Boy's Basketball Preparing for the Season

Sports

Boy's Basketball Preparing for the Season

Ben Farynowski - December 13, 2011

Grandview Heights High School Boy’s Basketball team looks forward to the start of yet another exciting season.

Grandview Heights High School set many athletic records for fall sports that will probably last for a very long time. From the historic football season going undefeated to the boy’s soccer team winning districts for only the second time, this was the man of Grandview’s year to shine.

The winter is now quickly approaching and new teams are preparing to continue the already very impressive year. One of the most anticipated winter sport teams is the boy’s basketball team.The winter is now quickly approaching and new teams are preparing to continue the already very impressive year. One of the most anticipated winter sport teams is the boy’s basketball team.

Lead by five returning seniors, the basketball team has high expectations when it comes to this season. When asked for a prediction about the upcoming season, returning senior Dakota Williams commented “We'll probably be one of the top teams in the league if not the best, and we should make it to the Coliseum.”

The coaching staff of the team this year is stronger then ever. With the addition of former Ohio State basketball player and previous girl’s basketball coach, Steve Hall, the experience and skill amongst the coaching staff is more than impressive.

Leadership is a large part of a team working together to accomplish one common goal. This is one area that this year’s team excels in.

Other significant returners include junior point guard Adam Cincione, and forwards Andy Treasure (junior) and Luke Miller (sophomore).

One advantage the boy’s basketball team has is experience with high-level competition. A majority of this competition comes from AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball leagues that some players participate in.

Andy Treasure has been playing in the AAU basketball leagues for five years on three different teams. Treasure says he feels like playing at the high level of competitions AAU basketball provides gives him an advantage when it comes to playing in high school.

Luke Miller said “It made me more confident to play in High School.”

Senior Guard Dakota Williams further explains when asked if he thinks AAU basketball has given him an advantage in high school, “I think so because with AAU you play against and with a lot of talent. It just gets you ready because you're playing against such good people.”

More then half of the starting line up this year has participated in AAU basketball. This provides excellent leadership that will reflect over the entire team. These players who take playing basketball to that next level will bring the team up to allow them to compete with big and better teams.

When asked about the strengthens of the basketball team, Williams said, “Scoring is our best strength. Our team this year doesn't have a specific player that we rely on to score, everybody can contribute and at almost any point in time any of the five guys on the court can get hot. I feel very good about this year, we've got a very deep team this year especially at the guard position.”

Treasure pointed out other strengths, which includes their defense and most importantly, their intimidation factor. The boy’s basketball team is not only skilled but is very big.

With over half of the varsity team standing over six feet tall, the intimidation factor comes automatically. The basketball team has been preparing for over a month now, this includes lifting weights and having many physically hard practices.

Treasure also pointed out an interesting record that he set last year. He broke the record for most technical fouls in any one four-year career in one season.

Some things the players say they can improve on are the small things. Treasure and Williams agree that they need to improve ball handling, communication and turnovers.

The Grandview Heights Boy’s Basketball team is looking forward to a very successful season ahead of them. Lead by five seniors they are looking to exceed preset high expectations. The boys start their season December 10, 2011 against Fisher Catholic.