Jonathan Pixley is no stranger to success. A Catholic High alumnus, Pixley went on to NCAA stardom at Samford University, where he was an all-conference selection three years in a row and scored over 1,800 points.

In nine seasons as head coach, Pixley has transformed a Dunham High School basketball program that struggled early in the decade into a budding contender among the 2A ranks. Last year's squad beat every team they faced and only suffered losses to one team: district rival Episcopal, who battled the Tigers in five incredible games and eventually eliminated them in a competitive quarterfinal.

Despite losing a couple of key players, the Tigers return talent and experience in the starting five and boast a couple of promising youngsters off the bench. If Dunham hopes to build on the successes of a year ago, which produced a 33-4 record and one of the school's most outstanding seasons, they will need to outweigh a few shortcomings on the inside with solid perimeter play.

Shoes to Fill

Dunham's first work of order in 2009-10 will be to replace the loss of two key starters: Brandon Denley and Wally Jenkins. Denley led the Tigers in scoring a year ago, garnering All-District, All-Metro, and All-State honors as the primary scoring option. Denley was a combo guard-forward with range on his jumper and power inside, and Dunham will struggle to find similar versatility.

Jenkins was a steady senior leader with a threatening three-point shot. He was able to stretch defenses with his jumper and create space inside for Denley and Caine to operate, and he provided Pixley with a defensive-minded leader on the floor.

Who's on the floor?

The Tigers return a balanced scoring attack, despite the losses of Denley and Jenkins. Seniors Kyle Planchard and Dantrail Butler will lead the Tigers from the perimeter, heading up an offensive attack that features the return of three double-figure scorers. Planchard has been a staple in the Dunham lineup since his sophomore season, and last year he scored 12 points and dished out 5 assists a night, all the while being named Defensive MVP of 7-2A. Pixley will count on Planchard, who averaged 3 steals a game as a junior, as his lock-down perimeter defender, while still asking him to make big shots and distribute the ball around the offense.

Butler stepped into the Dunham squad last year as a junior and made an immediate impact, scoring 14 points and handing out 5 assists per game. His quickness and outside shot make him a dangerous scoring threat, and his strength and ball handling allow Pixley to interchange him and Planchard at the 1 and 2 guard spots. The versatility at the guard position allows Dunham the freedom to run their motion offense and helps alleviate pressure on both Planchard and Butler.

Pixley will count another pair of returning seniors to manage the Tigers' inside attack on both ends of the floor. Forward Tre Celestine will be called on to make up for a lack of height in the Dunham lineup by providing athleticism and versatility as an inside-out forward. Celestine, only 6 feet tall, has a knack for rebounding, hauling in 7 boards a game last season. Dunham has little depth inside, so Celestine's rebounding prowess will be key to the Tiger defense.

Joining Celestine inside is Jasper Caine, the sole provider of height and length inside for the Tigers. Caine is a 6'3 post player with a nose for the boards and a developing array of offensive weapons. Caine put up 12 points a game last season, a number that will have to increase to push Dunham beyond last year's quarterfinalist finish. Caine, who also brought in 8 boards and blocked 2 shots per game, will be crucial on both ends of the Dunham attack.

Reserves

Senior Hunter Kinchen will lead the Dunham bench. Kinchen, a 6'0 guard/forward, can provide Dunham with much-needed rebounding and athleticism in the post, which lacks depth.

Kinchen could find himself rotating as a fifth starter with sophomores Jonathan Honore and Jordan Lange. Honore is a guard with a solid shot and good ball-handling skills, while Lange is a forward who rebounds and finishes well inside. Sophomores Zack Padgett, Justin Caballero, and Austin Safford could all be called on to provide minutes for the Tigers.

Strengths

Perimeter attack and experience. Planchard and Butler are a solid guard combo who can score and defend with the best in 2A. Caine is one of the most promising forwards in the Baton Rouge area, and the three together with Celestine bring back a ton of valuable experience from last year's team.

Weaknesses

Depth. While the first four or five for Dunham are reliable, the rest of the squad is mostly filled out by a green batch of untested sophomores. Pixley's young guys will have to grow up fast to make a run in 2A.

X-Factor

Jasper Caine. Caine was great at times for Dunham last year, but other times he faded quickly. With little help inside, Caine will have to play more actively and consistently while staying out of foul trouble. If he can provide a consistent double-double threat, Dunham becomes a viable contender to make the Top 28 in March.

Outlook

Look for Dunham to improve on last season's stellar effort. Pixley is one of the top coaches in the state, and I look for him to find a way to get Dunham into the Top 28. With nationally-ranked Riverside in their way, a state title may be a reach, but anything can happen at the Cajundome in March.