UNION TWP. | With his top four scorers returning to a talented Wheeler basketball team, Bearcats coach Mike Jones didn't necessarily need any more reinforcements this season.

That doesn't mean Jones wasn't happy when 6-foot-8 Serbian forward Aleksa Kojcinovic showed up to school on Monday.

Kojcinovic has worked out with the team during open gym sessions several times, and Jones has seen enough to know that the newcomer has talent.

"He has some ability. He can shoot the ball and now we'll just be trying to fit him in over the next couple months before practice starts in November," Jones said. "He has to get acclimated to the whole environment socially and academically, and then athletically."

Kojcinovic has meshed well with his new teammates, including fellow Serbian Petar Todorovic.

"They were speaking to each other, but I didn't know what they were saying," Jones joked. "He's really just been here a few days, but he does have potential. The thing for him is that he just needs to be a piece of the puzzle. He doesn't have to worry about being the focal point."

The Bearcats went 21-4 and return an experienced group, including seniors Todorovic, Andrew Rudakas and Donnie Ketchum along with Najee Bailey.

"I think it caught everybody off guard that he showed up here," Jones said. "It's only been a few days, but we've all been pretty impressed with some of the things that he has brought to the table."

BOYS BASKETBALL