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As a junior starter on the only winless team in school history back in an 0-22 1977-78 season, Baughman worked through the tough times.
"I think the biggest thing was the frustration on all of the kids' parts," remembered Baughman, who enters his eighth year as a coach at his alma mater. "No matter how hard you practice in the offseason, if you don't have other kids working with you, it can be a very frustrating season."
Taking a cue from his former head coach, Vern Schreckengost, Baughman will try to move in a positive direction following last year's 3-18 season, the worst since that winless season 32 years ago.
"Vern, even though we struggled, was positive throughout both seasons I had him," Baughman said. "My senior year (7-15 record), we lost only two games out of the District 9 League. We just had more kids who got varsity experience."
Two years from there, the Raiders continued the climb and won the District 9 Class AA title with head coach Dan Murdock.
So with only two players lost to graduation, Baughman has plenty of players who have gotten lots of varsity experience the past few years. Using the theme of "can't go anywhere but up," Baughman is wide open going into the season.
An end to a team-record seven straight losing seasons?
"No expectations," he said. "It's going to shake out how it's going to shake out. The kids have been working hard in practice. I honestly think everybody is starting to buy in on what their roles are and what the ultimate goal is."
Baughman wasn't even thinking of trying to list a probable varsity playing rotation even after two scrimmages. He plans to dress 13 for varsity - three seniors, eight juniors and two sophomores.
"A lot of the kids did gain experience, but unfortunately, a lot was negative," Baughman said. "They were usually outsized and not physically ready to compete. Some have matured. We're just going to have to see where we're at. We're not a finished product by any means. It's going to take time."
Seven players got significant varsity minutes a year ago, including the team's top scorer and rebounder in 6-foot-2 senior Chad Brocious (13.2 ppg., 7.5 rpg.). He'll play anywhere from small forward to center.
"He can be very productive, whether it's offensively in assists, rebounds or scoring," Baughman said. "This year, moreso than last year, he's taken a more active role in leadership and that's going to be a big help."
Junior forwared Jared Heschke, at 6-foot 4, was second in scoring and rebounding (8.7 ppg., 4.8 rpg.) while shooting a team-best 52.1 percent from the field.
He and Brocious form a sizable front line that Baughman could use. Senior Taylor Heinrich (4.7 ppg., 3.4 rpg.) stands at 6-foot-3 and promising sophomore Zane Hackett is 6-foot-6.
"We are probably bigger than we've been in awhile, but just because you're big doesn't mean you can rebound," Baughman said. "It does make it a nice option with more bigger bodies. They're all good athletes."
Junior Adam Dennison saw limited varsity action a year ago and will see time at small and power forward.
Returning with varsity experience at the guard spots are juniors Dan Ion (4.9 ppg., 16 3-pointers), Kyle Baughman (3.1 ppg., 15 3-pointers), Ryan Zimmerman (3.0 ppg., 13 3-pointers) and Chase Lyle (2.1 ppg., 7 3-pointers), who will also slide to small forward at times.
Junior Tashan Mark saw limited varsity time while fellow juniors Pat Vroman and Christian Gerg, and sophomore Seth Connor adds to the guard depth.
Turnovers, naturally for any team with 18 losses, were a big problem last year. Zimmerman, who's probably the leading player at the point and Vroman along with some help from Baughman, Gerg and Ion could see time leading the offense.
"Turnovers is a huge area of concern," Baughman said. "We've been stressing that in practice, taking care of the basketball and making every possession count. If there's consistency in turnovers, somebody is coming out. There are 13 kids and I'll try to find the right combination."
Baughman may have more options than the last handful of seasons. The sophomore class is coming off a good freshman year and adds to what could be some competitive practices.
"In order to get better, you have to have competition," Baughman said. "We have that. We haven't had that in practice for several years and you're not going to grow as a team if you don't have it."
This weekend's tip-off tournament at home begins, what Baughman hopes, is a positive season that's not necessarily hanging on a win-loss record.
"We have invigorated the program with new blood," he said. "The potential is there to turn the corner a little bit anyway. I just think the kids all know me. We've been in several battles together and know what I'm thinking or getting a better idea."
The coaching staff from elementary to varsity has been shaken up a bit, with Kevin Wolfe moving up to the junior varsity coaching spot from junior high and the addition of Dick Fenstermaker, Dan Cable and Tim McAninch as assistants.
This year's junior high staff includes Jake Lewis and Garrett Spence. Dalton Park is heading up the elementary program.
"My biggest expectation is to try to make it fun for the kids and more enjoyable," Baughman said. "It's going to be a positive year. It might now translate into victories, but it'll be positive if they enjoy it. Then they'll want to spend more time at it and we'll get better because of that."
The Raiders open Friday with defending tournament champion Union followed by another game on Saturday. The schedule stays busy next week with a trip to Moniteau Monday, Philipsburg-Osceola next Friday and Karns City next Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to getting the season started and hopefully being able to enjoy it and not getting so wrapped up in it that I can't enjoy myself," Baughman finished.
ROSTER
Seniors: Chad Brocious, Chase Lyle, Taylor Heinrich. Juniors: Kyle Baughman, Danny Ion, Adam Dennison, Tashan Mark, Ryan Zimmerman, Jared Heschke, Pat Vroman, Christian Gerg. Sophomores: Zane Hackett, Seth Connor, Austin Burney, Pat Brush, Tighe Truman, Sebastian Kerr, Dakota Singleton, Tyler Galbraith, Jordan Young, Levi Park.
