OTTUMWA — Bigger, bolder and better — that’s Ben Ryder.

An palpable passion to succeed — that’s Michael Wetrich.

Together they form the nucleus — united by class, driven to dominate.

A CIML Metro title is lined up in their crosshairs. That first shot will be fired tonight.

When the highly-touted Southeast Polk Rams enter the doors of Evans Middle School Friday evening, the ball will go up, then it will come down.

Hopefully the rim will be kind to the red and white.

Head coach Chris Gravett will bring his 2009-2010 OHS boys hoops squad out on to the floor tonight for the first time in a big CIML test.

Wetrich and Ryder headline Gravett’s squad and they’ll encounter a Rams team that will be one of the state’s best.

Polk destroyed Des Moines East 75-32 last Tuesday in its opener. Polk went 18-6 last season, while the Scarlets played to a dismal mark of 1-20. Polk is led by all-starter Kody Ingle.

Ryder, Ottumwa’s 6-8, 260-pound beast of a senior center, is where it starts for Ottumwa.

Ryder’s 10.6 scoring average and six rebounds a game average will have to be exceeded if Ottumwa looks to improve on last winter’s 11-11 mark. If that progression transpires, watch out, because the court opens up with countless scoring options and open looks soon to follow.

“Ben’s going to be a big key,” said Gravett, in his second season as OHS head coach.

There won’t be many players out on the court taller than “Big Ben” and he’ll have to take advantage. That opportunity centers on controlled, aggressive play.

“He’s really getting closer to the basket this year and getting more aggressive,” said Gravett.

Ryder can also knock down jumpers on a consistent basis, an added luxury in Gravett’s screen-and-cut, possession offense.

This is Ryder’s third year on the varsity level, the fourth for Wetrich, who started some games as a freshman.

Wetrich is one of the top points guards in the state and averaged right at 13 points a game last season — many teams exclusively designing their games plans to stop the 5-11 senior.

If Ryder’s the key, Wetrich’s the orchestrator.

He nailed 49 3’s his junior year — a 42 percent clip from beyond the arc. He averaged almost two steals per game and is the personification of unselfishness.

“He’s an unselfish, team guy. He wants to win more than anything,” said Gravett.

He’s also a winner. Don’t be fooled by his relatively small frame for a Class 4A standout. Wetrich checks in around 150 pounds.

“Michael might be small in stature, but his heart is big. He competes as hard as anybody we have. His instincts are uncanny,” said Gravett, who is a 1996 OHS alum.

The rest of Gravett’s starting lineup will feature another senior, a junior and a sophomore.

OHS senior Justin Rusch, who along with Ryder and Wetrich were major players for Zach Wigle’s football squad last winter, will get the start at power forward.

Rusch will be undersized at the No. 4 slot, as he stands 6-0, but he plays a lot bigger. He does a little bit of everything. Loose balls beware, as Rusch will find most of them. His rebounding, defense and slashing cuts to the basket are also major assets for the Bulldogs. Rusch averaged almost three points a game last year.

“Justin brings a lot of intangibles to the table,” said Gravett.

Gravett’s final two starters have no varsity experience.

Junior Zach Throckmorton will play the two-guard for Gravett. Throckmorton is one of the reasons Gravett states he has a few more shooters than in year’s past.

“Zach can really shoot the basketball. He really understands the game,” said Gravett. “I really like his game.”

Ben Kramer, a soph, is a slasher and was a big-time scorer on the JV level. He’ll start at small forward. He has the right bloodline, as he’s the grandson of longtime Ottumwa hoops coach Bill Kramer, who coached Ottumwa hoops from 1964-1977.

“I watched him as a ninth grader and he was scoring a lot of points. His defense is what really stood out for me,” said Gravett.

Gravett will go nine deep and seniors Adam Goodvin (guard), Blake Miller (power forward) and Aaron Keith (small forward) will see plenty of hardwood action.

A year in Gravett’s system, means a year better for Goodvin. Goodvin was Ottumwa’s starting quarterback the past two seasons and is a seasoned gamer.

“His shooting stroke is better this year. He has more confidence with himself. He’s a nice fit at shooting guard,” said the Ottumwa head coach.

Miller did not play much as a ninth grader did not go out his sophomore season, but starred in many games as a junior on the varsity level last year. Miller’s big body is complemented by his agility around the hoop.

“He’s getting better every day. He’ll get a lot of time on the floor,” said Gravett.

Keith is the role player every team needs. Like all his fellow seniors, he brings quality leadership out on to the floor, in addition to his talent.

“Keith plays with unbelievable heart and competitiveness – guys feed off that,” said Gravett.

Sophomore Erik Thorgaard is a dead-eye marksman and will help Ottumwa’s perimeter game immensely.

“Thorgaard is one of the best shooters in our system,” said Gravett. “He’s always been a scorer.”

Once Thorgaard’s defense matches his offensive productivity, he’ll be a very difficult matchup for any player.

“When he puts both ends together, he’s going to be a dynamite basketball player,” said Gravett.

Another boon to Gravett’s program is the addition of assistant Steven Wetrich, Ottumwa’s all-time leading scorer. Wetrich helped guide the Bulldogs to their last state tournament, where they made the final four in 2004. Wetrich played Div. I college ball at Denver and is Michael’s older brother.