WE’RE JUST FEW SHORT WEEKS INTO THE WINTER PREP SPORTS SEASON AND THE CODY BRONCS BASKETBALL TEAM HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THEIR SKILLS ON THE HARDWOOD IN FRONT OF THEIR COACHES. ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES THIS UNIT RIGHT NOW IS ENTHUSIASTIC. THIS IS A VETERAN LADEN GROUP THAT IS BIGGER, FASTER AND STRONGER THAN A YEAR AGO. HEAD COACH OF THE BRONCS JAKE KRAFT IS EXCITED ABOUT THE RETURNING TALENT AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE.
“I FEEL LIKE THIS YEAR GOING IN, IS MUCH MORE SOLIDIFIED, WITH MORE SENIORS, MORE LEADERSHIP, MORE GUYS WITH VARSITY MINUTES. A YEAR AGO WE HAD ONE GUY RETURNING WITH VARSITY EXPERIENCE, THIS YEAR WE HAVE SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN ON A VARSITY FLOOR. SO THAT’S BEEN EXCITING TO SEE AND I THINK IT’S SHOWING IN OUR PRACTICE.”
THIS YEAR’S SQUAD IS GOING TO BE A STINGY GROUP, ONE THAT HOPES TO HOLD THEIR OPPONENTS TO UNDER 50 POINTS A GAME. COACH KRAFT ON THE EMPHASIS AT PRACTICE THIS WEEK.
ON THE DEFENSIVE END WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO COMMUNICATE CAUSE WE ARE GOING TO GET BEAT FROM TIM-TO-TIME, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO ROTATE. SO OUR ROTATIONS HAVE TO GET BETTER, SOONER. THEN ON THE OFFENSIVE END WE JUST REALLY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE BASKETBALL AND MAKE SURE THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE SHOOTING IN THE RIGHT SPOTS.”
AS FOR WHAT FANS CAN EXPECT TO SEE ON THE COURT, WATCH FOR FAST PACED ACTION AND A TEAM THAT SHARES THE ROCK.
“WE WANT TO PLAY UP-TEMPO, I THINK MOST TEAMS DO. WE ALSO WANT TO GUARD THE BASKETBALL AND WE WANT TO HELP GUARD THE BASKETBALL. IF WE CAN DO THOSE THINGS I THINK WE’LL BE SUCCESSFUL. IT’S PRETTY FUN TO WATCH WHEN THE BALL IS MOVING AROUND. IF WE SHARE THE BALL COLLECTIVELY I THINK WE’LL BE SUCCESSFUL AND I THINK THIS GROUP HAS IT THEM TO DO JUST THAT. I DON’T FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A MAJOR SUPERSTAR BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF PIECES TO THE PUZZLE WHEN PUT TOGETHER THAT WILL BE VERY EFFECTIVE AS A GROUP.”
AND COACH KRAFT GOES ON TO HIGHLIGHT THREE SENIORS WHO COULD BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER EARLY ON.
YOU KNOW INDIVIDUALLY IF I HAD TO NOTE A FEW KIDS: I THINK OUR MOST EXPERIENCED RETURNER MIGHT BE HUNTER HAYS AT A GUARD POSITION. COY NOVAKOVICH WILL BE HANDLING THE BALL FOR US QUITE OFTEN. OUR INSIDE BREAKTHROUGH GUY LAST YEAR WAS DUNCAN RADAKOVICH AND HOPEFULLY WE’RE ABLE TO USE HIS SIZE AND HIS ABILITY TO FINISH AROUND THE RIM TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE INSIDE.”
THE BRONCS WILL BE HOLDING AN INTER-SQUAD SCRIMMAGE ON SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 12 NOON THAT’S FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL GAME OF THE SEASON IS ON THE ROAD DECEMBER 12-14TH WHEN THEY TAKE PART IN THE GILLETTE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.
