The East Central Eagles basketball program will be looking to its depth to give them success as they head into the 2018 season. The Eagles return a strong senior core that will be leading the team along with a large group of sophomores who will be getting a lot of playing time. The Eagles finished 10-16 last year falling to Braham in the first round of the playoffs.
The East Central Boys Basketball preview with Darren Fogt:
What are you most excited for this year?
This year I am most excited for the process to continue. Last year was my first year as varsity coach and I learned a lot considering use of time and how change is gradual. I have a ton of ideas I consider great, but those things take time. There are changes being made however, the "culture" that coaches always talk about is changing. We have raised our expectation level. I see it in the kids, they are coming in with the knowledge that if they continue on this path, we will succeed. I believe they trust the process, and that makes coaching them easier.
How is the roster shaping up? Do you have a lot of new players? Are you returning
a lot of players? Younger? Older? Etc.
Our team has 2 returning starters that are seniors and three other seniors that saw significant playing time returning. We have a small Junior class, and then we have 6-7 sophomores that will have to mature in a hurry. We had good participation in summer basketball and these kids have continued to work hard. We plan on playing quite a few guys possibly going 10-12 deep on a regular basis. It should be a fun year, everyone will have a chance to show what they can do.
Who are a couple athletes that will stand out?
The main guy that will stand out for us is Barrett Peterson, he is the type of kid that can hit 10 3's on any given night, and he has the green light to shoot them. We have a strong post presence in Colton Klocke and if he keeps things going in the right direction he should be an automatic double double guy.
What are your goals?
Our main goal as a team is to always be a tough out. Even when we are overmatched physically we want to be a group that will scrap and claw and always help on defense, get the loose balls, box out even if the guy is way bigger than us. At the end of the night we never want to think that we could have given more effort, that starts with the coaches and goes down to the players. Our team will show INTENSITY, DISCIPLINE AND UNITY at all times is a goal that we strive for.
Favorite upcoming games, matches, or meets?
I think the kids really enjoy playing Hinckley because they know so many people and are neighbors with so many people that attend Hinckley, it's always a good time and the gym is always full. Those are the best games. Personally I like playing Pine City. Kyle Allen has a done a great job with that team and that's who I measure us against. I've gotten to be friends with Kyle and we have a good time coaching against each other.
Anything else?
We have some kids that are incredibly great kids and they will be very good high school basketball players. Our system is coming together, we will ALWAYS fight. There will be no quit. There will be no settling. This life is too short to leave anything in the tank. The kids that play on this team are not only exceptional people, they are people that know what hard work and commitment to something bigger than yourself is all about. That will transfer to the rest of their lives.
Photo Credit to Jesse Logan: Pine City Blogspot
