Brandon varsity boys basketball coach Tim Donnan can already see progress from the Blackhawks in his second year at the helm.
As the Blackhawks prepare for their Dec. 6 opener against visiting Goodrich, Donnan said the team has a much better grasp of his system and what he expects from them.
‘We’re way ahead of where we were last year,? he said. ‘Last year, we were introducing everything. This year, they guys know what to run and execute.?
Last year, Brandon went 4-17 overall and 4-8 in Flint Metro League play, finishing fifth in the league.
One of the main differences between last year and this year is the number of seniors on the team. While the 2004-05 Blackhawks had only one senior (Brandon Olejnik), the Blackhawks have seven seniors among the nine returning players on this year’s team.
Donnan said that should make a difference in the team’s play this season.
‘You win and have success when you have seniors and leadership,? he said. ‘There’s a little more sense of urgency. Our intensity and work ethic have definitely improved.?
Among the returning players are senior Donald Carter, a second team All-League selection in 2004-05; senior Adam Howard, a three-year varsity player; junior Adrian Harges, who returns at point guard; senior Gary Glasby, an honorable mention all-league selection last season; and senior center Erik Allar, whom Donnan said ‘should bring us a lot of production in the middle.?
In addition, Donnan said the Blackhawks should have three solid players off the bench in junior Phil Sache, senior Ryan Smith and senior Jerry Cronk.
Donnan said the Blackhawks did a lot of work in the offseason, noting that each returning player put on 10-15 pounds of muscle through work in the weight room.
Also, those players who were not playing a fall or spring sport worked on running, conditioning and agility, and took part in shooting drills and three-man workouts. In June, the varsity and junior varsity players played 30 games in a three-week span before heading back to the Brandon gym for conditioning.
Donnan said the team was ‘very dedicated? in their offseason program.
As far as goals for this year, Donnan said each player has set three individual and team goals for the season, with each individual being accountable for their personal goals and the team holding each other accountable for the team goals.
‘I kind of look at our team as ‘ours?,? he said. ‘It may be my program, but it’s our team. I think it will be pretty exciting to see the kids try and reach their goals.?
Donnan expects the Flint Metro race this year to once again be competitive. He said Lapeer West and Lapeer East (who tied for the league title last year), should figure into the race this season along with Fenton and Oxford.
However, he expects the Blackhawks will be right in the mix for the league title. One particular quirk in this year’s league schedule, Donnan said, is the fact the Blackhawks do not play a league game until after Christmas, which allows Flint Metro teams more time to get prepared for one another.
‘It should be very interesting,? he said.