It's Hooping Season
David Andrews
David Andrews
Now that last season is behind us and our players have another year under their belts as varsity athletes, the expectations for this year’s basketball team is nothing short of amazing.
Last year we saw Coach Ed Morris lead his boys to Hillgrove’s eleventh straight playoff appearance. We saw Coach Susan Milam lead her girls to the elite eight while reaching a hundred wins as a head coach. We saw five of Hillgrove’s very own students get recognized as some of the best players in the region, including seniors Jaiden Julian, Michelle Smith, and Orry Clements-Owens, to go along with the rest of the team’s many talented players, such as Chris Richardson and Breah McGrady. With this much talent on one team it is obvious that this year is destined to be one to remember. Not only do they believe that they can improve on what was a great season for both of them last year, but they also believe that they can give the region champ and long time rival, McEachern Indians, a run for their money. With pivotal pieces to both teams making their departure like Dustin Ladson and the girls’ entire starting lineup, we may have some work to do to reach McEachern’s level, but the one thing that both coaches try do instill in their players, from day one, is hard work so it is almost guaranteed that we will get there no matter what.
Although losing many of her rotation players from last year like Kierra York and Laren VanArsdale, Coach Milam has faith that her younger players will pick up the slack. One of the biggest problems for both teams is their size and their lack of post play. For a matter of fact, the amount of guards on each team and the depth at that position, is insane, and it really put our coaches in a tough spot, especially when it comes to making cuts and putting the team together. On the other hand, it can prove to be a good problem because, for years, Hillgrove has been known to have this underdog mentality and the height problem would only add to that. Also, the amount of competition that stems from having so many players fighting for the same position, it can really prove to help them grow as athletes more than any practice or any game could. Players, like Orry and Jaiden or Michelle and Breah, pushing one another to be the best versions of themselves can only prove to make the team better in the long run.
After being region runner-ups last year, the girls are just itching to be the first team to win region this year. Coach Milam even said that that was the main thing she was looking forward to this year with her new squad, and seniors Desirae Webster, Michelle Smith, and Camryn Johnson expect nothing but that from this year’s upcoming season. The girls even managed to take things up a notch with Desirae saying that “we’re going past the elite eight this year” and Michelle following it up and saying “we’re going to state,” showing just how much confidence they have in their team and even in themselves. After all, when you are climbing a mountain the only way to go is up, and, as of right now, that region championship is sitting right at the top looking down at them, and they are ready for the challenge.
Not only are the girls eager to start the new season, but the boys this year feel like they have something to prove and they are ready, more than ever, to show the rest of the region what they can do. Junior James Brock said that the one thing he is looking forward to most is the amount of competition, not just within the region, but within the very own locker room, and that “it will be exciting to see how things play out.” Senior Lance Wise said that he is looking forward to playing because of the chemistry he has built with this team, having the most varsity experience on the team, and that he is excited to actually see how good they perform on the court, because of their knowledge of each others’ game.
Coach Morris often preaches about how important it is to have good chemistry with your teammates because, for those 4 months of basketball, you will probably be spending more time with them than anyone else, even your own family. More often than not, good chemistry is what determines your team’s success. Bad chemistry is what tore legends like Shaq and Kobe apart. Bad chemistry is what destroys a team. Bad chemistry is what sets the good teams apart from the great ones, and when it is crunch time it shows. Last year the girls won some close games because of them working as a team, while the boys found themselves falling short in some because of what was a “lack of togetherness,” said Lance, and some bad decision making on their part, but this year it will be different. No, this year will be great because here at Hillgrove we don’t settle for just being good we want to be great and with coaches like Coach Milam and Coach Morris leading the way that’s exactly what we’ll be.
As I said earlier, this year will be a year to remember for both teams because of one thing, their teamwork. Lance said that his main goal for this season, besides getting his three-point percentage up, was to get more people involved. After all, moving the ball is one of the key components to both our teams’ offenses and, in order to succeed, we will need to excel at it. So expect a lot of alley-oops between him and Jaiden this year because, like Jaiden said, “the ball moves fastest when it’s in the air.”
This year teamwork and togetherness is what defines these teams, because, for the most part, these guys and girls grew up playing together and they have been through it all with one another. The chemistry is strong in these two teams and it will only get better as the season goes on and as the wins start coming, but what good is winning if you don’t have anyone there to cheer you on? Come out and support your Hillgrove Hawks in what should be an amazing season, rather than just hearing about it on the announcements wishing you were there to see it. These boys and girls put themselves on the line for this team, and, as fans, we are a part of this team and it is our job to see them through all the ups and downs because hooping season is finally upon us ladies and gentlemen so let’s make the most of it.
