe Central and, last year, served as assistant and junior varsity coach for the girls' program at Bellaire with John Farrier.
''John gave me the levity and latitude,'' Perkins said. ''The trust level we had was good. John did a good job of letting me prepare to be a head coach and I'm thankful for him for that.''
Upon his return to Monroe Central this fall, Perkins had an opportunity to work under another legendary mentor -- Jay Circosta. While it was football, Perkins said the skills learned were invaluable.
There were also many discussions had about the youngsters at Monroe Central, and how playing more than one sport is crucial to their development as athletes.
''We're going to go about seven guys deep, so we're going to have to be in shape,'' Perkins said.
The job wasn't officially Perkins' until late summer, just about as football starting up, in fact. So, he didn't really get a good look at his team until practices began, sans open gyms, etc.
And he's liked what he's seen so far.
''This have been good,'' he said. ''We have kids that are willing to work, and that's the positive thing.''
As different as the coaching staff will look, the varsity roster will take on a new look, too. The team's leading scorers from a year ago -- Cole Howell and Hunter Graham -- have graduated, leaving the Seminoles a junior-dominated group.
''We have 21 guys on the roster, varsity and jayvee combined,'' Perkins said, noting about 11 will dress varsity when the 'Noles open the season tonight at Bridgeport.
Trey Duffy is the team's lone senior. The 5-foot-10 returner scored 11.7 points per game last season.
''It helps to have a guy that's been out there before,'' Perkins said. ''Trey was a seventh-grader at Woodsfield when I had my first job. We kind of started out together.
''He's extremely intelligent and he's really a leader. He's stepped up at practice and encourages the guys. He's like a coach on the floor. He's invaluable in a lot of ways.''
Perkins said Duffy is a player that always knows where he needs to be.
''He'll create his own shots,'' Perkins said. ''He's all heart.''
Ryan LaFollette, a 6-0 junior, is another player Perkins is counting on to bring veteran leadership to the floor.
''He has the intangibles to be the best athlete on the floor,'' Perkins said. ''Not a lot of guys we practice against were able to stop him from penetrating. He puts the ball on the floor and gets to the rim really well.''
Logan Pletcher (5-10), another junior, is a good shooter and good off the dribble, according to Perkins.
''He's going to be a good addition for us,'' he said.
Another junior who came out for the team this season is Robert Bigler (5-9).
''Heck of an athlete,'' Perkins said. ''He can be a good defender. He's a good guy to get on the floor and get to the rim.''
Jeremy Milhoan is a 5-11 junior.
''Very intelligent small forward,'' Perkins said. ''He's a very intellectual player and he'll do his best for you.''
Justin Erb (6-1) and Dalton Dick (5-10) are two more juniors whom Perkins expects to contribute.
''He brings more defense than anything,'' Perkins said of Dick. ''As for Jeremy, he can light it up from 2-point land. He can make three, four, five shots in a row if he gets his feet set.''
Sophomores Zac Jones (6-3) and Jason Reich (5-11) will also be pushing for playing time.
Perkins said he's stressing defense to his team in the preseason.
''We've been cutting up our practices more and structuring things on the defensive end,'' Perkins said.
During his days with Clifford, Perkins remembers him stressing to all of his players to focus on their roles. Perkins is taking that same approach as a head coach.
''We're looking to mirror that in a lot of ways,'' he said. ''We think the chemistry is good. We also think our scrimmages will test us.
''We're working hard and we have to control what we can control,'' Perkins said. ''I want these guys to be successful because when you have a good group you want them to be rewarded for their hard work.''
Perkins is assisted by Jared Highman and John Ischy.