Improving will take total team effort, Scioto boss says

By PAUL QUINN

Published: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 5:53 PM EST

Aggressive defensive play is expected to be the signature style for the Dublin Scioto boys varsity basketball team, according to head coach Tony Bisutti.

In order to improve upon last season's 8-13 (4-10 OCC Central) record, Bisutti wants an edgier team that competes hard for loose balls.

For us to win," he said, "we have to bring pressure, play physical and get at least half of all loose balls."

That edginess, along with a versatile lineup that is aggressive around the basket but can step out and shoot, is tough to defend.

"We're a system team," Bisutti said. "We rely on playing within our system. Our kids must understand our style of play. We're doing better every day. The abstract areas, such as hustling for loose balls, will make us a good team."

The Irish system is a balanced 10-player rotation with experienced players such as Ryan Duncan (6-0 senior wing), Dominic Madison (5-8 senior guard), Antonio Bisutti (6-0 junior guard), Josh Ashwill (6-0 junior guard), and Travis Yates (6-3 junior post).

Additional experience comes from Gabe McGlone (6-1 senior wing), Grant Anderson (6-4 junior post), Travis Wehder (6-4 junior post), Aaron Strausbaugh (5-10 junior wing) and Chase Sult (6-2 junior wing).

Bisutti looks first to Duncan for scoring.

"Ryan is a shooter who can drive," Bisutti said. "He possesses all the offensive tools one could want."

Madison was a transfer student who was new to organized basketball last year.

"Dominic is committed to improving," Bisutti said. "He's undersized but he's always working and growing."

Ashwill, who's older brother, Ben, was a solid player for the Irish, is also a scoring threat, having shot better than 40 percent last season from three-point range.

"Josh is a solid catch-and-shoot player," Bisutti said.

Last season, Ashwill shot approximately 80 percent from the free-throw line and better than 42 percent from the three-point line.

"Josh has a nose for the ball," Bisutti said. "He’s quick and has good instincts. He finds a way to win."

Yates, younger sibling to Irish alumnus Eric, "can get to the basket or step out and shoot the three," Bisutti said.

Another family legacy in the Irish program is that of Antonio Bisutti, son of Tony Bisutti.

"He's probably our best defender," Tony said of Antonio. "He shoots, passes, gets to the line and keeps it all together on the court."

Coach Bisutti has been pleased to have been able to coach his son at Scioto.

"It probably hasn't been fair for Antonio," Tony said. "But I've needed him and he has been able to handle it.

"He's probably felt more of my wrath than anyone else on the team. But, if he doesn't already have fond memories of the experience, he will one day."

Strausbaugh has grown dramatically on the court, Bisutti said.

"Aaron is physical and athletic," the coach said. "He plays baseball too and it shows. He hustles, quickly grasps our system and has a nice shooting touch."

Sult is dedicated to the basketball program, Bisutti said.

"Chase lives for basketball," Bisutti said. "He's always ready. He's the kind of guy you want on your team."

Anderson returns to the program after a season away.

"It's great to have Grant back with us," Bisutti said. "He's a skilled shooter. And we play favorites to guys who can stick the ball in the basket."

Bisutti expects to need every person on the team.

"In order to make it all go, we need each piece of our team," he said. "We just need to work hard and keep improving. We have some tough early games. But we'll play, get better, and continue developing as we go."

The Irish season tips off Dec. 3 at Worthington Kilbourne.

"We know what they'll do," Bisutti said. "It will be a tough game but it won't make or break our season. We'll have another 19 or so games to go."

"We're a system team. We rely on playing within our system. Our kids must understand our style of play."

--Tony Bisutti