Three returning starters give coach optimism despite team's losses

12:53 AM CST on Tuesday, November 16, 2004
By C. ANTHONY MOSSER / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

PLANO – Plano's boys basketball team will rely heavily on a touted junior class as it looks to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

The Wildcats graduated their top two scorers in Ryan Zea and Abdullah "Bull" Lawal from the team that went 20-9 last season, but coach Tom Inman believes the Wildcats have enough talent to remain a district playoff contender.

Much of his optimism stems from Plano's solid junior class, which includes returning point guard Brandon Ware, 6-8 center Eric Zastoupil and 6-6 wing Joseph Fulce as well as incoming 6-4 forward Lawrence Mann.

Ware and Zastoupil started last year, and Fulce, the Wildcats' sixth man a year ago, finished as Plano's third-leading scorer. Fulce's size and versatility have already caught the attention of Division I college recruiters.

"We've got a lot of players who are 6-4 and above and run well," Inman said. "We like pushing the ball, but I feel like we'll be able to set up in a half-court offense, too."

Last year, Fulce demonstrated the ability to score from inside or outside. He'll be expected to pick up his scoring, but Inman doesn't think he'll need to carry the brunt of the offense.

"Joseph's a very unselfish player," Inman said. "I don't think it will be a situation where he's our leading scorer every night. We should have a very balanced offense. Eric has improved his game, and I think you'll see Brandon Ware score more this year."

While the four juniors will play important roles, so will several seniors. Mark Foster, who played sparingly on the varsity last year, will probably start at the wing opposite Fulce. Foster is regarded as the team's top outside shooter. Travis Vance, a 6-4 forward, was the leading scorer on Plano's junior varsity last year and appears more than ready to step up to the varsity. Vance will be counted on for some inside scoring and rebounding. Also up from the junior varsity is 6-0 Ryan Manack, who can play either guard spot. Manack is a tenacious defender, whose rebounding ability belies his height. Landon Skinner, a 6-1 sophomore, could also work his way into the mix at the wing or point guard positions.

Inman believes Plano East is the team to beat in the district, and lists another 20-win season and playoff berth as his team's goals.

"We want to play up-tempo, but at the same time we want to hold opponents to under 50 points [per game]," Inman said. "We've got great chemistry on this team. These kids have spent a lot of time together."