Constantly new coaching staff seems to be a universal problem for Marshall sports teams. Teams from all seasons have had to deal with losing part or all of the coaching staff, presenting the challenge of adapting to a new coaching style.
The boy’s basketball program is no exception. After losing head coach Bobby Forst, current head coach Dan Hale was hired to take over the program.
“The change in coaching staff along with an entirely new system has definitely been difficult to adjust to,” senior varsity basketball player Mo Samantar said. “We run a completely different offense and defense, so the learning process has been tough.”
However, despite the shift in playing style, the team feels that once they get the hang of it, they will start to see its benefits.
“Coach Hale is a perfect fit for our team, emphasizing synergy and hustle as two big keys to success,” sophomore varsity team member Connor Barrand said.
The new offense, which according to junior varsity basketball player Aaron Aggen “suits [the team’s] size and speed,” revolves around overcoming one of the team’s biggest challenges—size.
The team’s hustle in all aspects of the game along with solid outside shooting are what will bring success to the inexperienced team, which has three seniors, the only returning varsity players.
“We don’t have anyone who was a big contributor to last year’s team,” Aggen said. “Our senior leadership, which is still very strong, lacks in number.”
Last year, nine players graduated, five of whom were the team’s starting five. They provided the dominant physical presence that helped guide the team to an appearance in last year’s district final.
The problems the team will face due to the lack of size, as well as playing under a new system, were apparent in the 50 to 61 loss against Centerville High School last Tuesday.
“We were running our offense moderately well, but without much intensity or fluidity,” junior varsity team member Ryan Moore said. “It was easily apparent that their size was a downfall for us, especially down low getting rebounds.”
Though size may be an issue with establishing a presence under the basket, the players understand that this weakness plays into the team’s strengths.
“Our lack of size goes hand in hand with our most definitive strength of our team which is our ability to run the floor,” Samantar said.
Moore agreed: “We’re going to have to make up for not being as big by pushing the ball harder than the other teams.”
“Our hustle defense is what keeps us in games,” Barrand said. “And once we get the new offense running crisply, we are going to start winning a good amount of games.”
“Our abilities are above what many people give us credit for,” Aggen said. “While we may be young and have much to improve on to learn the offense and the defense, we are going to be in almost every game. Look for the team to surprise people this year and do well in the district.”