The Versailles boys basketball team averaged 63 points per game last season. But two players, Trey Woods and Michael Allen, accounted for 40 of that total.
With Woods and Allen graduated, the Tigers have had to find new sources of offense this season.
"It's kind of been done by committee," coach Kent Thomas said. "We're not putting that load on any one player. There's been several kids that have I think contributed offensively. I think in the long run that will be a strength for us."
Versailles has found some of that scoring so far, averaging 55.6 points a game. The search continues at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 when the Tigers face Hermann in the Capital City Shootout.
Woods earned all-state honors last season and is now playing at Southwest Baptist University, while Allen was an all-district player. Versailles finished the year with a 10-16 record.
This season, the Tigers currently sit at 2-4. They won their opener against Tipton before dropping two straight to Eugene and Owensville - the latter in the Eugene Invitational. Versailles rebounded with a defeat of St. Elizabeth, also at Eugene, before falling by two points to Calvary to finish the tournament. The Tigers lost Tuesday at Cole Camp.
Seniors Austin Cowe, Elijah Bentch and junior Hunter Edgar are returning starters for Versailles. Edgar averaged 6.6 points per game last season, with Bentch chipping in 5.2 and Crowe adding 2.2 of his own.
Shane Randall, also a starter, gives Versailles a boost after having previously played at Eldon.
"We expect some big things from him," Thomas said.
Tyler Zolecki brings his 6-foot-5 frame to the Versailles starting lineup, though this is his first season at the varsity level. Thomas said he expects Zolecki's size to pay continued dividends as the season goes along.
Hermann enters the game with a 3-3 record, posting wins against Northwest: Cedar Hill, Wright City and Silex. The Bearcats have lost to Linn, Montgomery County and Wellsville, and are averaging 44.8 points per game.