Last year we saw Coach Ed Morris lead his boys to Hillgrove’s eleventh straight playoff appearance. We saw Coach Susan Milam lead her girls to the elite eight while reaching a hundred wins as a head coach. We saw five of Hillgrove’s very own students get recognized as some of the best players in the region, including seniors Jaiden Julian, Michelle Smith, and Orry Clements-Owens, to go along with the rest of the team’s many talented players, such as Chris Richardson and Breah McGrady. With this much talent on one team it is obvious that this year is destined to be one to remember. Not only do they believe that they can improve on what was a great season for both of them last year, but they also believe that they can give the region champ and long time rival, McEachern Indians, a run for their money. With pivotal pieces to both teams making their departure like Dustin Ladson and the girls’ entire starting lineup, we may have some work to do to reach McEachern’s level, but the one thing that both coaches try do instill in their players, from day one, is hard work so it is almost guaranteed that we will get there no matter what.
Although losing many of her rotation players from last year like Kierra York and Laren VanArsdale, Coach Milam has faith that her younger players will pick up the slack. One of the biggest problems for both teams is their size and their lack of post play. For a matter of fact, the amount of guards on each team and the depth at that position, is insane, and it really put our coaches in a tough spot, especially when it comes to making cuts and putting the team together. On the other hand, it can prove to be a good problem because, for years, Hillgrove has been known to have this underdog mentality and the height problem would only add to that. Also, the amount of competition that stems from having so many players fighting for the same position, it can really prove to help them grow as athletes more than any practice or any game could. Players, like Orry and Jaiden or Michelle and Breah, pushing one another to be the best versions of themselves can only prove to make the team better in the long run.
After being region runner-ups last year, the girls are just itching to be the first team to win region this year. Coach Milam even said that that was the main thing she was looking forward to this year with her new squad, and seniors Desirae Webster, Michelle Smith, and Camryn Johnson expect nothing but that from this year’s upcoming season. The girls even managed to take things up a notch with Desirae saying that “we’re going past the elite eight this year” and Michelle following it up and saying “we’re going to state,” showing just how much confidence they have in their team and even in themselves. After all, when you are climbing a mountain the only way to go is up, and, as of right now, that region championship is sitting right at the top looking down at them, and they are ready for the challenge.
Not only are the girls eager to start the new season, but the boys this year feel like they have something to prove and they are ready, more than ever, to show the rest of the region what they can do. Junior James Brock said that the one thing he is looking forward to most is the amount of competition, not just within the region, but within the very own locker room, and that “it will be exciting to see how things play out.” Senior Lance Wise said that he is looking forward to playing because of the chemistry he has built with this team, having the most varsity experience on the team, and that he is excited to actually see how good they perform on the court, because of their knowledge of each others’ game.
Coach Morris often preaches about how important it is to have good chemistry with your teammates because, for those 4 months of basketball, you will probably be spending more time with them than anyone else, even your own family. More often than not, good chemistry is what determines your team’s success. Bad chemistry is what tore legends like Shaq and Kobe apart. Bad chemistry is what destroys a team. Bad chemistry is what sets the good teams apart from the great ones, and when it is crunch time it shows. Last year the girls won some close games because of them working as a team, while the boys found themselves falling short in some because of what was a “lack of togetherness,” said Lance, and some bad decision making on their part, but this year it will be different. No, this year will be great because here at Hillgrove we don’t settle for just being good we want to be great and with coaches like Coach Milam and Coach Morris leading the way that’s exactly what we’ll be.
As I said earlier, this year will be a year to remember for both teams because of one thing, their teamwork. Lance said that his main goal for this season, besides getting his three-point percentage up, was to get more people involved. After all, moving the ball is one of the key components to both our teams’ offenses and, in order to succeed, we will need to excel at it. So expect a lot of alley-oops between him and Jaiden this year because, like Jaiden said, “the ball moves fastest when it’s in the air.”
This year teamwork and togetherness is what defines these teams, because, for the most part, these guys and girls grew up playing together and they have been through it all with one another. The chemistry is strong in these two teams and it will only get better as the season goes on and as the wins start coming, but what good is winning if you don’t have anyone there to cheer you on? Come out and support your Hillgrove Hawks in what should be an amazing season, rather than just hearing about it on the announcements wishing you were there to see it. These boys and girls put themselves on the line for this team, and, as fans, we are a part of this team and it is our job to see them through all the ups and downs because hooping season is finally upon us ladies and gentlemen so let’s make the most of it.