By Corbin Hosler, Multimedia Edtior
Senior Center Dee Proby gets open near the goal to shoot the ball during the Stars' Homecoming game in the Abe Lemons Arena. He had a total of 20 points against Ozark Christian (Mo.) The Stars won 101 to 59.
Senior Forward Dee Proby stared down at his opponent before the game’s opening tip. Ten inches down. When the referee tossed the ball into the air, Proby’s counterpart from Ozark Christian didn’t even bother jumping, knowing he couldn’t jump high enough to make up the difference.
Proby easily tipped the ball ahead to his teammates, and 20 seconds later Junior Guard Johnny Stephene put the Stars ahead, 3-0. And, with that, the rout was on in front of a bevy of Homecoming banners and hundreds of raucous fans.
The Stars’ defense smothered the Ozark Christian offense, forcing 29 turnovers and visibly frustrating the Ambassadors.
The Stars were already up 34 points by the time Freshman Forward Kaleb Smith put an exclamation point on the game, flying through the lane to grab a rebound and bring the crowd to its feet with a resounding dunk.
Coach Kevin Morrissey said the victory was a great way to start the season.
“It’s so important to have a good home-court advantage,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere out here today.”
Morrissey praised the crowd, which cheered and chanted throughout the game.
“As fun as this game was for the crowd, it was just as fun for us,” he said. “We wish we could have this every game.”
Proby led the Stars with 20 points and seven rebounds. He missed only one shot from the field, seemingly scoring at will on an undersized Ambassador defense.
“We came out today and played team ball and work on our defense,” he said. “A win like this boosts our confidence going forward.”
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