Eldon Tournament: Team breakdowns

Here's what to expect at the 81st annual Eldon Invitational Tournament this weekend.

Eldon Mustangs
The 12-3 Mustangs win games with their physical style and with high-pressure defense. Jim Lincoln wants his players to get out and guard the opposition, especially when playing against Lincoln's former team.

Eldon lost in the semifinals of its own tournament to eventual champ Vianney last year. The Golden Griffons aren't coming back for the 81st Eldon Tournament, so the hometown team welcomes Smith-Cotton.

Part of the fun in watching Eldon is that any player can be the leading scorer in any given game. The depth chart goes two-deep at every position. Ryan Kliethermes, John Hall and Sam Lincoln will try to lead Eldon to its first title in the hometown tourney since 2008.

Smith-Cotton Tigers
Third-year coach Kevin Schnicker and the Tigers hope to pull off an upset of the hometown favorites in the opening round.  The team had its first winning season in more than a decade in 2010-2011, and stands 6-8 on the year. Smith-Cotton comes off a loss to Warrensburg in a rivalry that has been one-sided as of late.

The last time Smith-Cotton beat Warrensburg on the road occurred when Jim Lincoln—now head coach at Eldon—ran the team. The history of Smith-Cotton and Lincoln adds certain intrigue to the game.

Versailles Tigers
The historic Eldon Invitational Tournament offers the up-and-coming Versailles youngsters a chance to earn valuable experience playing before big crowds. The Tigers are young, three of their top four scorers are freshmen or sophomores.

The opening-round game with Carl Junction presents an interesting opportunity for 6-5 big fella Kyle Meyer, the overall leading scorer on Versailles. Meyer will have a big height and reach advantage inside, so if the Tigers can slow Carl Junction's pace enough to pound the ball inside, Meyer could have a big game.

Carl Junction Bulldogs
The 7-9 Bulldogs will aim to beat Versailles with speed and pressure defense. Junior guard Travis Vogt scores 18 points and hauls down 5 rebounds per game. Carl Junction hangs its hat on defense. The Bulldogs pull down 17.4 rebounds per game on average and make 10.3 steals in every game.

Eugene Eagles
Eugene's proud tradition of basketball lives on in Craig Engelbrecht's 22nd year as the varsity boys' basketball coach at his alma mater. The Eagles are 12-3 and led by a two-headed scoring monster of sophomore guard Cody Shaw and senior center Kade Frey.

"We like to be up-tempo," Engelbrecht said. "The kids just love playing in front of people. (The Eldon Tournament) is an event. It's what people look forward to."

Beyond being a close rival and a longtime entrant in the Eldon Invitational, the Eugene team has some special connections to the field. Engelbrecht did his student teaching tour of duty at Eldon High School under hall of fame coach Jim Byland, who now serves as a volunteer assistant with the Camdenton Lakers.

At Eldon, he was the student P.E. teacher while Marquette coach Shane Matzen was an Eldon student.

Marquette Mustangs
Marquette coach Shane Matzen immediately jumped at the chance when afforded the chance to bring his team to the 80th Annual Eldon Invitational Tournament in 2011. The ex-Mustang who earned all-Tri-County Conference honors twice in his high school career brings his Mustangs back to his hometown for the 81st incarnation of the tournament. He says his players don't often get the chance to play in a basketball event with such history involved.

"You know there is just generations of families in the stands. That's a great experience for us," Matzen said.

Ryan Rosburg, a 6-foot-10 center, headlines a Marquette team grappling to find a breakout game to gain momentum for the stretch run. Rosburg is committed to play for the University of Missouri next year, but has been slowed by an ankle he injured in the Camdenton Shootout at the Lake.

Osage Indians
Osage has a reputation for its speed and quickness thanks to its success in the fall of 2011 in football.

Senior guards Dylan McNerney and Jared Edwards made names for themselves around the state, and their recognition carried to the hardwood. McNerney will be one of the top scorers in the tournament, as he averages 15 points per game.

Senior Mack Murray might be the best player that opponents haven't heard of. Murray shoots 50 percent from 3-point territory and has a knack for good rebounding position. Osage is 4-9 and on a four-game losing streak.

Savannah Savages
The 9-7 Savages have only scored more than 50 points once this season. Don't let the low scores goad you into thinking this team can't be explosive when it needs to be. Savannah coach Nick Kemerling likes a cold and calculated strategy based on offensive ball control.

The Savages will keep possession for long stretches before a shot goes up, creating low-scoring games. They are good enough at possessing the basketball that they routinely disarm the opposing game plan and force opponents to play Savannah's style.

Eldon Tournament
Thursday, Jan. 26
Osage vs. Savannah, 4:30 p.m.
Eugene vs. Marquette, 6 p.m.
Eldon vs. Smith-Cotton, 7:30 p.m.
Versailles vs. Carl Junction, 9 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 27
Eugene/Marquette loser vs. Osage/Savannah loser, 4:30 p.m.
Eldon/Smith-Cotton loser vs. Versailles/Carl Junction loser, 6 p.m.
Eldon/Smith-Cotton winner vs. Versailles/Carl Junction winner, 7:30 p.m.
Eugene/Marquette winner vs. Osage/Savannah winner, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28
Seventh place game, 2 p.m.
Fifth place game, 3:30 p.m.
Third place game, 5 p.m.
Title game, 6:30 p.m.